WCH board approves changes to health premiums [Daily Record, The (Wooster, OH)]

WOOSTER -- The board of governors has approved a revised health insurance plan for Wooster Community Hospital employees, leading to increases in premiums in part due to provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

Chief changes within employees' plans will be the revised contributions, well-women health benefits will be expanded (per the new law change), massage therapy co-pays will increase and the employee contribution percentage, which is currently targeted for a minimum of 19 percent of the hospital's health benefits, will continue to be monitored.

Tom Capek explained the changes to the full board after it was discussed by the human resources committee.

"Overall, payouts are down," on claims, Capek noted. And whereas the hospital is aiming to keep employees' pay-outs for claims at 19 percent, he noted the national average is 25 percent.

The hospital is self-insured, meaning it pays claims itself.

According to figures provided Wednesday, claims, participants and average monthly employee contributions have trended up. In 2012 through three quarters, the hospital has paid over $7 million in claims and premiums with employees paying $1.3 million, or 18.65 percent.

The target for this year was 17.5 percent.

Overall, the average monthly premium this year of $236.75 is an 11 percent increase over 2011. The budgeted amount for 2013 is $255.64, or an 8 percent increase. Employees saw larger increases in their monthly premiums between 2004-2007.

The board also approved another human resource committee resolution toward the hospital's non-smoking policy. Capek said the change moved it from a verbal warning to a written warning.

Capek commented on the non-smoking policy and related it to an article he read about efforts in Russia to enact similar policies.

"Yeah, but I want to know their penalty in Russia," joked Bill Sheron, hospital CEO. "It's probably more than just a written warning."

Reporter Steve Huszai can be reached at 330-287-1645 or shuszai@the-daily-record.com. He is @GeneralSmithie on Twitter.