FY2023 Approved Meeting Minutes

Draft FRIC Meeting Minutes

May 5, 2023

ZOOM Meeting

11:30am

Members present: Michael Schueller*, Julie Urmie*, Josey Bathke, Daniel Katz, Anya Prince, Angela Speers, Sarah Tallman, Chuck Wieland, Richard Peter, Mary Charlton, John Laverty, Cormac O’Sullivan

*Co-chairs; +Minutes

Members absent: Anand Vijh

Administrative staff present: Joni Troester, Rebecca Olson

Visitors present: Cheri Smith, Dana Stafford+, Jessica Wade, Kara Wright, Julie Sexton, Cheryl Reardon, Audra Haddy, Britt Marcussen

  1. Introductions – Urmie and Schueller

  1. Approval of April meeting minutes – Urmie and Schueller
  • Motion to approve:  Chuck Wieland 
  • Seconded:  Angela Speers
  • No discussion
  • Approved; no dissent

  1. Announcement
    1. Joni Troester informed the committee there’s a review of the UHR website taking place.  Please watch for a short survey of 15 questions concerning your use of the website.  Justin Fraase, UHR Communications, will send the survey nest week.

  1. Recognition of Members
    1.  Mike Schueller has been on FRIC since 2014 and Staff Co-chair for the past two years.  Thanks for Mike’s service and commitment.

  1. Retirement Fund Line-Update – Joni Troester
    1. Reviewed the July 1st fund line-up changes with the committee:
      1. Freeze TRowe Price Growth Stock - map new contributions to TIAA Large Cap Growth Index
      2. Freeze Western Asset Core - map new contributions to Vanguard Total Bond Market

  1. Pharmacy Benefit Manager Update – Troester
    1. Joni Troester provided an update on the RFQL process. The committee is building the question set for the RFQL. Working with Aon to establish template language. Will continue to update FRIC with updates at each meeting.

  1. Review of Plan Design – Mental Health Coverage for UIChoice and UISelect
    1. Doc on Demand mental health coverage effective July 1, 2023 for both UIChoice and UISelect. Members will pay $0 for services.
    2. Committee members reviewed projected plan costs if UISelect mental health copays were $0. Members discussed pros and cons. Dan Katz motioned to approve changing the UISelect mental health copay to $0 for Level 1&2 effective January 1, 2024.  Josey Bathke seconded.  Motion approved. Chuck Wieland abstained.

  1.  Additional Weight Management Medication Information and Discussion – Troester/Olson
    1. Two questions for discussion
      1. Should UI self-funded plans cover Rx for weight loss only?
        1. Committee discussed.  Chuck Wieland motioned to explore weight management Rx coverage in the upcoming year.  John Laverty seconded. 
          1. Committee voted.
          2. Twelve members voted aye.
          3.  O’Sullivan opposed.
          4. Motion passed.
      2. If covered, what is the plan design specifics regarding coverage?
        1. Committee reviewed peer benchmark data and Wellmark’s potential Rx plan design and prior authorization of weight management Rx. Estimated financial impact analysis was reviewed based on Wellmark, Aon, Mercer, and Segal projections.  Joni Troester shared if average utilization, this could add a little over 1% to plan Rx cost or approximately $3.5M. More information will be shared in the Sept meeting.
  2. Access Reports
    1. Challenges continue in specialty care (neuor, derm, digestive disease). UIHC is trying a number of different things to remedy.

  1. Quarterly Metrics
    1. Pharmacy costs continue to increase due to specialty and new drugs.  Concern about upcoming gene therapies which have amazing potential but $2-3M per use.
    2. UIChoice PMPM continues to run high compared to UISelect.

  1. FRIC Membership Changes for AY23-24
    1. Two openings due to Mike Schueller and Nancy Davin not returning.  Mike Weaver and George Hospodarsky will join the committee on August 1st.

