We are committed to offering our employees competitive benefits and we endorse a health plan that promotes healthy lifestyle choices. However, INI is in the same boat as the rest of the country, we're struggling to cope with seemingly out-of-control increases in health care costs.
We've recently finished the annual review of INI benefits. There is one change this coming year to the INI employee group benefits program. The lifetime coverage limit for participants will increase from $1 million to $2 million. All other deductibles and coverage terms remain the same however, please carefully read this summary of the benefits programs so you understand how it affects you or your dependents. The new Plan Year beginsAugust 1, 2007.
The basic participant premium for medical coverage will increase from $75 to $80 per pay period. We're able to offer a tobacco-free discount again this year. Participants who apply and qualify for this discount will pay $73 per pay period. We'll also continue to offer a healthy initiatives plan anda wellness/prevention component to the plan.
The prescription drug premium does not change this year. It remains $18.50per participant per pay period. The co-pays also remain the same at $5 forgeneric drugs, $25 for brand drugs and $45 for non-formulary drugs. New rules for some drugs were added last year and have helped keep costs down. As a way to reflect these savings, we're passing them along to employees in the form of no premium increase. Please carefully review the changes belowunder Prescription Drug Plan so you understand any changes that affect youor your dependents.
The dental coverage premium rises slightly from $12.50 to $12.75 per participant per pay period.
All regular fulltime employees are eligible for group benefits. Spouses may also qualify. Unmarried children (biological and adopted or placed in thehome for adoption) may also be eligible provided they are under the age of 19 and more than 50% dependent for support. (Court-ordered medical coveragemay also qualify for dependents not in the home). Unmarried children up toage 25 who are full-time students can be covered under the Medical Plan provided a Student Certification Form (available from Blue Cross) is submitted by August 1 each year. Newly hired INI employees who sign up forbenefits begin receiving them after 3 full calendar months of service.
There will be no change to the Long Term Disability premium or the premium for Supplemental Life insurance this year.
Enrolling or changing your coverage is easy. If you're already enrolled inINI's group benefits plan, and you don't want to make any coverage changes for you or your dependents, you won't need to do anything.
Open Enrollment for the 2007-2008 Plan Year begins July 9 for employees who qualify for coverage or want to change their current benefits. (Enrollmentends on July 21). The Plan Year starts August 1, 2007 and ends July 31,2008. To change your benefits or enroll during Open Enrollment log ontoCeridian Self Service at sourceselfservice2.ceridian.com/ independentnewspapers and click the Open Enrollment flag. It will take you to the Benefits section where you can make changes to your benefits or enroll. If you have problems with OpenEnrollment please contact inipayroll@newszap.com for help.
If you do not have access to a computer and you'd like to arrange to use acompany computer to handle your enrollment, please contactinipayroll@newszap.com or call 1-800-426-4192, or 302-741-8274 if callingfrom Delaware.
To see a complete review of INI's group benefits go to VIII. Benefit SummaryPlans in initoolbox. Below is the 2007-2008 Overview.
Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits Summary
(August 1, 2007 through July 31, 2008 Coverage Year)
Medical Plan
Independent Newspapers Inc. offers a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)Plan through Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Delaware. The PPO allows you to access care at a lower cost when using 'In Network' providers without obtaining a referral. When using an Out of Network provider, you will pay a higher portion of the costs, and you are responsible for charges in excess of the plan's allowable benefit.
Plan features and premiums:
-$2 million lifetime coverage. This means a covered participant has $2million in total lifetime coverage while on the plan. Until 2007 the totallifetime coverage was $1 million.
-100% Wellness Prevention coverage for approved checkups and tests. Somemilestone checkups and tests are considered by Blue Cross Blue Shield ofDelaware as important for maintaining good health and they are 100% covered.They include physicals, well-child visits, immunizations, gynecologicalexams, cholesterol and blood sugar testing, age milestone tests such as mammogram, colonoscopy and more. For complete coverage details visit http://www.bcbsde.com/ or call 1- 800-633-2563.
