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Home My WebLink About11-01-2005 City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board Tuesday, November 1,2005 - 10:00 AM - Council Conference Room MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Jim Kelly called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Conference Room located at Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street in Auburn. Chair Kelly and the following Board members were present: Chair Pro Tem Bud Larson (member-at-Iarge), Member Bill Peloza, and Member Roger Thordarson. Member Russ Vandver arrived at 10:11 a.m. Also present were Employee Relations and Compensation Manager John Fletcher, Board Attorney Joe Beck, and Board Secretary Danielle Daskam. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of the October 4. 2005 LEOFF Board Meetino Motion by Chair Pro Tem Larson, second by Member Thordarson to approve the October 4, 2005 minutes. MOTION CARRIED. 4-0. III. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Pendino Disabilitv Leave/Retirement Applications 1. John T. Dodd Effective Date of Disability: July 22, 2005 Last Day of Service: July 21,2005 On August 2, 2005, the LEOFF Board approved disability leave for Mr. Dodd effective July 22, 2005 with last day of service on July 21, 2005. Mr. Dodd submitted his monthly physician's report, which was included in the agenda packet. Motion by Chair Pro Tem Larson, second by Member Peloza to accept the monthly physician's report and continue Mr. Dodd's disability leave for an additional month or until cessation of the disability, whichever occurs first. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4-0. B. Medical/HearinoNision Claims LEOFF Board Minutes November 1, 2005 Page 1 City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board Tuesday, November 1, 2005 -10:00 AM - Council Conference Room 1 . Don Casselman Claim for reimbursement of vision expenses in the amount of $329.00 $205.39. Mr. Casselman's claim was tabled on August 2 and September 6, 2005 pending further clarification of Mr. Casselman's vision worksheet. On October 4, 2005, the LEOFF Board tabled the claim pending information from the Board Secretary relating to the vision exam portion of the claim. Board members reviewed a memorandum from Board Secretary Daskam regarding Mr. Casselman's claim, specifically the vision exam portion ($13.39) of the claim. According to the provider, the doctor accepted the Regence payment in full and wrote off the remaining balance. Any overpayment by Mr. Casselman was refunded to him. The claim should be amended to reflect no balance owing for Mr. Casselman's eye examination. Motion by Chair Pro Tem Larson, second by Member Thordarson to reimburse Mr. Casselman in the amount of $192.00. MOTION CARRIED. 4-0. 2. Michael Corkins Request for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred on May 28, 2005 in the amount of $~ 32.84. On October 4, 2005, the LEOFF Board tabled Mr. Corkins' claim pending the receipt of further information clarifying his claim. Mr. Corkins submitted a revised claim for payment in response to the Board's request. Motion by Member Peloza and second by Chair Pro Tem Larson to approve Mr. Corkins' revised claim in the amount of $32.84. MOTION CARRIED. 4-0. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. Appeals/Requests for Reconsideration No appeal or request for reconsideration was filed. LEOFF Board Minutes November 1, 2005 Page 2 City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board Tuesday, November 1, 2005 -10:00 AM - Council Conference Room B. Medical/HearinqNision Claims 1. Michael J. Corkins Claim for reimbursement of medical expenses in the amount of $36.00, for services received on January 3, 2005 and processed by Regence on January 31, 2005 per Regence explanation of benefits claim statement #0502221121500. Motion by Member Peloza, second by Member Thordarson to approve Mr. Corkins' claim in the amount of $36.00. MOTION CARRIED. 4-0. 2. Bruce Caldwell Claim for reimbursement of medical expenses in the amount of $48.23 for services received on July 27, 2005 and processed by Regence on August 17, 2005 per Regence explanation of benefits claim statement #0521532552500. Motion by Member Peloza, second by Member Thordarson to approve Mr. Caldwell's claim in the amount of $48.23. 3. M. Eric Bearscove Claim for reimbursement of vision expenses in the amount of $229.98. (Mr. Bearscove has not received vision expense reimbursement within the last year.) Motion by Member Peloza, second by Chair Pro Tem Larson to approve Mr. Bearscove's claim in the amount of $200.00 pursuant to LEOFF Board policy. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4-0. Board Member Vandver arrived at this time (10:11 a.m.) 4. David J. Hannitv Claim for reimbursement of vision expenses in the amount of $257.00 for services received on October 25, 2005. Mr. Hannity's claim was added as an agenda modification. Motion by Member Peloza, second by Member Thordarson to approve Mr. Hannity's claim in the amount of $200.00 pursuant to LEOFF Board policy. LEOFF Board Minutes November 1, 2005 Page 3 City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board Tuesday, November 1, 2005 - 10:00 AM - Council Conference Room MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 5-0. 5. Russ Vandver Claim for reimbursement of medical expenses in the amount of $94.00 for services received on September 28, October 12 and October 20, 2005, Mr. Vandver's claim was added as an agenda modification. Motion by Chair Pro Tem Larson, second by Member Thordarson to approve Mr. Vandver's claim in the amount of $94.00. MOTION CARRIED. 