  1. Meeting Adjourned
  • Motion to end meeting moved by Chuck Wieland
  • Seconded by Josey Bathke
  • No discussion
  • Unanimously agreed

Next Meeting

Special Aug 1, 2023

Zoom Meeting

Draft FRIC Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2023
ZOOM meeting
11:30am

Members present: Michael Schueller*, Julie Urmie*, Josey Bathke+, Daniel Katz, Anya Prince, Angela Speers, Sarah Tallman, Chuck Wieland, Richard Peter, Cormac O’Sullivan, Mary Charlton

*Co-chairs; +Minutes

Members absent: Anand Vijh, John Laverty

Administrative staff present: Joni Troester, Rebecca Olson

Visitors present: Cheri Smith, Dana Stafford, Jessica Wade, Cheryl Reardon, Bernard Sorofman, Audra Haddy, Britt Marcussen, Teresa Marshall, Justin Fraase, Michael Brownlee, Lisa Mascardo, Alex Mersch, Young Fried, Shanda Harclerode

  1. Introductions– Urmie and Schueller

  1. Approval of March meeting minutes – Urmie and Schueller
    1. Motion to approve:  Chuck Wieland 
    2. Seconded:  Angela Speers
    3. No discussion
    4. Approved; no dissent
    5. Abstained:  Cormac O’Sullivan

  1. Specialty Rx Annual Report Presentation – Mike Brownlee, Lisa Mascardo, Alex Mersch, UIHC Pharmaceutical Care
    1. UIHC specialty partnership began in 2019
      1. Data shows superior turnaround compared to other commercial pharmacies
      2. Reviewed high adherence rates and other significant data
      3. Advocate on behalf of members and provide superior customer service
      4. Recent re-accreditation
    2. National Trends
      1. FDA approval of new specialty meds is slowing
      2. Anticipate novel/specialty meds to continue to be the drugs seeking FDA approval
      3. More patients utilizing more specialty meds
      4. Specialty drugs will continue to grow in use which is a cost driver but brand conversion with biosimilars/generics may be cost mitigators
    3. 2023 Observations
      1. Pharmacy Benefit:
        1. Humira biosimilar will be potentially disruptive
        2. Other autoinflammatory has potential
        3. Pulmonary therapy transitions have potential
        4. Hematoloty/Oncology medication will transition to generic and increased access should follow
      2. Medical Benefit:
        1. Recently approved Type 1 Diabetes treatment may be impactful
        2. Several hemophilia treatments coming to market
        3. Various Alzheimer treatments may have new treatments coming
    4. Wins in UI Partnership
      1. Response to the tri-demic/RSV outbreak
      2. UIHC response when communities were struggling with access to appropriate prescriptions (some were waiting over a month for a prescription through HYVEE); UIHC was able to move providing of the prescription to just several DAYS!
    5. Specialty Pharmacy Implications for UI Health Plan discussed
      1. Top 5 drugs in spend – Humira, Stelara, Trifactor, Enbrel, Dupixent
      2. Reviewed spend per category of Autoinflammatory, Pulmonary, Hematology/Oncology, Neurology, Endocrinology, and Other
    6. UIHC Specialty Pharmacy Services
      1. Discussed the exemplary member and provider experiences
      2. Providers confirm exemplary perceived outcomes
      3. Licensed in 10 states
      4. Now the only 24/7 pharmacy in Iowa City area!

  1. Coverage of Medication Therapy for Weight Loss by Wellmark – Shanda Harclerode Director, Pharmacy Solutions and Young Fried, VP of Pharmacy
    1. Three main archetypes that can drive pharmaceutical spend up or down
      1. Blockbuster brands, specialty brands and generics from the past; now we’re moving towards obesity drugs, gene therapy and biosimilars
    2. Less than 1/5 of employers cover drugs for weight loss management
    3. Nationally – employers are asking for more information and not asking for coverage changes yet; very little plan data available at this time
    4. Reviewed National GLP-1 cost and growth/utilization trends for both anti-diabetes and weight loss
    5. Wellmark’s management options
      1. Add GLP-1 medication therapy for weight loss as a covered benefit
        1. Only 10 groups in Wellmark’s entire book of business have chosen this option
        2. Weight loss drug covered only with prior authorization
      2. Maintain GLP-1 medication therapy for anti-diabetes, but weight loss therapy as an excluded benefit
        1. Most of Wellmark’s self-funded accounts and all of their fully-insured book of business have stayed with this option
        2. If medication is submitted for Type 2 diabetes treatment (or if claim look back shows history of Type 2 diabetes treatment) then it is covered; if for submitted for obesity treatment then it is excluded and rejected at POS
      3. Discussed plan cost impacts
        1. Estimate 36.4% of Iowans are obese; assume all eligible utilize GLP-1 for weight loss then net pharmacy plan cost would increase $51.28PMPM; increase Pharmacy PMPM overall by 43%
        2. If 18.2% utilize GLP-1 for weight loss then plan cost would increase $25.64PMPM; increase pharmacy PMPM overall by 23%

