Benefits Shareholders Meeting Planned

A first-of-its kind meeting is planned to involve Utah State University's faculty and staff in health care decisions. A variety of information will be available at the USU Benefits Shareholders Meeting, Monday, April 25, at 11:30 a.m. in the Stevenson Ballroom of the Taggart Student Center.

 

Topics for the meeting include discussion of a new federated model for gathering employee input on benefit planning at Utah State. The more inclusive model encourages all employees to share input with their employee association or faculty senate representatives, rather than relying on the input of a select few.

 

"The shareholder principle is that the Utah State University health benefits plan is a joint venture between the State of Utah and USU employees," said Renee Payne of the Human Resources office. "The employee shareholders retain certain inherent proprietorship and responsibilities in underwriting its success."

 

Although Utah State's benefit plan has been solidified for next year, the idea is to begin the planning for the subsequent year right away, Payne said.

 

Other topics to be discussed at the gathering include a Health Plan Report Card, information on Flex Spending and the Benny card, along with health plan changes for the coming plan year that begins July 1. A question and answer session with representatives from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Human Resources and employee association/Faculty Senate presidents is planned as well.

 

"The Classified Employee Association is participating in the meeting because every employee on campus should be involved and interested in their benefits," said Milton Johnson, CEA president. "The more we know about more effectively using our insurance helps us become better consumers, eventually saving ourselves money."

 

Marsha Howell, president of the Professional Employee Association, echoes Johnson's comments.

 

"Because all USU employees are 'shareholders' in our health benefit program, it is important that we have a voice in the decisions that are made that affect our benefit coverage," Howell said. "PEA encourages everyone to get involved and let your voice be heard."

 

Johnson said information will be provided to those attending the meeting regarding how to communicate with association leaders and representatives. "Remember, this is your insurance, you impact the way it is used and you should help make the decisions on how it should change," he said.

 

For more information, call 797-0124.