HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2003-07-21 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION ON THE
CITY'S GROUP MEDICAL PLAN OF THE CITY OF NORTH
RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS HELD IN THE CITY HALL, 7301
NORTHEAST LOOP 820 - JULY 21, 2003 - 6:00 P.M.
City Council Present:
Mayor Oscar Trevino
Councilman John H. Lewis
Councilman Scott Turnage
Councilman Frank Metts, Jr.
Councilwoman JoAnn Johnson
Councilman David Whitson
Absent:
Mayor Pro Tem Joe Tolbert
Councilman Tim Welch
Staff Present:
Larry J. Cunningham, City Manager
Greg Vick, Assistant City Manager
Karen Bostic, Managing Director of Fiscal & Admin. Services
Paulette Hartman, Assistant to the City Manager
Patricia Hutson, City Secretary
Larry Koonce, Director of Finance
Patrick Hills, Human Resources Director
Cameron Rowland, Human Resources Coordinator
Mr. Preston Pomykal of McGriff, Seibels and Williams, Consultant, was present.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Trevino called the work session to order at 6:00 PM.
2.
DISCUSS CITY'S GROUP HEALTH PLAN
City Manager Cunningham explained the purpose of the work session and outlined what
staff would present.
Karen Bostic, Managing Director of Fiscal & Administrative Services, presented the
history of the city's group medical plan discussing the increasing costs, proactive
measures already taken to address the increasing costs and on-going issues and
challenges.
Patrick Hillis, Human Resources Director, reviewed the proposed changes to the group
medical plan for Plan Year 2004. Mr. Preston Pomykal, health advisor, assisted in
City Council Work Session Minutes
July 21,2003
Page 2 of 2
answering questions regarding the utilization of in-network and out-of-network services,
the availability of generic drugs, and an explanation of preferred and non-preferred
medications. The impact of the proposed changes to the employees and the city was
reviewed and discussed. Council concurred with the recommendations presented by
Staff. There was discussion on the various cost increases to the employees. Council
was in agreement that the proposed changes were necessary to address the increasing
costs and the future of the plan. There was a brief discussion on the benefits of mail
order prescription service and for staff to consider that some other employers have
made it mandatory to use prescription mail order for maintenance medications and the
City may also want to consider such a requirement.
Mr. Hillis and Mr. Pomyka talked about future expectations briefly discussing consumer
driven health plans, city and employee partnerships, continued monitoring of the costs
and utilization, the importance of educating participants and future design changes to
the plan.
Council was in agreement with the proposed changes to the plan. The City Manager
will brief Councilmen Tolbert and Welch on the changes for their concurrence, and then
Staff will disseminate the proposed changes to the employees.
3.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Trevino adjourned the work session at 9:05 PM.
ATTEST:
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Patricia Hutson - City Secretary