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UNC System considering
alternatives to health plan
Expanded medical coverage, increased plan options and improved communication were among the “wish list” items mentioned that university employees are hopeful will be included in a revamped state health plan.
Kitty McCollum, associate vice president for human resources and university benefits officer for the University of North Carolina System, was on hand at recent faculty and staff senate meetings to solicit feedback from employees on what they would like to see included in a new health plan for systemwide university employees.
UNC President Molly Broad has formed a steering committee and hired a consultant to develop a proposal for an alternative health plan that would be made available to all university employees in lieu of the current plan. The committee plans to present its findings to the UNC Board of Governors in March. If endorsed by the board, the proposal would be presented to the N.C. General Assembly during the 2005 legislative session.
McCollum presented the results of an employee satisfaction survey and a study of 18 other research universities and their employee health coverage that showed that “university employees are not satisfied with their health coverage” when compared with other institutions.
According to the employee survey, which was conducted online and by telephone in late October, 57.8 percent of employees said they were satisfied with their health plan, compared to 81.4 percent at other employers.
In comparing the UNC System to other institutions, the study found that UNC requires employees to cover a higher percentage of out-of-pocket costs (20 percent) than other universities (14 percent). The study also showed that UNC pays nothing toward coverage of dependents. Other universities, on average, pay 64 percent of dependent costs.
Providing coverage for spouses and dependents was among the recommendations given to McCollum. Others included incorporating dental and vision care into the plan, offering an array of health plan options, improving communication about plans and prescription drugs, and offering general fitness and wellness incentives.
McCollum said utilizing clinical and facilities resources such as student health centers and gyms that are already in place at UNC System schools is an option that could help lower costs and expand health care options.
“We don’t have all the answers,” she said. “What we do know is that the plan would have to be cost neutral. Whatever the state is currently allocating to the university [system] for health plan coverage, that’s what we’re going to get. So we’re going to have to make the best use of it and figure out how we can best utilize the funds that we do have.”
Before making a proposal to the Board of Governors, officials will conduct forums and focus groups at UNC System campuses in the spring.
“Other universities in the country have their own health plan, and it works for them,” McCollum said. “We think it can work for us.”
Posted December 17, 2004
All Rights Reserved
