Dear EHA Members,

On October 29th the Educators Health Alliance released the new health/dental insurance rates for 2016-2017.  In conjunction with the new rates the Educators Health Alliance and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska would like to invite our members to one of the two informational webinars on November 23rd at 9:30AM or November 30th at 3:30. 

Kent Trelford-Thompson, of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska and Greg Long, of the EHA will be discussing a range of issues that will include the 2016/17 rate increase, deductibles of all plans, out-of-pocket maximums, and prescription drug changes.  We will also be holding a question and answer forum at the conclusion of the webinars.

Please click on the link below to join the webinar:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/8969240085672218369

We look forward to your participation in the 2016/17 EHA Informational Webinar. 

September 1, 2015 -- Increases of from 12 to 31 percent for individual health insurance policies in Nebraska are slated for 2016, according to a Sept. 1, 2015, Omaha World-Herald report.

Meanwhile, rates for the Educators Health Alliance health care plan used by nearly every Nebraska school district increased by only 1.9 percent, effective today.  

“This marks the 13th consecutive year our rate increases have been less than 10 percent,” said Neal Clayburn, chair of the EHA board of directors.  “That we have kept the increases well below national cost trends points to the efficacy of our collaborative approach to providing health care coverage for more than 400 school groups.”

The EHA plan’s rate increases in 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 were 0.0 percent, 2.99 percent, 6.4 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively. 

Clayburn said several factors contribute to the EHA’s ability to continually achieve rate increases that fall well below the national rate of medical inflation. He said “the wise use of medical services and maintenance of healthy practices by plan members; EHA’s extensive wellness program; and the collaboration of the three associations that govern the plan: the Nebraska School Boards Association, Nebraska Council of School Administrators and the Nebraska State Education Association,” combine to keep rates at a minimum.

EHA premiums increased by 1.9 percent for all rate and benefit categories beginning Sep. 1, 2015. This includes all medical and dental plans, as well as active employee and early retiree categories. There are no changes made to the EHA available plan deductibles, coinsurance, or copays for the 2015-16 plan year.

The EHA plan’s insurance coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska includes more than 77,000 education employees, early retirees and their dependents. NSEA formed the statewide health care network 45 years ago. A 12-member board representing NSEA, the Nebraska Association of School Boards and the Nebraska Council of School Administrators now governs the health care plan.