<strong>LDA</strong>council on insuranceDr. Keith R. KylerChairman, <strong>LDA</strong> Council on InsuranceUpdate on <strong>LDA</strong>-Endorsed Health InsuranceProgramThe November 1, 2009, transition of the <strong>LDA</strong>endorsedhealth insurance program from NipponLife to Companion Life Insurance Company is nearingcompletion. Because the move to Companion Lifewas not a carrier takeover as we have experienced inthe past, additional underwriting was required by thenew carrier. This review was justified to ensure thatpremiums for all insureds correctly reflected the cost oftheir actual <strong>and</strong> projected utilization.Realistically, in any major carrier change, therewill be some participant attrition. I am pleased toreport, however, that our insurance representatives atRobert Ellis & Associates (REA) assisted the majorityof our members previously covered under Nippon intheir successful transition to Companion. In addition<strong>and</strong> acting on behalf of the <strong>LDA</strong>, REA also assistedany member requiring alternative benefits outsidethe sponsored program to secure insurance in thecommercial marketplace. To the best of my knowledge,every <strong>LDA</strong> member affected by Nippon’s withdrawalfrom the state has secured coverage.The transition to Companion Life on November1 also brings about several important changes in theprogram, including: <strong>and</strong> financial stability of Companion Life.Companion is a subsidiary of Blue Cross/BlueShield of South Carolina <strong>and</strong> provides the <strong>LDA</strong>program with an A+ rated carrier of outst<strong>and</strong>ingstability <strong>and</strong> marketplace prestige. Deductible Health Plans qualified for use with aHealth Saving Account (HSA) has been greatlyexp<strong>and</strong>ed. Individual <strong>and</strong> family deductiblesranging from $1,500 to $11,600 coupled with achoice of co-insurance options provide a wide rangeof monthly premium choices to accommodate theneeds of you <strong>and</strong> your family. individual <strong>and</strong> group applicants. This can meansubstantial savings in premium for those notdesiring this coverage. For individuals who wantmaternity coverage, benefits are subject to a12-month waiting period from the effective dateof coverage with a $5,000 maximum benefit perpregnancy thereafter. In groups of two or more,maternity is payable as any other eligible expense.In closing, I would like to reassure all current <strong>and</strong>prospective participants that the endorsed healthinsurance program remains strong <strong>and</strong> continues tobe an important benefit of Association membership.The <strong>LDA</strong>-endorsed program under Companion Life ishealthy <strong>and</strong> competively priced, <strong>and</strong> we are optimisticfor its future growth. In today’s economy, I urge everymember not on Medicare to consider one of the <strong>LDA</strong>endorsedhigh deductible health plans featuring lowermonthly premiums <strong>and</strong> tax deductible contributions toa health savings account (HSA).Our endorsed portfolio contains the only health,life, long term disability <strong>and</strong> property <strong>and</strong> casualtyprograms designed exclusively by <strong>and</strong> for you as <strong>LDA</strong>members. The new Long Term Disability programshould be of special interest to each of you. It notonly provides the “own occ” definition of disabilitytypically found in expensive individual plans, it doesso at extremely competitive group prices negotiated onbehalf of the <strong>LDA</strong> <strong>and</strong> its members.If you are not currently covered under the <strong>LDA</strong>program or if you have any questions regarding yourcurrent benefits, I encourage you to contact Stormy Blair,Matt Hightower or Donna Hebert, your <strong>LDA</strong>-endorsedinsurance program representatives at Robert Ellis &Associates, at 985-674-3880 or 1-888-503-5547.18 <strong>LDA</strong> <strong>Journal</strong>
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