Volume 48
Number 15
November 25, 2002
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TO ALL PERSONNEL (Rebecca Owens, Employee Benefits Supervisor)
Employee Benefits has the following announcements
Where to vote | Rules for voting | Frequently Asked Questions

 

Health Insurance Vote

In order to address the increasing cost of health care, Knox County Schools put out a request for proposal for health insurance with the help of Risk Consultants, Inc. and the KCEA Insurance Committee. The proposed plan that has been recommended has been tested and proven to meet or exceed the current State plan offered by at least 95%. Knox County Schools will conduct an election of eligible employees on Monday, November 25, 2002. Eligible employees will be voting on whether or not they want to leave the current State plan and go on the proposed plan. The ballot question will read:


Do you want to maintain the current health insurance benefit package offered by the State of Tennessee?

  • Yes         Yes indicates you keep the current plan which includes Blue Cross Blue Shield and John Deere.
  • No           No indicates you want to come off the State of Tennessee plan and enroll in either the Cariten or new John Deere plan.


A majority of eligible employees (fifty % plus one) must vote to leave the current State health insurance plan.

Where Do I Vote


It is important that everyone who is eligible to vote cast a vote on November 25, 2002. Eligible employees can vote at their schools or at one of the following locations:

  • Maintenance 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
  • Knox Central 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
  • Historic Knoxville High 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
  • Andrew Johnson Building 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • KCEA Office 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Rules for Voting

  • Employees vote once
  • Eligible voters are employees who work 30 hours a week and are eligible for insurance.
  • Employees must use ink to mark their vote
  • Ballot is not valid unless signed & dated
  • Election will be held on November 25, 2002 at a staff meeting
  • The number of ballots must match the number of signatures
  • If the voting is not in compliance with the rules the vote(s) will be tossed out and not counted.

Frequently asked Questions

  • Who gets to vote?

    Employees that are eligible for insurance. Employees must work 30 hours a week or currently have insurance under one of the grandfather provisions. This is addressed in T.C.A. §8-27-302(b).
  • Can we vote on another day other than November 25, 2002?

    No, voting will only be allowed on November 25, 2002.
  • If we vote to leave the State plan, how long do we have to stay off the plan?

    The local education plan will not be available for 24 months if we leave the State Plan.
  • How long are the rates on the new plan guaranteed?

    Knox County Schools asked for a three-year rate guarantee but none of the vendors were willing to give more than a one-year rate.
  • What did the consultant recommend?

    The consultant recommended staying with the State Plan.
  • What are the big differences in the new plans?

    U.T. Hospital is not included in the John Deere PPO and Baptist Hospital is not included in the Cariten POS or HMO. All local hospitals are in the State plan.
  • Will I be able to keep Blue Cross/Blue Shield if we go off the State Plan?

    If Knox County Schools goes off the State plan, all employees, all retirees and all COBRA participants must come off the State plan.
  • What are the advantages of staying with the State plan according to the consultant?

    The State plan has a more extensive PPO network with the present Blue Cross/Blue Shield in comparison to the John Deere PPO network.
  • The State plan has a more extensive POS network with the present John Deere in comparison to the Cariten network. The State plan has a more extensive HMO network with the present John Deere in comparison to the Cariten network. On the whole, the State plans are slightly better from a benefit standpoint than the Cariten/John Deere plans. Cariten has a Best financial rating of C, which is weak. Employees or dependents residing outside Tennessee (retirees, COBRA participants, students or divorced spouses) have a national hospital/physician network with Blue Cross/Blue Shield under the State PPO. Under the John Deere PPO, benefits will be paid on an out-of-network level basis unless it is emergency care or approved treatment of a chronic condition.
  • Why did we put out a Request For Proposal (RFP) for health insurance?

    Knox County Schools put out an RFP because employees were complaining about the high cost of insurance and they wanted to see if we could get insurance cheaper from someone else.
  • Why did we not participate with Knox County Government in their insurance bid?

    Local education participants must demonstrate that the plan is equal or superior to state-sponsored coverage or BEP funds ($7.5 Million) may be in jeopardy. Local government does not have this requirement. Also, Knox County Schools must poll eligible employees before they leave the State plan. Local government does not have this requirement.
  • Am I going to have to pay more money for health insurance premiums in 2003?

    On Wednesday, November 6, 2002, the Knox County School Board voted to pick up the entire increase in health insurance premiums from the State of Tennessee. Please thank Dr. Lindsey and all members of the Board of Education for doing this. The premiums for health insurance will be the same as they were last year.