Common use of Group Health Cost Containment Initiatives Clause in Contracts

Group Health Cost Containment Initiatives. This sets forth a list of cost savings initiatives identified during the course of cost containment meetings that, if aggressively and effectively implemented, should achieve the projected cost savings commitments of $21 million for plan year 2019. Moreover, the Union and the County have agreed that the County and the Union shall jointly continue to seek additional ways to reduce the cost of providing benefits while maintaining the integrity of the benefits received by the Union members. The Healthcare Cost Containment Workgroup ("Workgroup") shall continue and shall meet regularly to review progress. In addition, if following a January or July meeting the Employer Designees reasonably believe that the Healthcare Fund has not implemented modifications and initiatives sufficient to produce the foregoing approximate savings, or there is a disagreement over adoption of a modification or initiative, the dispute shall be resolved according to an internal appeal process, but shall not be subject to arbitration. In consideration of flat insurance premiums for the plan year 2019-2020 and the 2019 cost containment initiatives, the County agrees to continue the County’s Medical Plan, which is currently administered by AvMed, with no plan design changes other than those indicated in this agreement and those required by State or Federal Law. All other health benefit plans offered by the County will remain the same pursuant to current collective bargaining agreement. Additionally, in consideration of the changes stated below, employees will be given the opportunity to learn more about the changes to the benefit plans. Therefore, the County will also provide educational sessions prior to the 2019 open enrollment. Effective January 1, 2019, or if after January 2019, upon ratification of the 2017-20 collective bargaining agreement the Miami-Dade County Group Health Plan shall be amended as follows. Participation and acceptance of the 2019 cost containment plan redesign initiatives that are expected to reduce the plans expenditures will allow premiums to remain flat for the duration of this Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) 2017-2020. The contributions for insurance premiums are listed in Appendix 2. As it is the intention of the parties to maintain and improve the County's programs, these and other adjustments are needed to preserve the resources of the Healthcare Fund to provide its comprehensive health coverage in the face of rising health care costs. Thus, without limiting the potential cost savings approaches the Mayor and his designees should pursue, they are directed to implement appropriate savings which may include the following programs, policies and plan changes:

Group Health Cost Containment Initiatives. This sets forth a list of cost savings initiatives identified during the course of cost containment meetings that, if aggressively and effectively implemented, should achieve the projected cost savings commitments of $21 million for plan year 20192020. Moreover, the Union and the County have agreed that the County and the Union shall jointly continue to seek additional ways to reduce the cost of providing benefits while maintaining the integrity of the benefits received by the Union members. The Healthcare Cost Containment Workgroup ("Workgroup") shall continue and shall meet regularly to review progress. In addition, if following a January or July meeting the Employer Designees reasonably believe that the Healthcare Fund has not implemented modifications and initiatives sufficient to produce the foregoing approximate savings, or there is a disagreement over adoption of a modification or initiative, the dispute shall be resolved according to an internal appeal process, but shall not be subject to arbitration. In consideration of flat insurance premiums for the plan year 20192020-2020 2021 and the 2019 2020 cost containment initiatives, the County agrees to continue the County’s Medical Plan, which is currently administered by AvMed, with no plan design changes other than those indicated in this agreement and those required by State or Federal Law. All other health benefit plans offered by the County will remain the same pursuant to current collective bargaining agreement. Additionally, in consideration of the changes stated below, employees will be given the opportunity to learn more about the changes to the benefit plans. Therefore, the County will also provide educational sessions prior to the 2019 open enrollment. Effective January 1, 20192020, or if after January 20192020, upon ratification of the 2017-20 collective bargaining agreement the Miami-Dade County Group Health Plan shall be amended as follows. Participation and acceptance of the 2019 2020 cost containment plan redesign initiatives that are expected to reduce the plans expenditures will allow premiums to remain flat for the duration of this Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) 2017-2020. The contributions for insurance premiums are listed in Appendix Addendum 2. As it is the intention of the parties to maintain and improve the County's programs, these and other adjustments are needed to preserve the resources of the Healthcare Fund to provide its comprehensive health coverage in the face of rising health care costs. Thus, without limiting the potential cost savings approaches the Mayor and his designees should pursue, they are directed to implement appropriate savings which may include the following programs, policies and plan changes: