SRA Rates 2009

May 15, 2009

Name
Address
City, PR, PC

Dear SRA Member:

The annual review of the Saskatchewan Retiree Association Group Benefit plan has been completed. Although premiums were increased last July 1, 2008 to compensate for the revision to the Saskatchewan Drug Plan, our benefit plan was still short by an estimated $2.00 per person. Drug usage also increased during 2008 at an estimated cost of $9.00 per person, and this trend is expected to continue through 2009. The eye exam benefit limit will be increased to $100 per year from $60, and the hearing aid benefit limit will be increased to $800 per 3 years from $500. Given the preceding rational, the monthly premiums for Extended Health will be increasing for the policy year July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010.

The Saskatchewan Dental Fee Guide has been increased 5% in 2009, requiring a slight increase in dental premiums. Periodontics and Anaesthestics will be moved from Major Services at 50% coinsurance to Basic Services at 80% coinsurance.

Effective July 1, 2009 the monthly premiums for the SRA Benefit Plans will change as follows:

	Single	Couple	Family
Extended Health:	from $81.59 to 93.90	from $163.44 to $188.11	from $194.47 to $223.83
Dental:	from $27.96 to 29.23	from $55.93 to $58.47	from $64.32 to $67.24

 

I trust that you will understand the need for increased premiums and will continue to take advantage of the benefits provided under our Group Benefits plan – if so, no action is required by you if you pay monthly pre authorized payment. If you pay annually, your cheque is due at Group Medical Services before July 1, 2009.

If you decide to terminate your coverage in one or both plans, please advise GMS in writing no later than June 15, 2009 so that they may stop the automatic withdrawal from your bank account. Please note that a medical questionnaire will be required to be accepted back into the Extended Health plan after termination. If you choose to terminate membership in the Dental plan, you will not be accepted back in. SRA’s Group Benefits Plan is an annual plan, and as such, once you agree to the renewal for July 1, 2009, you cannot terminate from the plan until the next renewal date of July 1, 2010.

 

Yours sincerely,

Jack Peterson, Chair
Group Benefits