New Incentives in APWU Health Plan

(This article first appeared in the January/February 2019 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Health Plan Director John Marcotte

The APWU Health Plan Seminar in San Antonio was a great success, and I want to thank the San Antonio Alamo Area Local for their assistance and kind hospitality in hosting this event. We are seeing a large increase in attendance at our seminar and I attribute that to you: the membership. By listening to our members and local, state and chapter leadership, we are tailoring the APWU Health plans and our training to your needs. This is your health plan, and by focusing on you, the future is bright. We are proud to continue to provide comprehensive health care at an affordable price.

You have been asking for a dental plan that better fits your needs and works in concert with APWU Health Plan’s Dental coverage. I am excited to announce that APWU Health Plan Dental is now available. We shipped informational materials as fast as we could to our locals and extended the open season for dental enrollment for the plan’s first year, due to the short time frame we had in our first year. This plan was designed with direct input from our members. We look forward to serving your dental needs.

At the 2018 APWU National Convention, a National Executive Board (NEB) Resolution from the states of Michigan, Oregon, Alaska, Montana, Idaho and Washington concerning incentives for APWU Health Plan participation was referred to Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell and myself. I met with Secretary-Treasurer Powell and we submitted a recommendation to the NEB within the required 90 days. I am proud to announce that the NEB approved the below incentives to our local, state and chapter organizations. Liz and I are committed to initiating this program, and I thank the NEB for their support and commitment to the APWU Health Plan.

Incentives to APWU Local, State and Chapter Organization

Every APWU local, state and chapter organization base line for APWU Health Plan membership will be determined in September prior to FEHB Open Season.

Every APWU local, state and chapter organization evaluation of the results of their efforts to increase APWU Health Plan membership and their eligibility for these incentives will be determined in April after the final results of the FEHB Open Season are received by the APWU Health Plan.

For each new member an APWU local, state or chapter Organization adds to APWU Health Plan coverage from September to April, that organization will receive a cash payment of $50 from the APWU Secretary Treasurer’s office. These new additions are determined by taking the April count and subtracting the previous September’s count.

Every APWU local, state and chapter organization is also eligible for the below incentives based on the size of that organization and the percentage of their members that belong to the APWU Health Plan.