IHF - Exceptional Benefits and Value

Effective plan design is key to providing high quality, cost-effective health care to multi-employer benefit plan members. That’s long been a touchstone for the International Health Fund (IHF), which continues to provide such coverage to BAC participants. Although health care costs in 2011 rose by 8.9% in the U.S. and 11.3% in Canada, IHF has kept its cost increases at 5% for the U.S. and flat for Canada. What’s the secret to IHF’s success? “No secret – just careful attention to plan design,” says Robin Donovick, Director of the International Health Fund & Health Management Unit, adding, “plus streamlining administrative costs while maintaining a high quality Point of Service plan administered by United Healthcare and a broad network of providers by pooling risk through the IHF.”

In compliance with U.S. health care reform, IHF covers dependent children through the age of 26, has removed all lifetime limits, and covers preventive services at 100%. To date, IHF consists of 14 Local U.S. and Canadian plans in addition to four Staff and Employer Plans, with Plan Assets of $17.8 million as of December 31, 2010. By joining the IHF, each Local has access to IHF’s legal, financial and health plan administrative staff, reducing the need to budget for these resources.

During trying economic times such as these, IHF recognizes that continued eligibility is a paramount concern for BAC members and their families. IHF Trustees responded in 2010 by temporarily reducing eligibility rules to 200 hours per quarter from 300 hours per quarter to allow more members to access to IHF’s excellent benefits. The modified rule has done just that by providing coverage to almost 20% more individuals. IHF plans to keep the relaxed rules in place as long as economic conductions warrant. For members who travel for work, it is important that they forward their blanket authorization forms to the Reciprocal Clearinghouse and the local fund’s office of the jurisdiction they are working in to ensure there are no gaps in coverage.

Members who are unable to meet the eligibility criteria may keep their coverage for up to 18 months through COBRA continuation period. IHF also provides coverage for eligible retirees, in order to ensure that those members who have not met eligibility requirements for Medicare are fully covered and for those who are eligible for Medicare, are provided with an affordable supplemental plan to minimize out-of-pocket expenses. If a fully retired retiree dies, IHF provides the surviving spouse with lifetime benefits if the spouse was covered prior to the retiree’s death.

In addition to providing members with high quality benefits, IHF is also dedicated to providing members with affordable prescription drugs through BAC’s Sav RX Prescription Drug Plan. With more than 58,000 in-network pharmacies, copayments are affordable, with a 30 day supply of generic medication at $5.00 and a mail order 90-day supply of generic medications at $10.00. SavRX also offers a discount card to BAC members who currently do not have other prescription drug coverage. This the BAC’s SavRX Advantage Plan.

The Dental Plan is provided as an additional offering to IHF members at a minimal cost. The coverage is provided through Standard Insurance Company. Preventive Benefits are covered at 100%, Basic Benefits are covered at 80% and Major Benefits are covered at 50%. There is a $1,500 benefit maximum per covered member annually. Vision coverage is also provided at no additional cost.
ULLICO insurance company offers a complete Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment benefits to IHF members. These benefits are paid to the designated beneficiary according to the schedule listed below:

• $10,000 Basic Life;
• $10,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment ;
• $10,000 Workplace Accidental Death Benefit (This will be payable should a fatal accident occur in the workplace or while commuting to and from work.)

IHF remains committed to strengthening core benefits while developing innovative approaches to address particular needs of BAC members.

For additional information regarding the IHF, please contact Robin Donovick at 202-383-3976 or rdonovick@bacweb.org.