-Healthy Dividends. This Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware program rewards exercise, weight loss, and smoking cessation. This program is available toall who participate in the Medical Plan. The program offers reimbursement to those who take steps to quit smoking, exercise or lose weight through the plans offered under Healthy Dividends. Check the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware web site at bcbsde.com/customers/Customer_Product_HealthyDividends.asp or call 1-800-633-2563 for details.
-Tobacco-free Discount* is offered to any Medical Plan participant whoqualifies. To be eligible, you must attest that you (your dependents) andyour household have been tobacco-free for the past 12 months. (This meansthat no one uses tobacco products of any kind, including cigarettes, chewingtobacco, cigars, pipe tobacco etc.). If you qualify, you will pay a reduced premium for you and any dependents on the plan. The discounted participantrate will be $73 per person per pay period instead of this year's regularper participant premium of $80 per pay period.
*Employees who receive the Tobacco-Free Discount are REQUIRED to notify INIwithin 30 days if the tobacco status in their household changes. Providing untrue information about tobacco use in order to qualify for this discountcould result in lifetime suspension of medical benefits coverage for you andyour dependents.
Spousal coverage requirement. Please keep in mind that your spouse is noteligible for coverage under INI's plan if he or she is able to receivecoverage through another employer or provider. If you elect coverage for your spouse you'll need to confirm in the Enrollment form that your spouseis not eligible for medical coverage through any other plan. If your spouseis already enrolled in INI's medical plan and employer coverage DOES become available at some future date, you'll want to quickly choose that option toavoid loss of benefits for your spouse. (INI benefits will be cancelled when other employer coverage is available).
Deductibles, co-insurance, co-pays and maximum out of pocket limits. The chart below outlines coverage limits. In-Network coverage continues to bethe less expensive option.
Benefits
In-Network
Out-of-Network
Deductible
$500 Individual/$1000 Family
$600 Individual/$1200 Family
Out-of-Pocket Maximums
$1,500 Individual/$2,250 Family
$4,500 Individual/$6,750 Family
Coinsurance Level
85%
70%
Lifetime Maximum
$1,000,000
Physician Services
$20 co-pay per visit
70% after deductible
Physicals
100%
70% after deductible
Well-child Visits
100%
70% after deductible
Hospitalization*
Inpatient
85% after deductible
70% after deductible
Outpatient
85% after deductible
70% after deductible
Diagnostic Testing
85% after deductible
70% after deductible
Pregnancy & Maternity
85% after deductible
70% after deductible
Emergency Accident
$75.00 Co pay
Outpatient Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapies
85% after deductible
70% after deductible
Mental Health*
Inpatient85% after deductible
70% after deductible
Up to 31 days per year
Outpatient 85% after deductible
70% after deductible
Up to 30 visits per year
Substance Abuse*
Inpatient and Outpatient
85% after deductible
70% after deductible
Up to 31 days per year
*Pre-Certification required. When you seek care in network, your Preferred Provider will arrange for all necessary certifications. When you seek care out of network, you must arrange for your own certifications. If you fail to do so, benefits will be reduced by 50%.
This is a brief description of the medical program. Actual benefitpayments made in accordance with the master contract.
Prescription Drug Plan
The prescription plan is separate from your medical coverage. This means you must choose prescription coverage if you wish to have prescription benefits. The plan has a three-tier co-pay and a mail order feature foryour maintenance/long term medications.
Generic Drugs
$5 co pay
Preferred Brand Name Drugs
$25 co pay
Non-Preferred Brand Name Drugs
Medical Plan
Independent Newspapers Inc. offers a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)Plan through Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Delaware. The PPO allows you to access care at a lower cost when using 'In Network' providers without obtaining a referral. When using an Out of Network provider, you will pay a higher portion of the costs, and you are responsible for charges in excess of the plan's allowable benefit.
Plan features and premiums:
-$2 million lifetime coverage. This means a covered participant has $2million in total lifetime coverage while on the plan. Until 2007 the totallifetime coverage was $1 million.
-100% Wellness Prevention coverage for approved checkups and tests. Somemilestone checkups and tests are considered by Blue Cross Blue Shield ofDelaware as important for maintaining good health and they are 100% covered.They include physicals, well-child visits, immunizations, gynecologicalexams, cholesterol and blood sugar testing, age milestone tests such as mammogram, colonoscopy and more. For complete coverage details visit http://www.bcbsde.com/ or call 1- 800-633-2563.
