MOST INNOVATIVE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
City of Cocoa, FL
SUPERSTARS 2010 Christina M. Mull
HUMAN RESOURCES BENEFITS COORDINATOR
Plan Changes Met Favorably by City Employees
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uring these difficult economic times, governments are faced with making tough decisions on benefits coverage that affects their most valuable assets—employees. The City of Cocoa’s Insurance Task Force, led by Christina M. Mull, Human Resources benefits coordinator, made changes to the current benefit plans, resulting in a 3% renewal rate increase. How was this possible? Although a task force had been in place for years, serious changes were not made until 2006. As everyone knows, health care premiums have risen faster than inflation for many years, and the tough job ahead was to make those necessary changes. Some of the changes were recommended based on the experience rating and looking at trends on plan usage. Copayments were changed to reduce the usage of emergency care for routine illnesses. Three different levels of coverage were offered to give employees the choice of plan, and they can pay to “upgrade” to a higher level coverage than the core plan. No way is this an easy feat when you have three bargaining units that review and recommend the plans. However, with Mull’s leadership, the changes were implemented without any discontent. Another change was to offer an additional tier of coverage. Most plans offer single, spousal, or family coverage. However, to reduce the premium rate for single parents, the
implementation of an employee and child(ren) tier was developed. This saves the single parent monthly premium costs. Also implemented with great success was a Medicare Advantage Plan product for retirees who receive benefits for life. This plan removes the retirees from the employee group experience rating and costs about half of the group plan. Additionally, the city reimburses the retirees the monthly Medicare Part B cost on a quarterly basis. This reimbursement is an essential benefit and generally pays for the copayments for doctors or prescription costs. “At one point, employees could retire with health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and the city contributes 100% of the premium; in other words, free health insurance for life,” Mull said. “Unfortunately, this is no longer offered to employees. However, I am still in communication with the retirees who were eligible for this benefit.” Mull has about 122 retirees who still get benefits through the city. Not only does Cocoa still provide for them, the retirees give back through their remembrances of simpler times. “I really enjoy visiting with the retirees,” Mull said. “They are generous enough to share with their stories of the city of Cocoa when they were employed. That is 30 years ago for some retirees.” She also administers the city’s wellness program, which encourages employees to implement healthy lifestyles. Employees can earn points by having annual wellness checkups, eye visits, and bi-annual dental visits. Point can be accumulated to purchase wellness items. For city employees, local vendors participate in the annual wellness fair, which features information and services to maintain wellness and a healthy lifestyle. “All in all, my biggest joy is providing employees with assistance,” Mull said. “It makes me happy that I can be here for the employee and assist them with any questions they may have.” ;
www.cdhcsolutionsmag.com
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Organization: City of Cocoa Headquarters: Cocoa, FL Website: www.cocoafl.org No. of employees: 449 active, 122 retired Nature of business: The city of Cocoa is a government that provides community-supported services and programs designed to assure the safety and well being of all Cocoa’s residents and visitors. Key executives: Anne M. Allen, Human Resources manager Wendy Widmann, Administrative Services director Melinda Keesee, Human Resources coordinator, Risk and Safety Lisa Jones, Human Resources technician Jonnie Anderson, Human Resources office specialist Key solution providers: Aetna, medical, dental, and FSA Humana CompBenefits, vision Lincoln Financial Group, life and disability Horizon Health, employee assistance program Aflac, voluntary benefits
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