  1. Weight Management Medication – Troester/Olson
    1. Peer Benchmark presentation shared
      1. Weight loss drugs covered by 8 peers including ISU and State of Iowa/DAS
        1. Each requires prior authorization
      2. Weight loss drugs not covered by 4 peers including UNI
    2. Committee Discussion and Information request for May Meeting
      1. Send any data requests to Rebecca by Monday, April 10th COB

  1. UI Choice and UI Select Mental Health Plan Coverage – Olson/Troester
    1. Additional WellMark data
    2. Discussion regarding the different copays in the UIChoice and UISelect
    3. July 1 Doc on Demand at no cost for mental health for both UICHoice and UISelect
    4. Tabled for more discussion/motion in May

  1. COVID 19 Required Health Plan Coverages – Olson
    1. As of May 12 (day after federal disaster ends) coverage for COVID-19 tests and testing related services in Dr office, OTC  At Home COVID-19 Tests, and COVID-19 Vaccines will revert to prior coverage. For vaccines, they will be covered as preventative with a $0 member copay
    2. Benefits will update its website to share this change
    3. Benefits will work with Office of Strategic Communications to have IOWANOW announcement about this change before effective date

  1. Premium Rate Setting Process for CY2024 – Troester
    1. BOR will review our premiums prior to any release to employees
    2. To meet required timeline for the September BOR meeting we need to move FRIC meeting up as a special meeting on 7/31 or 8/1
    3. FRIC members to review personal calendars and share availability with Benefits for those two dates
    4. Then FRIC won’t need the second Sept meeting

  1. Quarterly Metrics – Olson – tabled until May

  1. Access Report – Troester – tabled until May

  1. New Business (AY 2022 - 2023)
    1. Medically Necessary Laser Hair Removal (UIHC) – May 2023 – moved to Fall 2023

  1. Meeting Adjourned
  • Motion to end meeting moved by Chuck Weiland
  • Seconded by Sarah Tallman
  • No discussion
  • Unanimously agreed

Next Meeting

May 5, 2023

Zoom Meeting

Draft FRIC Meeting Minutes
March 3, 2023
Zoom Meeting
11:30 AM

Members present: Michael Schueller*, Julie Urmie*, Josey Bathke, Daniel Katz, John Laverty, Nancy Davin, Anya Prince, Angela Speers, Sarah Tallman, Chuck Wieland

*Co-chairs; +Minutes

Members absent: Richard Peter, Cormac O’Sullivan, Anand Vijh, Mary Charlton

Administrative staff present: Joni Troester, Rebecca Olson

Visitors present: Cheri Smith, Dana Stafford, Julie Sexton, Jessica Wade, Kara Wright, Cheryl Reardon, Megan Hammes, Bernard Sorofman, Audra Haddy, David Fitgerald, Britt Marcussen, Kari Vrban, Leon Jons, Amanda Pitts, Kathleen Robinson, Marcelo Correin, Ayotunde Dokun.

  1. Introductions– Urmie and Schueller
  2. Approval of February meeting minutes – Urmie and Schueller
    1. Motion to approve: Chuck Wieland; Dan Katz seconded
    2. No discussion
    3. Unanimously approved

  1. Medically Necessary Weight Management – Presentation by Drs. Ayotunde Dokun, Leon Jons, and Katie Robinson
    1. Doctors from the Weight Management Division of Endocrinology provided an overview of anti-obesity medications.
    2. Obesity rates are rising nation-wide as well as in Iowa with 36.5% of Iowans considered obese.
    3. With increases in obesity, there are increases in the health care needs of the obese.
    4. To address weight issue, change the person’s behaviors; if additional help is needed, add pharmacotherapy; last resort is surgery.
    5. Reviewed different weight loss medicines which are FDA approved.
    6. Potential positive impact of weight loss drug includes likelihood of changing obesity classification, improved biometric screenings (BP, glucose, lipids), and reduced cost of total health care.
    7. Costs of new GLP-1 weight loss drugs (such as Wegovy) are close to $20,000 yr and must be taken in perpetuity to maintain weight loss. There are several lower cost drugs available.
    8. Questions from FRIC members followed.
    9. In closing, the doctors asked that the FRIC committee recommend covering prescription weight loss drugs on the university health plans.
    10. Committee will discuss in April.