-Healthy Dividends. This Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware program rewards exercise, weight loss, and smoking cessation. This program is available toall who participate in the Medical Plan. The program offers reimbursement to those who take steps to quit smoking, exercise or lose weight through the plans offered under Healthy Dividends. Check the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware web site at bcbsde.com/customers/Customer_Product_HealthyDividends.asp or call 1-800-633-2563 for details.
-Tobacco-free Discount* is offered to any Medical Plan participant whoqualifies. To be eligible, you must attest that you (your dependents) andyour household have been tobacco-free for the past 12 months. (This meansthat no one uses tobacco products of any kind, including cigarettes, chewingtobacco, cigars, pipe tobacco etc.). If you qualify, you will pay a reduced premium for you and any dependents on the plan. The discounted participantrate will be $73 per person per pay period instead of this year's regularper participant premium of $80 per pay period.
*Employees who receive the Tobacco-Free Discount are REQUIRED to notify INIwithin 30 days if the tobacco status in their household changes. Providing untrue information about tobacco use in order to qualify for this discountcould result in lifetime suspension of medical benefits coverage for you andyour dependents.
Spousal coverage requirement. Please keep in mind that your spouse is noteligible for coverage under INI's plan if he or she is able to receivecoverage through another employer or provider. If you elect coverage for your spouse you'll need to confirm in the Enrollment form that your spouseis not eligible for medical coverage through any other plan. If your spouseis already enrolled in INI's medical plan and employer coverage DOES become available at some future date, you'll want to quickly choose that option toavoid loss of benefits for your spouse. (INI benefits will be cancelled when other employer coverage is available).
Deductibles, co-insurance, co-pays and maximum out of pocket limits. The chart below outlines coverage limits. In-Network coverage continues to bethe less expensive option.
Benefits
In-Network
Out-of-Network
Deductible
$500 Individual/$1000 Family
$600 Individual/$1200 Family
Out-of-Pocket Maximums
$1,500 Individual/$2,250 Family
$4,500 Individual/$6,750 Family
Coinsurance Level
85%
70%
Lifetime Maximum
$1,000,000
Physician Services
$20 co-pay per visit
70% after deductible
Physicals
100%
70% after deductible
Well-child Visits
100%
70% after deductible
Hospitalization*
Inpatient
85% after deductible
70% after deductible
Outpatient
85% after deductible
70% after deductible
Diagnostic Testing
85% after deductible
70% after deductible
Pregnancy & Maternity
85% after deductible
70% after deductible
Emergency Accident
$75.00 Co pay
Outpatient Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapies
85% after deductible
70% after deductible
Mental Health*
Inpatient85% after deductible
70% after deductible
Up to 31 days per year
Outpatient 85% after deductible
70% after deductible
Up to 30 visits per year
Substance Abuse*
Inpatient and Outpatient
85% after deductible
70% after deductible
Up to 31 days per year
*Pre-Certification required. When you seek care in network, your Preferred Provider will arrange for all necessary certifications. When you seek care out of network, you must arrange for your own certifications. If you fail to do so, benefits will be reduced by 50%.
This is a brief description of the medical program. Actual benefitpayments made in accordance with the master contract.
Prescription Drug Plan
The prescription plan is separate from your medical coverage. This means you must choose prescription coverage if you wish to have prescription benefits. The plan has a three-tier co-pay and a mail order feature foryour maintenance/long term medications.
Generic Drugs
$5 co pay
Preferred Brand Name Drugs
$25 co pay
Non-Preferred Brand Name Drugs
$45 co pay
The Plan has a mandatory generic drug requirement. If a generic drug is available but a brand name drug is dispensed, you will be required to pay the brand co pay plus the price difference between the brand and thegeneric.
Dental
The dental benefit is provided through Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Delaware. You may receive services from any licensed dentist in your area. Routineexams include cleanings and x-rays, and are recommended twice per year. All benefits are paid based on the BCBS of DE allowable charge.
