# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S76 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SYNODICAL REPORTS 75 * Paid a one-time special payment of $1,015 to retired members (who retired prior to 1/1/98) or to their surviving spouse. * Provided two extra monthly benefit checks to retired workers and widows from excess earnings in the Annuity Fund of the PPPT. ¢ Introduced the new Member Assistance Program (MAP) to pro- vide 24-hour counseling and referrals for a variety of work, fam- ily, and life issues. ¢ Provided to all workers enrolled in the CRP a retirement planner diskette compliments of Lutheran Brotherhood. ¢ Expanded the managed care program to include about 84% of all workers in the CHP. * Created a new staff position to establish and coordinate retirement planning and financial education to assist current workers and those entering the ministry. ¢ Introduced the WBP Web site with benefit information, links to managed care providers, and forms to assist members and em- ployers. ¢ Added a new vision benefit for all CHP members including re- tirees. * Provided to all CHP members a complimentary copy of the Mayo Clinic’s book Guide to Self-Care to assist with medical home care. ¢ Offered an open enrollment period in the CHP for those workers whose employer offered the option of another health plan in ad- dition to the CHP. ¢ Introduced an online Internet version of the Personal Statement of Benefits. * Developed field representative positions and enhanced plan rep- resentative contacts to expand contacts with members and em- ployer representatives. ¢ Continued to send each member the quarterly newsletter Better Health, which provides ongoing helpful information about main- taining physical, mental, emotional, attitudinal, and spiritual health. ¢ Continued communication efforts to assure that members are well informed about their benefits through the mailing of the quarterly Benefit Plans Bulletin. ¢ Established a mission statement that reads: Worker Benefit Plans supports LCMS ministries by providing dynamic health, dis- ability, retirement, and death benefits for church workers and their families. Since all specific changes in the Worker Benefit Plans are com- municated to all participating members and employers and all the financial activities are distributed annually, only a brief summary about each program is presented here. Concordia Health Plan The Concordia Health Plan (CHP) is a comprehensive major medical and dental plan. Each CHP dollar purchases benefits for medical, mental health and substance abuse, dental, prescription, hearing, and vision coverage. Approximately 17,330 members participate in the managed- care medical program. Network administrators include Aetna (Pru- dential), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, and Benicomp. In a managed care program, benefits at a higher level are provided if network providers are used. If the member opts to use non-net- work providers, lower benefits (and a deductible) are applicable. Members of the Concordia Health Plan who are in areas where managed care has not been implemented continue to participate in the traditional indemnity plan. After satisfying a required calendar- year deductible, the plan pays a major portion of the medical costs incurred by the members and their enrolled dependents. These members will be moving to managed care by year end 2001. The managed mental health and substance abuse benefits in- cluding the Member Assistance Program (MAP) are administered by ValueOptions, utilizing their network of providers. The prescription drug benefits are administered by Caremark Prescription Services. Members purchase short-term medications at their local pharmacy and are encouraged to use the Caremark mail order service for purchase of long-term medications. The dental benefits of the Concordia Health Plan are adminis- tered by the Worker Benefit Plans department. The vision program, offered by Aetna, U.S. Healthcare, pro- vides eye exams, lenses, frames, and Jasik surgery at discounted prices. Enrollment is automatic for all CHP members. Cole Vision administers this program. The hearing program, administered by National Ear Care Plan, provides hearing care discounts for screenings and hearing aids. Enrollment is automatic for CHP members. Retirees and surviving spouses age 65 and older can purchase Medicare supplemental coverage through the Concordia Health Plan. Coverage is currently provided for 24,000 members and their 28,300 dependents, a total of 52,300 individuals. Of the members, 78.5% are full-time workers participating through 5,810 congrega- tions, schools, and agencies, and the remaining members are re- tired, disabled, or on leave of absence. The number of enrolled members has increased over the past three years by approximately 12.8%. The benefits paid by the Plan for the past three years are shown below: 2000 (unaudited) 1999 1998 Benefits $112,721,000 $100,618,000 $88,510,000 Concordia Retirement Plan The Concordia Retirement Plan (CRP) is a defined benefit re- tirement plan benefiting 29,700 active members enrolled through 6,000 congregations, schools, and agencies of the Synod and 9,500 retirees. Every CRP dollar purchases retirement income (both a pri- mary and supplemental benefit), survivor income, and lump-sum death benefits. The purpose of the CRP is to provide a pension ben- efit upon retirement at age 65. However, there are provisions for a benefit to begin as early as age 55. Members become vested and earn a right to a benefit after five years of participation. During the last three years, benefits provided by the Plans were as follows: Benefits Paid 2000 (unaudited) 1999 1998 Retirement Income $55,830,000 $50,923,000 $43,285,000 Death Benefits $7,460,000 $7,060,000 $5,846,000 SRA $12,338,000 $12,640,000 — The number of individuals currently receiving benefits is 10,297. Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan The Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan (CDSP) has been designed to meet two important needs: (1) to pay a monthly income benefit when a member becomes totally disabled, and (2) to pay survivor benefits (jump sum) upon the death of a member before retirement. In addition, the Plan pays a lump-sum benefit upon death of an enrolled dependent. There are 29,900 members enrolled in the CDSP. The benefits paid by the Plan during the past three years are shown below: Benefits Paid 2000 (unaudited) 1999 1998 Survivor Income $5,474,000 $4,052,000 $3,883,000 Lump-Sum Death $234,000 $266,000 $163,000 Disability $6,204,000 $5,072,000 $4,960,000 2001 Convention Workbook