State Health Benefits Commission Open Session Minutes

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silverbadge
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State Health Benefits Commission Open Session Minutes

Post by silverbadge »

State Health Benefits Commission Open Session Minutes

September 14, 2022
Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided through the annual notice of the schedule of
regular meetings of the Commission filed with and prominently posted in the offices of the
Secretary of State. The 2022 annual meeting schedule was mailed to the Secretary of State on
December 10, 2021, and Star Ledger and the Trenton Times on December 15, 2021. Updates
regarding the telephonic meeting were sent to the Secretary of State, the Star Ledger, the
Trenton Times and posted to the division’s website on September 9th, 2022.
The meeting of the State Health Benefits Commission of New Jersey was called to order on
Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 10 am. Due to health and safety concerns for the public
regarding COVID-19, the meeting of September 14, 2021, was not be held in-person and instead
be conducted via teleconference.
The text of Resolution A (Closed Session) and Resolution B (Executive Session) were read in their
entirety in the event that the Commission desires, at any point in the meeting, to approve a
motion to go into Closed or Executive session.
Acting Secretary Jeff Ignatowitz led the pledge of allegiance. Acting Secretary Ignatowitz took
Roll Call and established that a quorum was present.
Commissioners:
Danielle Schimmel, representing State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio
Gail Simon, representing Commissioner of the Department of Banking and Insurance Marlene
Caride
Deirdre Webster Cobb
Jennifer Higgins
Dudley Burdge, Representative for Local Government Employees

Also Present:
Alison Keating, Deputy Attorney General
Theresa Williams, Division of Pensions and Benefits
Nicole Ludwig, Division of Pensions and Benefits
Jeff Ignatowitz, Division of Pensions and Benefits
Donna Ruotola, Horizon
Michele Engle, Aon
Joe Taffy, Aon
Danielle Schimmel introduced herself as the new designated C

RATE RENEWALS
The Commissioners had received documents which displayed the recommended rates for Plan
Year 2023, for the state SHBP and the local SHBP.
Commissioner Burdge made a note that he had requested that a number of items be on the
agenda and discussed before the rate renewals began. Reports concerning the rates would
directly impact renewal, and the contracts are set to expire at the end of the calendar year and
there may be companies with better pricing.
4
Commissioner Schimmel advised that the renewal process has been consistent with years prior
with the notable exception that this year the division and its vendors have been more responsive
and provided more information to the unions and stakeholder requests than in prior years.
Commissioner Burdge noted that in years past the carriers would be present and available to
answer questions, and that a rate increase like the one proposed would mean a mass exodus
from the Local governments.
Commissioner Schimmel advised that the process has not changed from years prior, with the
exception that the conversion was more dynamic over the last two months, with more
information provided directly from the vendors.
Michele Engle and Joe Taffy from Aon spoke about the recommended premium increases for the
state and then the local government. Mr. Taffy outlined the proposed changes from what was
presented on July 13th, which were two resolutions that were adopted and approved. The first
was that active specialist copays for the HMO, Tiered Network, CWA Unity, CWA Unity 2019, NJ
Direct and NJ Direct 2019 were increased to be $15 higher than the current PCP co-pay. The
second resolution was adopted that increased Urgent Care copays for those same plan options
to be $30 higher than the current PCP copay. There would be no change for the early retiree or
Medicare retiree population.
Commissioner Schimmel made a motion to approve the state and local rates. Commissioner
Simon seconded. Commissioners Schimmel, Simon and Cobb voted in favor. Commissioner
Higgins voted against. Commissioner Burdge voted to abstain. The motion passed, the rates
were approved.
Commissioner Burdge noted that had the rates been voted on separately, he would have voted
to approve to state rates and vote against the local rates.
Commissioner Higgins asked if funds from the American Rescue Plan are going to be used to
coverage some of the increase in rates. Commissioner Schimmel advised that this forum would
not be able to answer that question.
Commissioner Cobb made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Simon seconded. Commissioner
Simon, Cobb and Schimmel voted in favor. Commissioners Burdge and Higgins voted against. The
motion passed on a vote of three to two. The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,


Nicole Ludwig
Acting Secretary
State Health Benefits Commission


Meetings are held every other month at 10:00 A.M.

January 12, 2022
March 9, 2022
May 11, 2022
July 13, 2022*
July 25, 2022 - meeting to be held at 12 p.m.
September 14, 2022
November 9, 2022
Due to health and safety concerns for the public regarding COVID-19, the State Health Benefits Commission will be conducted via teleconference until further notice. Members of the public may attend the meetings telephonically by dialing 877-336-4440; Access Code: 2534021

*Rate Renewal Meetings held at 12:00 P.M.
silverbadge
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Posts: 158
Joined: Fri May 18, 2018 3:21 pm

Re: State Health Benefits Commission Open Session Minutes

Post by silverbadge »

my (bi weekly) contribution went up quite a bit

january 2022 Pre-Tax Health/PD & YTD $296.00
january 2023 Pre-Tax Health/PD & YTD $365.00

Specialist co pay doubled from $15 to $30
Last edited by silverbadge on Wed Feb 01, 2023 7:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Crabby757
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Re: State Health Benefits Commission Open Session Minutes

Post by Crabby757 »

Lets see how 105 can screw us this year.
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