  1. UIChoice and UISelect Plan Provision Review – Olson/Troester
    1. Joni Troester shared that as of July 1, 2023, behavioral health services will be added to Doctor on Demand (telehealth) coverage for both UIChoice and UISelect plans. Doctor on Demand services are at $0 cost for the member.
    2. Dr. Dan Katz provided an overview of mental health which covered UIChoice and UISelect plan provisions for mental health visits and potential financial barriers to MH treatment. Questions from committee members followed.
    3. Rebecca Olson shared Wellmark plan modeling of potential changes to UISelect copays for mental health visits.  Questions from committee members followed, including additional information request on mental health utilization for younger populations.
    4. Committee will continue discussion in April.

  1. New Business (AY 2022-2023)
    1. Specialty Drug Presentation (UIHC Pharmaceutical Care) – April 2023
    2. Weight Management Medication (Young Fried; VP of Pharmacy Services @ WellMark) – April 2023
    3. Medically Necessary Laser Hair Removal (UIHC) – May 2023

Meeting adjourned.

  • Motion to end meeting moved by Mike Schueller
  • Seconded by Chuck Wieland
  • No discussion
  • Unanimously agreed

​​​​​​​Next Meeting

April 7, 2023

Zoom Meeting

FRIC
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
ZOOM MEETING
1130 AM

Members present: Michael Schueller*, Julie Urmie*, Josey Bathke, Daniel Katz, John Laverty, Mary Charlton, Cormac O’Sullivan, Angela Speers, Sarah Tallman+, Chuck Wieland

*Co-chairs; +Minutes

Members absent: Nancy Davin, Anand Vijh, Anya Prince, Richard Peter

Administrative staff present: Joni Troester, Rebecca Olson

Visitors present: David Fitzgerald, Audra Haddy, Britt Marcussen, Julie Sexton, Cheri Smith, Dana Stafford, Jessica Wade, Kara Wright, Teresa Marshall

  1. Introductions – Urmie and Schueller
  2. Welcome New Faculty Member: Mary Charlton, College of Public Health
  3. Approval of December meeting minutes - Urmie and Schueller
    1. Chuck Wieland motioned to approve; seconded by Cormac O’Sullivan
    2. No discussion
    3. December minutes were approved unanimously
  4. Open Enrollment:  Outcome for CY2023 – Olson
    • Reviewed 2023 outcomes and compared to 2022
    • UISelect contracts increased in 2023 - 18% in 2023, 16% last year
    • UIChoice contracts dropped in 2023 - 82% in 2023, 84% last year
    • Most enrollments into UISelect occur with new hires
    • Movement also occurs during open enrollment or with a qualifying event
    • Do we track why people change between plans?  We would need to be very thoughtful as this is sensitive information
    • No benefits satisfaction survey recently.  Last one was in 2018 during Health Benefit Review. May consider during  open enrollment next year
    • Data shows large difference in plan participation by family status
    • What are the UI goals when you review this data? 
      • Want to provide a choice in plans to our employees
      • Family status & ages/stages in life are different
      • Long term – employee engagement & experience is important
      • Want to make sure employees understand the benefits & make decisions based on their situation.
      • Inclusivity – with other languages included in the forms
      • Very successful benefits enrollment this year
  5. Pharmacy Benefit Manager – Troester
    • Joni Troester provided an update on the RFQL committee created
    • Sarah Tallman & Julie Urmie are FRIC members on the committee
    • The process will likely last 18-20 months
    • Non-disclosure agreement has been signed between outside entities involved. Data meeting with Wellmark, AON, UI, etc.
    • Committee will establish guiding principles for this process
  6. Review of Plan Design - Troester and Olson

    *Reviewed guiding principles for the annual review of plans*

    FRIC members support these.  Any feedback from campus concerning changes made effective Jan 1st?  Not many questions, no negative feedback. Employees thankful we have robust health plan.  Committee will revisit guiding principles each year during the annual review of the plans.  We’ll target incremental changes every year so people expect it.

