Healthcare Provider Swap Saves Shorewood Schools $537,000
School officials dump WEA Trust for another provider, but will stick with the state's largest teachers union for dental insurance.
School officials dropped Wisconsin Education Association Trust as its employee health care provider Tuesday, saving Shorewood schools an estimated $537,000 in the 2012-13 school year.
A one-year contract with Wisconsin Counties Association Group Health Trust goes into effect on July 1. WCA was chosen from among four other providers.
WCA Trust is a subsidiary of an association with the same name, that provides local governments coverage from reputable private sector companies, according to its website.
Business Manager Mark Boehlke said district employees will not see any changes in their plans other than the amount they pay per month. Annual premiums will fall by $114 for single coverage and $206 for family coverage.
"It's the same plan design, it's the same network," Boehlke said.
The district did stick with WEA Trust for dental coverage. The district's premium decreases 4.1 percent, or $8,858, from this year. Employees will also see a reduction in their premiums under the new plan on July 1.
WEA is a nonprofit insurance organization created by the Wisconsin Education Association Council, the state's largest teachers union.
In December, the School Board hired healthcare insurance consultant the Horton Group, which helped the district navigate the market and recommended the providers the officials approved on Tuesday.
Boehlke said while the district only approved one-year contracts with the two insurance providers, WCA guaranteed the rate wouldn't increase more than 7.5 percent and WEA agreed rates wouldn’t exceed a 6 percent increase if the district decided to contract for a second year.
Shorewood signed on with Horton for a two years, so the consultant will be available when the district decides whether to continue with these providers, Boehlke said.
The Donny Show
9:13 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Wow. Collective bargaining is gone and the school districts are no longer FORCED into buying overpriced insurance from union thug run WEAT.
Walker has done nothing good for schools. Walker has done nothing good for taxpayers. Nothing.
don pavlak
10:36 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Thank you SCOTT WALKER!
The Donny Show
10:43 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
I think the SHS Union Rep Michael Halloran needs to comment on this. Please contact him. I would LOVE to see how he would spin this away from the truth.
Dave Burgess
4:38 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Have the co pays or deductibles changed?
Fastfrank
11:05 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Can't you read ? It's the same plan design and the same network. I hope you're not a Shorewood school teacher
rolando peabody
4:38 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Donny Sow - Where do you live? Pretty sure it is Grafton. So dude why do you post your stuff here? Any self respecting cat would cover it up after leaving piles like you do.
The Donny Show
11:06 am on Friday, April 20, 2012
I do not live in Grafton. Keep posting that though. It only adds to your character.
CsI
3:22 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Maybe that will mean that my $8,000+ tax bill might actually go down for a change. $8,000 for garbage pick-up.....weeeee....
dave
6:52 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Wow, the plan stays the same, and the premiums go down, and the taxpayers save hundreds of thousands of dollars. Sounds like a win-win -win. Just how much have we been getting screwed all these years?
Gordon E Lang
7:03 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
It is time for Shorewood voters to thank Governor Scott Walker and vote for him and Lt. Rebecca Kleefisch on June 5, 2012. Barrett and Falk would be a big step backward. Stand for Scott and Rebecca!!!!
Gordon E Lang
7:33 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Thanks to four of the five Shorewood WI School Board Members who did not sign the recall petition for Scott Walker. I hope that all five of the members will vote for Scoot on June 5.
Luke
12:53 am on Friday, April 20, 2012
Thank you Scott. I once had my doubts................
N. Peske
7:27 am on Friday, April 20, 2012
Cedarburg did the same thing a few years ago--so much for crediting our hopelessly corrupt governor on this one, folks. Does anyone know what happened to the premiums and copays in that situation? Have they gone up, and by how much? It sounds like a good deal until they've reeled you in and then they jack up prices--I hope the contract prevents that from happening.
Tim O'Neil
11:39 am on Friday, April 20, 2012
premiums went up every year from the union plan too. that's what premiums do.
Greg
3:00 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
Yep, the savings in Cedarburg continue today.
Luke
4:42 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
@Peske
Yes, we do credit the governor, because of the wave of similar changes that have swept school districts over the entire state over recent months.
KAV
9:48 am on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Do you also thank Scottie for making your daughters second class citizens once again by repealing 'equal pay for equal work'? Do you now realize your daughters will never be self-supporting again? I once thought Walker was misogynistic, now it has been confirmed. Walker has sent us back into the dark ages and all the republicans can do is spew the tripe they hear on talk radio. Try reading some of the bills he signs into laws or repeals. Scottie is an embarrassment to humankind.
CowDung
11:21 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
KAV:
You may want to do a bit of research into your claims about 'repealing equal pay for equal work'...
http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2012/mar/12/cory-mason/wisconsin-gop-bill-would-repeal-law-ensuring-pay-e/
Steve ®
2:26 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
Leftyville using ACT 10 to save a boat load of money. The hypocrisy is fun to ponder.
ssquared
6:15 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
Sounds to me like WEA Trust is the most profitable non profit in history.
I sell Employee benefits and a 27% cost reduction like Shorewood has recieved is unheard of.
The teachers unions in Wisconsin are guilty of Grand Theft!
Imagine how much money has been over spent over the last 20 years in this SCA M.
Mary kBell should be executed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John Q. Public
4:51 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
I love the sound of crickets from the Left when things like this happen. For those wondering about the specifics of Shorewood teachers benefits, it's been stated by WCA Services that benefits will stay identical to what they are now, with one major difference. Individual premiums paid will go DOWN slightly! God, don't you love when fiscally conservative politics works so well? How many SW teachers with RECALL WALKER signs in their front yards are going to be spending a much more prosperous summer because of the extra $$$ they're pocketing thanks to ACT 10. The hypocrisy knows no bounds.
SkinnyDude
9:59 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
All this savings never occurs if Walker and Republicans didnt have the will power to expose this WEAC FRAUD! Teachers never cared about this fraud cause they didnt pay a dime . About time they had some skin in the game so other tax payers dont have be ripped off.