State and Public School Life and Health Insurance
Benefits Sub-Committee 
Minutes
August 11, 2006 – 9:00 AM

The Benefits Sub-Committee of the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Board (hereinafter called the Committee) met on Friday, August 11, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in the EBD Board Room, 501 Woodlane, Suite 500, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Members Present				Members Absent
Shelby McCook				Janis Harrison		
Nancy Sheehan				Jeff Altemus
Joe Musgrove			Janie Roach		 
Rhonda Jaster for Debbie Veach		Becky Walker
 	 					
	Sharon Dickerson, Executive Director, Employee Benefits Division.

Others Present:
Connie Diggs, Kim Wilmot, Ashli Davis, EBD; Bryan Meldrum, Nova Sys Health; Rhonda Jaster, ACHI; Eddie Fryer, USAble Life; Ron DeBerry, David Bridges, Kathy Ryan, Barbara Melugin, ABCBS/HA; Mona Neal, PSC; Shonda Rocke, NMHC; Roy Lamm, Qual Choice; Diann Gwatney, AHTD; Janet Fotioo, PSE; Lynn Lawrence, Delta Dental; Sharon Marcum, CorpHealth; Mark Helm, EBRX; April Carson, Data Path; Nicole Patterson; USAble; Nicki Carr, ACHI

Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Shelby McCook

Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Shelby McCook to approve the minutes of the prior meeting.  Musgrove seconded.  Motion approved.

TMJ by Connie Diggs, EBD; Kevin Geurtsen, Milli man   
Diggs explained TMJ disorder and the treatment options that are available.  McCook had requested additional information about TMJ in the June 9, 2006 Committee meeting to determine if the benefit amount should be increased.  Currently the benefit limited is a $500.00 maximum. 
  
The Committee viewed a slide show presented by Diggs about TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) disorder also known as TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders). TMJ is a complex set of joints which attaches the lower jaw to the skull.
   
Diggs said that The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) of the National Institute (NIH) states that over 10 million people in the United States suffer from the TMJ problems at any given time, majority being women in their childbearing years. 
  
Diggs gave the Committee information about TMJ and explained the surgical and nonsurgical treatment options that are available.  Included was a diagram of surgical correction of upper and lower jaw.  Orthognathic surgery involves a wide variety of surgical procedures performed to place the teeth, jaw bones and other associated hard and soft tissue structures into their best anatomical positions. The cost for this type of treatment is $8,000 for each side of the jaw.  

Diggs told the Committee about a visit she had with Shelby Woodiel, D.D.S., F.I.C.C.M.O. with Arkansas TMJ Center of Little Rock.  The Center has been treating TMJ disorder for 35 years.  The cost of Orthotic placement is estimated to be about $1,175.00(includes x-rays, EMG studies, craniomandibular scan, and temporary orthotic and periodic evaluation).  If permanent orthotic is needed the cost would increase to $2,500.00.  

Musgrove had concerns about benefit abuse.  Musgrove stated that there may be some cases where the diagnosis may not be TMJ, since identifying the disorder is very limited. 

Diggs added that the Plan makes decisions that are evidence-based; however there is very little objective information that is evidence-based about TMJ.   

Dickerson stated that she is a member of a nationwide organization called the   The Benefits Administrator.  She will request additional information from them about TMJ, and provide her findings to the Committee at the next meeting.  

The Committee also heard testimonial from member Janet Fotioo.  Fotioo shared her experiences with TMJ.   

McCook stated that increasing the benefit limit alone is not enough.  McCook suggested that an in-depth study of TMJ should be done.  The Committee should consider coming up with a control program.  McCook suggested that the Committee could use the cases of the members that utilize the program for future benefits decisions.   

The Committee agreed to revisits the issue in the next Committee meeting.  

Communication by Ashli Davis
Davis presented a slide show titled “Two…Four …Six…Eight….How do we communicate?” It outlined some of the communication challenges and what EBD does to meet them.  Davis talked about all the current methods of communications that serves a large population of State and School Employees, Vendors and more.  Davis also played a sample of a PowerPoint that was sent to the Schools in which she talked about benefit options, publications and enrollment procedures.  

Dickerson told the Committee about EBD’S plan for the future for the new Summary Plan Description (SPD). Next year the SPD will be available on a CD.  

HRA by Rhonda Jaster 
Jaster announced that the new version of the Health Risk Assessment is currently available on line and via phone for Public School Employees (PSE) open enrollment.  Jaster reported that one thousand members took the survey within the first two days.  Jaster demonstrated for the Committee the steps on how to take the HRA Assessment including how to access the links to different sites that offer general resources and health tip information.  

Currently not all of the information has been translated to Spanish however Jaster stated that they will continue to work to improve the survey.  

Musgrove added that EBD should encourage the Agencies to do whatever they think is appropriate to maximize the usage of the survey.  Although Musgrove feels that the employee should be allowed the time to take the survey, it is possible that the links within the survey that offer general information can be accessed at another time.   

Dickerson agreed that the members should be allowed the time to complete the survey and said she would take the appropriate steps to communicate this to all the necessary people.    
	
Weight Management by Sharon Dickerson 
Dickerson reported that she is still working with Baptist Hospital regarding a discount for the Weight Loss program.  Dickerson stated that she has been assured that there will be a discount in the future; however, it is possible there will not be a discount now due to the unknown numbers and locations of our members and what Baptist will be required to do to provide services outside the Little Rock area.

Dickerson also has contacted UAMS; however UAMS has concluded that they could not make the Weight loss program statewide.  

In the first month over 500 people enrolled in the Balance and Nourish program with Corphealth.
 
Dickerson also participates in the Weight loss program and updated the Committee on her seventh week in the program.  Currently Dickerson has lost a totaled of 15 pounds.  Dickerson discussed the Individualize Report that participates receive during their sixth week in the program.  The report included information about where you are health wise versus where you need to be.  The report explains the health risk factors and how you can mitigate those factors. 
Dickerson also told the Committee about how she has been motivated into participating in other extra activities since enrolling in the program.  

Dickerson recommended moving forward with the Phase II of the Weight Loss program to cover the doctor and nurse visit, the lab and the classes.  Members will be responsible for the cost of their own food.  

Sheehan approved the motion as presented by Dickerson. Musgrove seconded.   

Meeting adjourned  

NEXT MEETING
September 8, 2006