    • Dental Plan – will review the dental plan this year
      1. Three tiers in current plan
      2. Plan will pay more & employee pays less in the Tier One. Tier two provides good benefits
      3. Coinsurance varies by Tier and service received
      4. Do we get feedback on the quality of the Provider? Consumers can google ratings for health care providers.  We have freedom to choose our provider
      5. Unique relationship with the College of Dentistry – UI will pay up to $2000 for services for dental plan members.  Great thing about this arrangement is that it gives UI students practice.  You can use both COD students & outside provider
      6. No annual deductible with our plan
      7. $2000 max annual benefit
      8. Each member has $2000 max annual benefit.  Remaining balance at year end will roll over to the next year with a max $4000 available in year two.  See plan details for specifics on how this works
      9. Over the past year, University Benefits has received one request from an employee asking that the annual maximum benefit of $2000 be increased
      10. UIHR recommendation would be to make no changes to the Delta Dental Plan.  Quite generous/robust plan & good coverage
      11. FRIC members agree
    • UIChoice and UISelect  
      1. Rebecca Olson went through REVIEW of changes effective Jan 1, 2023
      2. UIHR doesn’t suggest any changes this year
      3. Fastest rising trend is Pharmacy with increasing costs of pharmacy/specialty drugs
      4. Committee wishes to look at Mental Health Coverage this year, as we didn’t make a change for 2023
      5. Dan Katz would like to see the impact of $0 dollar copay in UISelect Plan since UIChoice covers mental health with $0 copay
      6. What are you trying to accomplish with $0 mental health copay in UISelect?  Remove any obstacle for those who need mental health care if they choose the UISelect. There’s a greater proportion of young people who need mental health care.  Mental health care is something that people are more likely to defer due to cost
      7. We will get more data so we can continue this discussion
  7. Access Report - Troester
    • Reviewed monthly report
    • ED Director will come to FRIC this fall to report on an annual basis
    • Opening the Urgent Care has impacted the ED by decreasing the demand
    • Video – Right level of care
  8. March Agenda
    • UIHC weight management services will present
    • North Liberty facility will open in 2025 – moving presentation to fall

We have four staff member terms that are ending this spring.  You need to reapply to stay on FRIC.  Mike Schueller is finishing his term after nine years on FRIC. He will not reapply.  Staff co-chair will be open.

Membership discussion – new FRIC members & existing ones with term ending

New Business (AY 2022 - 2023)

  1. Medically Necessary Weight Management (UIHC) - March 2023
  2. Specialty Drug Presentation (UIHC Pharmaceutical Care) – April 2023
  3. Medically Necessary Laser Hair Removal (UIHC) – May 2023

John Laverty moved to adjourn the meeting. Cormac O’Sullivan seconded.

 

 

 

Next meeting
March 3, 2023 via Zoom

FRIC draft meeting minutes
December 2, 2022

Zoom Meeting

11:30 AM

Members present: Michael Schueller*, Julie Urmie*, Josey Bathke, Daniel Katz, John Laverty, Nicole Nisly, Cormac O’Sullivan, Richard Peter+, Anya PrinceK, Angela Speers, Sarah Tallman, Anand Vijh, Chuck Wieland

*Co-chairs; +Minutes

Members absent: Nancy Davin

Administrative staff present: Joni Troester, Rebecca Olson

Visitors present: Cody Ching, David Fitzergerald, Audra Haddy, Megan Hammes, Rachel Kirchner, Kate Klefstad, Britt Marcussen, Cheryl Reardon, Julie Sexton, Nathan Shaw, Siroos Shirazi, Sonia Slevinski, Cheri Smith, Dana Stafford, Bronwyn Threlkeld-Wiegand, Jessica Wade, Kara Wright

  1. Introductions – Urmie and Schueller

  1. Approval of November meeting minutes – Urmie and Schueller
    • Chuck Wieland moved a motion to approve; Cormac O’Sullivan seconded
    • No discussion
    • November minutes were approved unanimously

  1. Recognition of Nicole Nisly
    Dr. Nisly’s service on FRIC was recognized. Dr. Nisly was a member on FRIC since 2013 and lent her expertise in many different areas. She received a round of applause and best wishes for her upcoming retirement.
     
