MINUTES
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS COMMITTEE
August 15th, 2013
Members Present
Brenda Freese – Chair
Debbie Copp
Don Clothier
Suzanne Harrell
Ron Kantowski
Jannie Porter
Vince Leseney
Members Absent
Don Harrison
Frances Wen
Chad Johnson
Will Wayne
Jerry Weber
Alisa Dougless
Aimee Franklin
Suzanne Gilmore
Ex Officio Members
Les Hoven
Nick Kelly
Angela Hawpe
Tricia Rahal
Breion Rollins
Sarah Millsap
The meeting was called to order by Brenda Freese at 1:35 pm.
I.
Approval of Minutes

The July minutes were approved as written.
II. 2014 Renewal Update

BlueCross and BlueShield reviewed OU’s renewal and revised the rate
increases based on the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It was determined that
ACA would only cause a 3.5% increase instead of 4.0%, as originally
expected. Thus, the renewal increases went from 9.5% to 9.0% on the
PPO/HCA and 13.5% to 13.0% on the HMO.
III. Annual Enrollment Plans


Per Breion Rollins, annual enrollment will be October 28th through
November 8th and the benefit fairs will take place during the week of
October 21st through the 25th. In previous years only one benefit fair has
been held on the Norman campus, however, this year we will hold two
days of benefit fairs on the Norman campus.
Per Nick Kelly, Human Resources has been reviewing new software
enrollment systems that are much more user-friendly and technologically
advanced than our current system.
IV. Strategic Plan Discussion



The creation of a Strategic Planning Committee and a Steering Committee
is in process. There are a number of strategic goals that need to be
reviewed: What changes will we need to make in the future? Should OU
keep the HMO? Should OU keep all 6 salary tiers? Should OU change its
contribution strategy? How does the University react to all aspects of the
Affordable Care Act and the Exchanges? How should OU handle part-time
employees and the requirement to provide insurance to them? How
should wellness incentives be implemented? When should OU begin
looking at other vendors? Should funding methods be changed? Should
the medical, dental and/or vision be bundled together?
The Strategic Planning Committee will work alongside the Employee
Benefits Committee.
Many are concerned with the low morale on campus. The faculty and staff
need to know that these committees are being formed in order to help
prepare for the future, not to reduce their benefits.
V. Updates from Chief Human Resources Officer


Per Les, the primary challenge for this coming year will be communication
– not only with communicating the rate increases, but also informing
employees of the Exchanges. This will be a confusing time for many, so it
will take more effort on our part.
The Notice of Exchange must be provided to employees beginning in
October. We should consider creating a Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ) flyer to go along with it.
VI. Other Business

Brenda Freese officially stepped down as Committee Chair due to her
retirement. Don Clothier was nominated and approved as new Chair
starting at the September EBC meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:38 p.m.