SRA Rates 2007

June 4, 2007

Saskatchewan Retirees Association
3085 Albert Street
Regina, Sask.   S4S 0B1

 

To: SRA Members of the Extended Health and/or Dental Programs.

 

Dear Member:

Re: Contract Renewal

Members of SRA are aware that their contract with Group Medical Services (GMS) for Extended Health and Dental Benefits is for a one year term from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007. In order to ensure that SRA members continue to enjoy Extended Health and Dental benefits at least cost , your Board signed a three year agreement for services with GMS subject to an annnual review of premiums prior to July 1 of each year. Accordingly the Board sought out and received a cost proposal from GMS in April, 2007. The proposal became somewhat complicated by the fact that the SRA wished to take the best advantage of the Seniors Drug Plan that the Province of Saskatchewan introduced effective July I, 2007.

After extensive review, your coverage for perscription drug costs has been increased from 75% to 100%. To ensure the lowest overall drug costs for members, the “Dispensing Fee Deductable” has been retained, so you can continue to shop for the lowest dispensing fees available. This means that the only cost you will pay at the pharmacy is the dispensing fee. Depending on which pharmacy you choose, these fees can vary from $4.98 per perscription to $8.46 per perscription. A list of the pharmacies and their dispensing fees is on our website at www.saskretirees.org

Based on the increase in coverage by our Plan and the implimentation of the new Seniors Drug Plan, GMS has provided a monthly premium proposal for the Extended Health Plan to the Board that is 21% lower than the current monthly premium. This lowering of Extended Health premiums is most welcome and very much appreciated by all members. In consideration of this substantial change in premiums, your Board has agreed to monitor the claims experience closely over the next number of months in order to determine precisely the impact of the Seniors Drug Plan. Your Board undertakes to discuss, with GMS, any unexpected deviations and the implications that may result from them and these premium revisions.

GMS has also provided a monthly premium proposal for the Dental Plan. In consideration that the Dental Plan has experienced claims higher than previously anticipated and budgeted for, increases in these premiums are necessary. Your Board will also monitor the claims of members of the Dental Plan to ensure the Dental premiums continue to reflect required Dental claims experience.

Effective July 1, 2007 the monthly premiums for the Benefit Programs will be as follows:

	Single	Couple	Family
Extended Health:	$70.88	$141.42	$167.58
Dental:	$27.28	$54.56	$62.75

 

Current monthly premiums until June 30th, 2007 are as follows:

	Single	Couple	Family
Extended Health:	$89.87	$179.69	$213.40
Dental:	$24.14	$48.28	$55.53

 

If you decide to terminate your coverage in one or both Plans (Extended Health or Dental), please advise GMS in writing by June15, 2007 so that they may revise or stop the automatic withdrawal from your bank account. Please note that to be accepted back into the Extended Health Plan after termination, a medical questionnaire will be required. If you choose to terminate membership in the Dental Plan you will not be accepted back in.

I trust all members will find the extension of the contract with GMS satisfactory and will continue to take advantage of the benefits provided under this Agreement.

Yours sincerely,

Jack Peterson, Chair, Group Benefits

Alf Zimmerman, President, SRA

cc: Group Medical Services