  2. Continuum of Care/UIHC Acute Care – Rachel Kirchner, Cody Ching and Dr. Nate Shaw
    • UI QuickCare: Patients can schedule online or on MyChart to reduce waiting time; patients can check wait times online. Average waiting room time: 8 min, average door-to-door time: 47 min. Common conditions: ear pain, eye infection, sprains, UTI, rash & skin infection, cold flu, sore throat, minor wounds. Some limited possibilities to draw blood for diagnostic testing. Telemedicine option: avg. 1,643 visits/month; conditions: COVID-19, cough, rash and skin infections, allergies, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, sinus problems. If patient needs to come in, only one charge. High patient satisfaction ratings
    • UI QuickCare & Telemedicine patients: 41% UI plans, 59% other for FY19 through FY23 Q1, variability of numbers across years mainly driven by how Covid-19 was handled. Marketing of UI QuickCare via social media pushes (FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter), UI Health Fair, and seasonal messaging
    • UI QuickCare and UI UrgentCare can use e-consult; e-consult recently added also for orthopedics
    • UI UrgentCare: common conditions include broken bones, lacerations, dehydration, migraines, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, chest pain. Similar waiting times as UI QuickCare. Capacity to do IVs at UI UrgentCare. Means of transportation to ED is 911. Some discussion regarding the workflow for chest pain and how it is consistent across different levels of care at UIHC. UI UrgentCare patients: 41% UI plans, 59% other for FY19 through FY23 Q1. No age restriction at UI UrgentCare, capability to do full fever evaluation for fevers in patients less than 2-3 months old; UI QuickCare often limits age to 6 months and older
    • UI Emergency Department: avg. 9 min wait time (registration to triage), 297 min door-to-door time. Conditions: head injury, stroke, severe bleeding, chest pain, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, severe pain, newborn fever, major trauma, suicidal thoughts. Level of acuity always considered, waves of activity over time. Discussion of trends in average door-to-door times; boarding hours have increased, challenges with capacity of inpatient beds, can cause backup and bottleneck; heat maps used for staffing
    • UI QuickCare and UI UrgentCare have lowered ED volumes over time; statistics of patient visit per month across walk-in clinics
    • Avg. transfer rate from UI QuickCare and UrgentCare to ED: 2%; high of 6% in some months; avg. transfer rate from UI UrgentCare to ED: 3 to 5% not including Mercy and Cedar Rapids; national avg. at 5%
    • Strategic placement of marketing materials for patients to identify appropriate level of care; at ED visible prior to check-in; concept of “right care at the right place”. Messaging targeted to UI employees: UI Health Fair, LiveWell newsletters, UI HR (new hires, grad students, etc.)
    • Suggestion: include messaging in Iowa Now and see it a couple of times a year; share with Staff Council and Faculty Senate to promote among their constituents; Suggestion: Incorporate “right care at right place” in benefits information, possibly with a video; Suggestion: For small kids with asthma capability of suction kiddos would be helpful at UI QuickCare and/or UrgentCare; not available at pediatric clinics; Suggestion: Would be helpful to see online when there is X-ray capability at particular UI UrgentCare that day (tech working)

  1. Overview of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Presentation - Bronwyn Threlkeld-Wiegand, Director
    • Goal: provide employees and their family with most effective tools, resources and support for achieving personal health and overall well-being while respecting privacy and confidentially of personal information. EAP partners with LiveWell and Family Services
    • EAP Team: four clinicians (two alcohol and drug counselors) plus admin support
    • Services: Counseling and referral; management supervisory consultation, behavioral and drug-free workplace consultation, critical incident response and campus support, population health, prevention and educational services. Access confidential and free for up to 6 sessions per year per member. Sessions last about 1 hour, clients see same clinician each time
    • Scheduling by email or phone, same-week availability, continuity of care/referrals, in person/zoom/phone, multiple locations, lunch and after work appointments (no weekends)
    • Utilization (visits): 1,770 (2018), 1,911 (2019), 1,984 (2020), 2,036 (2021), 2,051 (2022); high satisfaction and recommendation rates
    • Top 3 reasons: depression/anxiety, job stress, marital/relationship; Other reasons: sleep resources, anger management, health/medical concern, elder care concern, financial/legal concern, parent/child concern, substance abuse (self), substance abuse (other)
    • Programming: suicide prevention, hardship fund, resilience, happiness, purpose, sleep, burnout
    • Kognito suicide prevention app: tool to learn skills for difficult conversations (suicide prevention page, takes 30-45 minutes)
      • Suggestion: Kognito training could be added to performance review; consider making mandatory for anybody in supervisory or teaching role
    • UI emergency hardship fund: supports costs up to $1,000 related to unforeseen emergency event or crisis which created financial hardship; 52 recipients in 2021-22.
    • Completion of online form, documentation in app. Referrals from campaigns or people’s supervisors; awareness of UI emergency hardship fund could be further expanded
    • EAP great supplement to other counseling services; individual records are not connected to EPIC
    • Discussion about demographics; EAP sees typically more women than men, a fair number of children, and a fair number of couples
    • Referrals to ED or medication management consultation possible; emergent needs do not happen very often