Dental Benefit Chart
Benefit/Class
Coverage
Deductible
$50 Individual/$150 Family
Maximum
$1,000 per person per plan year
Preventive
100% - Deductible waived
Basic
80% after deductible is met
Major
50% after deductible is met
Basic Life & Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
Independent Newspapers provides every regular fulltime employee with abasic life insurance benefit in the amount of $10,000. An additional Accidental Death & Dismemberment benefit for the same amount applies to a death resulting from an accident or certain injuries. These benefits are provided free to qualified employees.
Voluntary Life Insurance
Independent Newspapers offers qualified employees the option of purchasing additional life insurance in units of $10,000 to a maximum of $200,000.
New employees: All newly hired regular fulltime employees can buy additional coverage up to $100,000 as part of their initial benefits sign up. Newemployees who want to purchase coverage above that amount (up to a max. of$200,000) will need to satisfactorily complete the Evidence of Insurabilityform and approval process.
All other regular fulltime employees: Any qualified employee not alreadycovered can add life insurance during Open Enrollment. Any coveredemployee can buy additional coverage during Open Enrollment. In both cases, the same coverage limits (above) apply and coverage is contingent upon successful completion of the Evidence of Insurability form and approval process.
Spouses and dependents: Covered employees may also buy life insurancecoverage for a spouse. Coverage may be up to or equal to 50% of the amountof insurance purchased for the employee, rounded to the nearest $10,000.The Evidence of Insurability rules apply. Coverage for dependent childrenfrom 6 months to age 26 can be bought in the amount of $1,000, $2,000,$4,000, $5,000 or $10,000. Evidence of Insurability is not required fordependent child coverage.
Voluntary Long-Term Disability
This plan provides qualified employees (regular fulltime) with incomecontinuation protection should injury or illness extend beyond a 180 day'elimination' period. For disabilities that commence after 8/1/2004, thebenefit pays 60% of an employee's monthly base salary up to a maximum of$10,000 per month. Evidence of Insurability is required for any employeechoosing to sign up for this coverage during Open Enrollment.
Employee Contributions
The premium(s) for medical, dental, voluntary life and voluntary long-termdisability insurance is taken on a bi-weekly basis through payrolldeduction. The contribution amount is determined by the level of benefits selected.
Cost per Participant per Pay Period
Benefit
Cost
Medical
$80.00 per covered person (tobacco-free discount: $73.00 per coveredperson)
Prescription Drug
$18.50 per covered person
Dental
$12.75 per covered person
Basic Life & AD&D
Company-paid benefit
Voluntary Long-Term Disability
$0.275 per $100 of covered payroll per month
Voluntary Life Insurance
Age-banded rates
Key Benefits Contacts
DENTAL INSURANCE: Go to http://www.bcbsde.com/ to submit your questions about dentalbenefits or claims, or call Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware at 800-633-2563.
DISABILITY INSURANCE: Email inipayroll@newszap.com .DRUG BENEFITS: Go to http://www.expressscripts.com/ to view information about drug coverage or claims, or call Express Scriptsat 800-451-6245.
HEALTH INSURANCE: Go to http://www.bcbsde.com/ to submityour questions about health benefits or claims, or call Blue Cross BlueShield of Delaware at 800-633-2563.
LIFE INSURANCE: Email inipayroll@newszap.com.
401K PLAN: To check account balances, view selected funds and review moniesin these funds, access your 401k account information through the Internet,by going to www.jhpensions.com. Existing users should select 'sign in' and first time users should select 'register'. When asked for a contract number, enter 61386 and then follow sign in or sign up instructions. 401k participants can also call Manulife/John Hancock at800-395-1113. (rev. 3/05).
QUESTIONS ON 401K PLAN? Email Liberty Benefit's Pension Analyst atpensions@lbg1.com. Or, you can contact the Participant Service team atLincoln Benefits Group at (800) 826-7859.
CHANGE OF 401K DEFERRALS? Log onto Ceridian Self Service at sourceselfservice2. ceridian.com/independentnewspapers and select 401(K) Elections under Benefits.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS: Email inipayroll@newszap.com with your questions.
