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S.P.F.P.A. Sponsored Benefit Programs

Historically the bulk of negotiations have been spent on language, work rules, and wages. Employers have made the bulk of the decisions regarding benefits: what, who, plan design, etc.

Because of the dramatic changes in technology and our aging population, the price for healthcare is and will continue to skyrocket. The SPFPA leadership understands it must spend more time during negotiations with issues concerning benefits to obtain more control over our destiny.

The SPFPA Executive Board has empowered our Benefit Specialists, Humanomics, to move expeditiously to implement benefit program that will fill a strong need at your local level: quality benefits at affordable prices.

We realize that some of you now receive cash in lieu of benefits, and that this practice has created an extreme hardship in situations where an unexpected medical crisis may have arisen. Others have been forced to stand by and watch as you and your fellow members' current benefits shrink or disappear in an environment of spiraling medical costs. Still others have serious concerns about having adequate savings to supplement Social Security in retirement. While there is no easy "one size fits all" solution, we clearly see that this is a crucial need that must

be addressed to protect our members in the near term and out into the future.

We are pleased to be able to provide a variety of solid benefit plans from which to choose. Since you at the local level are uniquely tasked with managing in keeping with the best interest of your members, you are best qualified to choose the plans that best fit with your membership's needs and goals.

Here's how it works

Medical Benefits

Upon invitation, a Humanomics Benefit Specialist participates in negotiations, leveraging their knowledge and expertise in the Benefits discipline to effectively counter the Management attorneys and Human Resources professionals. Local leadership and members take part in benefits discussions to clearly identify needs. The union obtains agreements from the employer to enable the union sponsor and choose their own benefits.

Competitive bidding is conducted, and the Local members choose from several options that provide the best value in your specific location.

Once the benefit plans are selected from the available options, a solid and reliable Third Party Administrator is used to receive the funds, pay the bills, and insure that everything is legally compliant.

Enrollment meetings are conducted, along with quarterly follow-up-meetings. Every effort is made to insure that members use, understand, and appreciate their benefits as a part of their total rewards package.

Pension Plans

At your request, Humanomics will set up an account for your local within the SPFPA Internationals Pension Plan that has been established via a Taft Hartley Trust.

The plan is already established with a reputable, financially solid Third Party Administrator. Your local is simply added to the SPFPA's International Plan.

MEDICAL PLAN OPTIONS:

Four types of group medical plans are available for your consideration.

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TRADITIONAL MAJOR MEDICAL PLAN

Vender Choices: Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Kaiser, Other Regionally-underwritten plans

Advantages

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Includes HMO, PPO, POS plans

Provides comprehensive coverage for illnesses/ injuries with $1,000,000 max.

Allows use of in or out-of-network providers, with in-network discounts.

Reduces payroll tax in instances where members now receive cash in lieu of benefits, since benefits are tax free.

Shifts risk to the insurance company.

Provides best value for members.

Disadvantages

Requires local to gather and submit information on membership to obtain price quotes.

Requires all members who have no insurance to enroll, making implementation difficult in situations where members are currently receiving cash in lieu of benefits.

Includes pre-existing clauses, meaning that members with prior health issues may not be covered for those conditions for a short period of time.Cost more than most other types of coverage. May enjoy less support from employers due to the higher cost.

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SCHEDULED INDEMNITY MEDICAL PLANS

Advantages

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Provides comprehensive benefits as a package (not just medical, but dental, life, disability, ect).

Utilize network for savings.

Provides coverage with no pre-existing clause.

Provides tax-free benefit

Features no deductibles except dental.

Provides much more affordable benefits with several levels pf plans: includes coverage for part-timers, as well.

Enables local to get price quotation without submission of detailed membership data.

Vender Choices: Cigna

Disadvantages

Provides benefits based on a schedule, which may or may not cover the entire cost.

Exposes member to greater out of pocket costs in the event of catastrophic event, since there are plan limitations well below $1,000,000.Shifts only part of the risk to the insurance company

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SCHEDULED INDEMNITY MEDICAL PLANS WITH PPO OPTION

Advantages

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Provides same advantages as Scheduled Indemnity Medical Plans, but with PPO option and higher maximums.

Disadvantages

Features maximums that are less than traditional plans. Has deductibles. Cost more than Scheduled Indemnity Medical Plans.

Vender Choices: Cigna

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VOLUNTARY AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL MEDICAL PLANS

(Plan may provide comprehensive medical coverage or strictly accident, cancer, life or disability as separate)

Advantages

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Is completely voluntary for each member

No required participation

Provides affordable coverage

Offers flexibility, in that the plan may provide base coverage or fill in gaps in underlying medical plan.

Is tax efficient for the member, in that premiums are paid pre-tax.

Enables local to get price quotation without submission of detailed membership data.

Disadvantages

Falls short of substituting for medical coverage (best used as supplement)

Vender Choices: Cigna, AFLACK,Allstate

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DENTAL PLAN OPTIONS

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All Dental Plans offered are group plans that may feature PPO or DMO (Dental HMO) plan designs. Coverage varies, and may include orthodontia. The DMO plan design is the most inexpensive, but all of these plans are affordable.

Vender Choices: Cigna, Ameritas

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LIFE INSURANCE OPTIONS

The Life Insurance Plans offered are typically group plans that provide term life insurance, as these are most inexpensive. Individual life insurance featuring whole life or universal life coverage is an additional option.These plans do not fulfill estate planning requirements, but the experts can assist with these plans also.

Vender Choices: Unum, Cigna

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DISABILITY INSURANCE OPTIONS

Most states currently do not have disability plans, and those that do often do not provide the level of coverage needed by the members. When a worker is disabled, the bills continue at the same time that medical costs occur, and there are no wages to cover the increased expenses. Group plans are the most affordable option to bridge the gap, and the ones we recommend.

Vender Choices: Cigna

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VISION CARE OPTIONS

Vision Care coverage is typically inexpensive, yet highly perceived by members. There are several plan designs to consider. They are usually considered part of the Indemnity package, or can be provided free of charge when Ameritas Dental is selected.

Vender Choices: Ameritas,Cigna

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401 (k) PLAN COVERAGE

The Plan features tax deferred savings via a variety of investment choices, (1) easy access to account information via phone or interest, and unlimited changes to investment selections. Our vendor also provides investment online and through onsite meetings. Members also receive quarterly statements.

Vender Choices: Transamerica Retirement Services (2)

1. Group Annuity Contract ( investment contract) form # TA-AP-2001-CONT is underwritten Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company (TFLIC), Purchase, New York and administered by Transamerica Retirement Services

2. Transamerica or Transamerica Retirement Services (TRS) refers to Transamerica Financial Life Company (TFLIC), TRS markets the products and services of TFLIC and its affiliates.

For more information about SPFPA Sponsored Benefits, please contact Humanomics Insurance Services, Inc. at (877) 315-4195.