4-0. Member Vandver abstained. A. Disability Leave/Retirement Applications 1. Russ Vandver Effective Date of Disability: November 1, 2005 Last Day of Service: October 31, 2005 Mr. Vandver's application for disability leave/retirement was added as an agenda modification. On October 31, 2005, LEOFF Board Chair Jim Kelly tentatively approved disability leave for Russ Vandver effective November 1, 2005, subject to full Board review and approval. Mr. Vandver's application for disability leave/retirement includes physicians' statements from Dr. Andy J. Sands dated October 25, 2005 and Dr. J. W. Black dated October 12,2005. Mr. Vandver recused himself from the Board dais but remained in attendance as the applicant in order to respond to any Board questions. Board members reviewed Mr. Vandver's application. Motion by Member Peloza, second by Chair Pro Tem Larson to approve disability leave for Russ Vandver effective November 1, 2005 with last day of service on October 31,2005. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4-0. D. Correspondence LEOFF Board Minutes November 1, 2005 Page 4 City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board Tuesday, November 1, 2005 -10:00 AM - Council Conference Room 1. Letter dated October 8, 2005 from retired LEOFF 1 (fire) member Ed Henderson addressed to LEOFF Representative Russ Vandver regarding dental coverage and the new Medicare Part D pharmacy program. Chair Kelly acknowledged receipt of Mr. Henderson's correspondence. E. Discussion 1. New Medicare Part D Voluntary Prescription Druo Coveraoe Board Secretary Daskam distributed copies of an e-mail from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) regarding Medicare Part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Coverage) Update. Pursuant to the correspondence from AWC and Employee Relations and Compensation Manager Fletcher, AWC is mailing letters to all retirees advising that retirees can maintain their current prescription drug benefits only if they do not enroll in Medicare Part D. 2. Dental Insurance/Benefits for LEOFF 1 Retired Members At the last Board meeting, the Board members requested information on the cost of providing dental insurance for LEOFF 1 retired members. Employee Relations and Compensation Manager Fletcher reviewed the options for dental coverage for LEOFF 1. retirees. Originally LEOFF 1 members were not offered a retiree dental plan. However, in 2000, a retiree dental plan was made available. In 2000, the Association of Washington Cities notified all LEOFF 1 retirees of the opportunity to enroll in the retiree dental plan by March 2001, Retirees who failed to enroll during the enrollment period were not eligible to enroll at a later date. New retirees are offered the opportunity to enroll at the time of their retirement. Premiums are paid by the retiree. The current COBRA premium rates for Plan F (the current employee dental program) for the employee/retiree is approximately $52 per month; the retiree dental program premium rate for the retiree only is approximately $46 per month. Currently, there are two retirees who have elected dental coverage through the AWC retiree dental program. Mr. Fletcher distributed a sample dental program quoted by insurance broker Bill Kyle of Superior Insurance Service. He noted LEOFF Board Minutes November 1, 2005 Page 5 City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board Tuesday, November 1,2005 - 10:00 AM - Council Conference Room that no plan is available for only retirees; individual plans would need to be purchased for each retiree. Member Peloza noted that studies are ongoing on the effect of dental health on the overall health of a person. He expressed reluctance to implement a dental program unless there is strong evidence of the relationship between good dental health and physical health. Chair Kelly recalled that in the recent past, the Board approved two claims for considerable dental expenses that were found to be medically necessary. Mr. Fletcher noted that most dental plans cover annual dental exams and a portion of other Class 1 and Class 2 dental procedures. There could still be a large exposure for the Board for more complicated dental procedures that are found to be medically necessary. Discussion followed regarding the cost-effectiveness of a retiree dental plan. Chair Kelly requested that the Board Secretary poll other LEOFF Boards that have made decisions to offer or not offer dental benefits for the background information that led to their decisions. 3. Lonq-term Health Care Coveraqe At the last Board meeting, the Board members requested an update from the Human Resources Department on the City- purchased long-term care insurance for LEOFF 1 members. LEOFF Board Minutes November 1,2005 Page 6 Employee Relations and Compensation Manager Fletcher reported that there are currently 39 LEOFF 1 retirees who have long-term care coverage provided by the City/Board. Some LEOFF 1 retirees were not eligible and two refused to enroll. The annual premium paid by the City/Board is $89,578. Currently long-term care rates are $5,000 to $7,000 per month. The average long-term care facility stay is approximately two and one-half years. Chair Kelly questioned whether the LEOFF Board could refuse or reduce long-term care benefits for those members who refused to enroll in the long-term care provided by the City/Board. Board City of Auburn Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Disability Board Tuesday, November 1,2005 -10:00 AM - Council Conference Room Attorney Beck agreed to research whether the Board could limit coverage, but indicated that the Board may not have any alternative but to pay for expenses which are non-discretionary and medically necessary. F. Election Chair Kelly noted that the term for the police LEOFF representative will expire December 31, 2005. Nomination forms will be distributed in the next few days. Member Peloza's term will also expire on December 31st, and Mayor Lewis will appoint a member. G. December Meetinq Member Peloza requested that the Board reschedule the December 6, 2005 meetin~. Members Peloza and Thordarson will be out of town on December 61 attending a National League of Cities meeting. The Board members agreed to reschedule the meeting to December 5. The Board Secretary will make the necessary announcement. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m. 5-\-1,." APPROVED THE DAY OF \)EL"E:rv\t':)CK ,2005. ~~~ Y&1Q w LEOFF Board Minutes November 1, 2005 Page 7