Premium Rates
SRA Group Benefits Changes
July 1, 2023
The SRA Group Benefits Committee with support from GMS has completed the annual review of the Saskatchewan Retirees Association Health and Dental Plans. The review considered member feedback, marketplace trends and the claims experience of the Health and Dental Plans. The SRA Health and Dental Plans continue to reflect member usage patterns that have been changing in recent years.
Increased claims and market pressures from service providers have resulted in challenges for the Health and Dental Plans. While claims have been close to targets throughout the year, industry cost trends continue to reflect higher inflationary pressures across Canada. With these trends, the SRA decided that this was a year to only make targeted changes to the coverages.
The Health Plan will be adjusted with updates to the diabetic supply benefit to better support the medical needs of the membership alongside the long-term sustainability of claims utilization patterns within the program. We will be implementing a prior authorization program for flash/continuous glucose monitors. This will include implementing a maximum for FGM (flash glucose monitors) and CGM (continuous glucose monitors) of $2,500 per individual per year including the transmitters and all sensors. All traditional supplies (lancets, test strips etc.) will remain at thecurrent unlimited maximum. Over the next few months GMS will be sending letters to the few members that have recent history of monitor usage to advise next steps to continue receiving benefits under the plan or to start receiving benefits in the case of CGM’s. More details will be available on the SRA website at saskretirees.org.
The SRA provided opportunities for dialogue with members through webcasts that discussed generic drugs and nutrition to help members better understand both topics. There are plans for more webcasts in 2023-24 as the response from members has been very positive.
Based on cost pressures, changing plan usage trends, and slowing member growth patterns, premium rates will be increased by an overall increase of 8.33%, effective July 1, 2023:
SRA Health and Dental Plans
monthly premium rates effective July 1, 2023:
Benefits/Coverage | Single | Couple | Family | |||
Current Rates | Renewal Rates | Current Rates | Renewal Rates | Current Rates | Renewal Rates | |
Extended Health | $96.52 | $105.10 | $192.47 | $209.67 | $228.78 | $249.22 |
Dental | $43.67 | $46.51 | $87.30 | $92.98 | $100.41 | $163.37 |
The SRA Health and Dental Plans are annual plans and therefore coverage can only be terminated on the annual renewal date of July 1st. If you decide to terminate your coverage, please advise GMS in writing no later than June 15. Otherwise, your enrollment in the Plan will continue into the next policy year uninterrupted and your next opportunity to terminate coverage will be the annual renewal date July 1st.