  1. Open Enrollment: Initial Results - Olson
    • Ran very smoothly
    • Opened Nov 1 and closed Nov 15
    • Stronger participation with 11,500 active choices, increase by 500 employees compared to last year
    • For employees without active choice: last year’s choices rolled over
    • Preliminary results: 83% UI Choice, 17% UI Select
    • Final data will be sent to Wellmark and Delta Dental; new Wellmark ID cards will be issued for everyone in Dec
    • UI Benefits team assisted over 3,000 individuals who called or emailed
  1. Flexible Spending Account Program Vendor – Olson
    • ​​​​​​​Communications planned with targeted email in week of Dec 5. Content: expectations for 2023 FSA plan participants, communications from HealthEquity coming, updated UI Benefits FSA website
    • HealthEquity will send welcome mailing mid-December which includes information to help individuals understand how to manage their account, file a claim, how to download the mobile app, how to use the app, and contact info for HealthEquity (24/7 customer service)
      • FSA VISA cards will be mailed to FSA participants by Dec 31
      • Kudos to Jessica Wade, Kara Wright and Mike Kaplan for their work on the new FSA program vendor implementation
  2. Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) - Troester
    • Timeline for the selection of the PBM
    • Agreement on scope of work with AON Consulting
    • Kick-off with RFQL committee in January, kickoff with AON in February, selection of PBM in Spring of 2024, implementation in the summer/fall of 2024, launch on Jan 1, 2025

  1. Secure Act 2.0 - Olson
    • University Benefits is closely monitoring the situation in Washington DC; Rebecca Olson will continue to provide further updates. Legislation builds on changes to retirement plans in Secure Act of 2019: increase catch-up of contributions amounts, require catch-up of contributions to be Roth (after-tax), increase age when RMD must begin, provide easier access to funds if personal or family emergency. Could be passed this month by Congress; otherwise legislative process starts over next year

  1. Access Report - Troester
    • Access statistics for primary care, specialty care and tertiary care over the last month, the last six months and the last 13 months. Goals met for primary care and tertiary care; challenges continue in specialty care. Expansion and recruitment considered in specialty care; FRIC continues to monitor situation. Comment: access to tertiary care has decreased; plotting downtrend in access against case load would require more granular data

Mike Schueller points out New Business (AY 2022 - 2023)

  1. Mental Health
  2. Well-being and Mental Health Collaborative - TBD
  3. Medically Necessary Weight Management - March 2023
  4. Specialty Drug Presentation - April 2023
  5. Medically Necessary Laser Hair Removal - May 2023

Meeting adjourned

  • Motion to end meeting moved by Chuck Wieland
  • Seconded by Nicole Nisly
  • No discussion
  • Unanimously agreed

Next Meeting

February 3, 2023

Zoom Meeting

Waiting on approval from the committee during the Dec. 2, 2022, meeting. 

FRIC

Draft meeting minutes
October 7, 2022

Zoom Meeting

1130 AM

Members present:  Michael Schueller*, Julie Urmie*, John Laverty, Nancy Davin, Dan Katz, Nicole Nisly, Angela Speers, Chuck Wieland, Anya Prince+, Sarah Tallman, Richard Peter, Anand Vijh

*Co-chairs; +Minutes

Members absent: Cormac O’Sullivan, Josey Bathke

Administrative staff present: Joni Troester, Rebecca Olson

Visitors present: Cheri Smith, David Fitzgerald, Jessica Wade, Dana Stafford, Cheryl Reardon, Audra Haddy, Britt Marcussen, Kara Wright, Kate Klefstad, Bernard Sorofman

  1. Introductions– Urmie and Schueller

  1. Approval of September meeting minutes – Urmie and Schueller

    1. Chuck Wieland moved to approve
    2. Nicole Nisly seconded
    3. No discussion
    4. September minutes approved unanimously

  1. Digital Evaluation & Management Pilot – Troester
    1. Presented information about pilot program and incurred costs for 2022
    2. Recommendation to continue for another year: CY2023
    3. Discussion about uptake by providers and patients
    4. Nicole Nisly moved to approve
    5. John Laverty seconded
    6. Discussion of pros and cons for continuing as pilot versus adopting permanently now
    7. Recommendation for extended pilot approved unanimously

  1. Retirement Plan Fund Line-up – Troester
    1. Report out about advantages to a change in retirement lifecycle fund line-up at TIAA including timeline for implementation  
    2. Future plans: discuss the change and timeline with shared governance
    3. Discussion about impacts of plan on members

  1. Pharmacy Benefit Manager – Troester
    1. Report out about request for qualifications for PBM to occur during 2023-2024
    2. Will be a standing agenda item for future FRIC meetings

  1. Flexible Spending Account Program Vendor Overview – Olson
    1. Report out about new FSA Vendor beginning in January and planned communication in Nov-Dec.
    2. Discussion about provider letter of medical necessity process and impacts on members/details of the plan

  1. Adoption Assistance Pilot Program Overview – Olson
    1. Report out on new Adoption Assistance Pilot Program beginning in January and communication roll-out plan
    2. Discussion about plan details and communications rollout

  1. Open Enrollment Communication Plans – Olson
    1. Report out on open enrollment, website, & resources

  1. Access Report – Troester
    1. Report out on access within UI healthcare system
    2. Discussed areas of concern

  1. New Business (AY 2022 - 2023)
    1. Continuum of Care Presentation – December 2022
    2. Specialty Drug Presentation – April 2023
    3. Mental Health Coverage

Meeting adjourned

  • Motion to end meeting by Chuck Wieland
  • Seconded by Nancy Devin
  • Unanimously agreed

Next Meeting

November 4, 2022

Zoom Meeting

FRIC
Meeting Minutes
September 2, 2022
Zoom Meeting
11:30 AM

Members present:  Michael Schueller*, Julie Urmie*, John Laverty, Nancy Davin, Dan Katz, Nicole Nisly, Cormac O’Sullivan, Angela Speers+, Chuck Wieland, Anya Prince, Sarah Tallman, Richard Peter, Anand Vijh, Josey Bathke

*Co-chairs; +Minutes

Members absent: none

Administrative staff present: Joni Troester, Rebecca Olson, Cheri Smith

Visitors present: Cheri Smith, Jessica Wade, Dana Stafford, Cheryl Reardon, Audra Haddy, Britt Marcussen, Jill Valde, David Fitzgerald, Julie Sexton, Kate Klefstad, Theresa Marshall, Kara Wright, Megan Hammes, Kate Klefstad

  1. Introductions– Urmie and Schueller

  1. Approval of May meeting minutes – Urmie and Schueller
    1. Chuck Wieland moved to approve
    2. Nancy Davin second
    3. May minutes approved unanimously

  1. Rate Setting for CY2023
    1. Dental- 3% increase across all family status
      1. John Laverty moved to approve
      2. Chuck Wieland second
      3. Approved unanimously
    2. UI Choice and UI Select – increase of 6% across both plans/all family status
      1. AON trend 6.3% Medical 8.0% Rx
      2. Wellmark trend 8.5% Medical 12.0% Rx
      3. UI used 6.3% Medical 8.0% Rx
      4. Chuck Wieland moved to approve; Nancy Davin second; Approved unanimously

  1. Retiree Association Update – Troester
    1. 9.7% increase in health insurance rate for CY2023

  1. COVID Updates – Troester/Olson
    1. Members have no cost share for COVID-19 testing and related services to diagnose or detect COVID-19 during national public health emergency
    2. OTC COVID-19 testing kits covered by health plan during national public health emergency

  1. Other Updates
    1. Adoption Assistance Program
      1. Approved and implementing January 1, 2023
      2. Working with outside legal on final plan document
      3. Announce new benefit during Open Enrollment in November
    2. Flex Spending – Vendor
      1. FSA Administrator: Health Equity
      2. Will offer:
          1. Debit Card for eligible health care expenses
          2. 2 business day claim processing; 5 business day payment
          3. 24/7 customer service
      3. UHR will continue to manage enrollments: Health Equity will manage claim processing and payment
      4. Announce during Open Enrollment in November
      5. Targeted communications to FSA participants begins in December
    3. Campus Influenza Vaccinations
      1. Mid-September through Mid-November
      2. Available at campus and community locations
      3. Covered at no cost through UI Health Plans
    4. Access Report
      1. Provider issues and drivers
    5. Other Voluntary Benefits
      1. Researching other benefits (pet insurance one example) where employees would incur the full cost of cost sharing, but UI would act as payroll deduction remitter

  1. New Business (AY 2022 - 2023)
    1. Rx Discussions – October 2022
    2. Continuum of Care Presentation – December 2022
    3. Specialty Drug Presentation – April 2023
    4. Mental Health Coverage

Adjournment:

Cancel September 9th meeting/ Motion to adjourn 

  1. moved by Chuck Wieland
  2. Second by Nancy Davin
  3. approved unanimously

Meeting adjourned

Next Meeting

October 7, 2022

Zoom Meeting