ELCA saves $167,000 on 2009 health benefits costs so far

by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service*

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is saving
up to $167,000 this year on health benefits costs because
of discounts from the ELCA Board of Pensions, Minneapolis,
according to the Board's May 28 news release. The ELCA's
65 synods, eight seminaries and other churchwide ministries
are eligible for the discounts. They earn 2 percent
discounts on ELCA health contributions when 75 percent of
their respective employees and spouses, who receive
ELCA-primary health benefits, complete an online Mayo
Clinic Health Assessment.

Reaching the 75 percent mark in April were the ELCA Northwest
Synod of Wisconsin, Rice Lake, which saved $40,000; Lutheran
School of Theology at Chicago ($13,000) and Wartburg
Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa ($11,000). They join the
ELCA Board of Pensions ($43,000); Luther Seminary, St.
Paul, Minn. ($33,000); Lutheran Theological Seminary at
Gettysburg, Pa. ($10,000); Lutheran Theological Southern
Seminary, Columbia, S.C. ($8,000); and Trinity Lutheran
Seminary, Columbus, Ohio ($9,000), which earned discounts
for 2009.

Plan members and spouses who complete the health assessment
receive a $100 credit that goes into a personal wellness
account to offset out-of-pocket medical costs. The ELCA
Board of Pensions said it developed the financial incentive
to encourage the health plan's eligible pastors, church
workers and spouses to tend to their well-being by using
health benefits proactively. The 2009 Mayo Clinic Health
Assessment is open to plan members through Sept. 30.

*Information provided by Kami Lund, marketing and
communications, ELCA Board of Pensions