More Changes Proposed for ELCA Health Plan

     MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Trustees of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Board of Pensions approved health plan changes in pharmacy, dental, chiropractic and managed mental health care coverage for almost 50,000 ELCA pastors and employees, when they met here Feb. 4-6.
     The ELCA Church Council must approve the changes in April, if they are to go into effect by Jan. 1, 2001.  Pharmacy changes would take effect July 1.
     If approved, the changes would mean: + Eckerd Health Services will handle all claims for drugs, which will include three categories: generic, preferred brand names and non-preferred (generally new drugs on the market).  Plan members will pay a higher amount for non-preferred drugs.  Nationwide, prescription drug costs are rising 20 percent a year. + ValueOptions, which has pastoral counselors in its network, will manage all mental health and substance abuse benefits.  Using a "wellness approach," the plan will include new, selected benefits such as counseling for marriage, family and career. + A company yet to be selected will manage dental claims. + Chiropractic care will be coordinated by each medical benefits provider. + Seabury & Smith will process medical claims for plan members under Standard Benefits (the Board's indemnity plan) and retired members with Medicare Supplement benefits.
     The trustees noted in the recommendation that the changes are an effort to "better control costs while maintaining a comprehensive and competitive medical and dental benefits plan."
     "The change in the Board of Pensions from a passive to a more active approach in health care in the two years since I've been on the board is terrific.  I commend this," said Jon B. Christianson, trustee, Arden Hills, Minn.
     Trustees briefly discussed a proposal they adopted in November. The proposal would revise health plan rates so they're adjusted for geographic differences in health care costs.  It also allows for sharing of the costs of the health plan on a synod-by-synod basis rather than across the ELCA.  If the ELCA Church Council approves it in April, the new rate structure will be implemented over a two-year period.
     David G. Adams, vice president of research and design, reported that staff members are meeting with each of the 65 synod bishops to discuss proposed rate details. LOW PENSIONERS
     Another matter of concern to synod bishops are those pastors who retire with low pensions -- an issue staff and trustees have discussed before.
     "I'd like this to be resolved before the next churchwide assembly," said Earl L. Mummert, board chair, Harrisburg, Pa.  The next assembly will be in August 2001.
     "We have to sort out how many of these low pensioners really do need assistance," said the Rev. James S. Aull, Columbia, S.C.  "Some, especially lay people, work in part-time positions and have pensions from another source, too."
     Janet Huber Neff, Royersford, Pa., underscored a commitment to work on a plan despite any problems identifying who needs help and how it's delivered.
     "It's been astonishing to me while on this board to learn that the number of those people is in the thousands rather than hundreds," said the Rev. Kenneth R. Olsen, bishop of the ELCA's Metropolitan Chicago Synod.
     The trustees took no action but will review again the needs of low pensioners.
     Trustees also looked at challenges coming in the health care field.  Christianson cited new therapies and experimental drugs, many with hefty price tags.  "They will raise financial and moral issues for our church," he said.  "There'll be lots of pressure to come up with a solution."

[*Sonia Solomonson is managing editor of The Lutheran magazine.]

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
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