A Plan Built on Partnership
Joining in mutual responsibility strengthens our liberal religious movement as we help lift each others burdens. A self-funded, Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) owned and operated health plan helps foster a mutually beneficial partnership in which eligible staff of congregations, organizations and the UUA staff alike band together to share in its stability, accessibility, and affordability.In its first year, the UUA Health Plan grew to 228 congregations, 11 Districts and affiliated Unitarian Universalist (UU) organizations, and the UUA staff. The number of previously uninsured staff was cut in half.
The positive experience in 2007 has made it possible for the Employee Benefits Trust to offer an open enrollment for 2008, expand eligibility to include interns in candidate status and staff who work 750 or more hours per year, add valuable benefit enhancements to the plan, and still keep the rates from rising at the same level as the national trend.
Most major denominations have already created plans by which churches and synagogues assist each other in providing health insurance for their employees, thus enabling a national insurance program that no single congregation could purchase individually. For most, premiums will be lower under our UUA non-profit plan than under a commercial retail one.
Allowing churches to offer quality health insurance coverage to potential employees gives them access to a larger pool of capable staff. Covering interim ministers with a completely portable health plan is a necessity. A self-funded plan removes the high costs of administration and means the plan rules are established by the UUA Health Plan Trustees. The creation of a rate stabilization fund translates into a solid investment for our members by minimizing the possibility of any financial risk.
Congregations and staff are asked to join in sharing the premium costs. Congregations or other employer-organizations are encouraged to pay at least 80% of the premium for employees and at least 50% of the premium for additional family members.
For further information: please contact the UUA Health Plan Director, UUA, 25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108, telephone (617) 948-6405 or email healthinsurance @ uua.org.
For more information contact healthinsurance @ uua.org.
Last updated on Monday, October 29, 2007.
