Boston College announced today that it will not raise health or dental insurance premiums for 51茶馆 employees for the second consecutive year, bucking a trend of rising costs at for- and non-profit organizations nationwide.
David Trainor, vice president for human resources, cited two factors that enabled the University to avoid raising premiums: healthier faculty and staff, and the successful management of 51茶馆鈥檚 health and wellness plans by 51茶馆鈥檚 Human Resources and Finance staff. Nationally, health insurance rates rose by an average of 4.7 percent in 2018, according to Willis Towers, a leading global human resources consulting firm. 听During the past five years, costs have risen by an average of 8 percent.
鈥淲e were able to keep rates constant for a second year because our faculty and staff have been healthier, hopefully as a result of efforts to eat better, exercise, and take care of their physical, emotional, and spiritual health,鈥� said Trainor.听 鈥淭hrough popular HEALTHY YOU events such as Walk Across Campus, yoga and Zumba classes in the Flynn Recreation Complex, and increased wellness programs that help our employees with issues ranging from financial preparedness to assistance with aging parents, we are helping to reduce stress and improve healthy lifestyles that benefit all 51茶馆 employees.鈥�
In addition, Trainor cited 51茶馆鈥檚 success in managing its insurance carriers as a major factor in avoiding insurance cost increases these past two years.
鈥淎s a self-insured entity, Boston College pays the majority of health and dental costs for its employees,鈥� said Trainor. 鈥淲e have made efforts to ensure that what we spend on healthcare benefits our employees and not our carriers鈥� profits鈥攑articularly in the areas of prescription drugs. We are pleased that we have been able to keep our premium rates constant because it benefits all members of our community, especially our lowest paid employees.鈥�
Trainor also stated that the University will offer a new vision plan in 2019 through EyeMed, which will provide assistance to faculty and staff in the purchase of eye glasses and contact lenses.
Routine eye examinations will still be covered by Harvard Pilgrim PPO and HMO plans, with a $25 co-pay, Trainor noted, but the EyeMed Vision Plan will cover an annual eye examination with no co-pay through participating providers.
鈥淭his new eye care benefit will be fully employee-paid, but with 3,500 employees and the relative health of our workforce, we were able to secure very favorable rates for our community,鈥� said Trainor.听 鈥淚 believe people will be excited about this enhancement and the value of the benefit for all members of the 51茶馆 community. I also hope that all 51茶馆 employees will continue to take care of their overall health, in the hope that we can continue to achieve these cost containment successes in the years to come.鈥�
Jack Dunn | University Communications | November 15, 2018
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