Human Resources

February 2006

HR Advisory Group - Meeting Minutes

Attended: S. Pustay; B. Carr; B. Rusch; L. Mackenzie-Crane; J. Nichols; L. McIlyar; C. Trager; L. Payne

Absent:

Scribe: Jim Ables, Office of Human Resources

Date: February 28, 2006

Subj: HR Advisory Group Meeting Minutes - February, 2006

Cc: Seth Patton; Bill Acklin

New Items

1.Dependent Definition - Tuition Benefit - An inquiry was made regarding why the dependent definition for the tuition program is different than the definition for the healthcare program. The short answer is that the definition for healthcare is governed by Cigna's policies in general and the definition for the tuition program is governed by Denison. The definitions are very similar but the documentation needed to access the two benefits is different. However, the definition for dependent for the tuition program must meet the IRS definition of dependent for the benefit to be non-taxable. The definition and documentation needed for the tuition benefit are:

"Dependent children for this benefit are defined as son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, legally adopted child of employee, or foster child (living with the employee the entire year and providing the employee has been declared legal guardian and is providing 50% support). Unless a decree of divorce, decree of dissolution of marriage, decree of separate maintenance, or the law provides to the contrary, dependent children must be claimed as dependents on the employee's federal income tax return."

Because the healthcare program and tuition benefit program involve different parties, the documentation required and/or definition will vary.

2.Replacements - An election memo will be sent in early March to replace the outgoing HRAG representatives. This will be reviewed at our March meeting to finalize the process.

3.HR Communication Meetings - The Office of Human Resources will be coordinating the HR Communication meetings for April and May. A memo will be sent out in late March.

4.Sexual Harassment Training - Just a reminder to complete the online sexual harassment training if it has not been done already. You can access to training at: http://www.denison.edu/offices/humanresources/leadership_development_institute.

5.Cigna Insurance Question - There was a question raised about approvals needed for some drugs to be approved by Cigna HealthCare. For certain prescriptions, there are edits or approvals that have to be followed such as quantity limits, pre-authorization, and step therapy requirements (i.e. trying a generic first or a low cost brand before a higher cost brand drug). If anyone has a problem getting a drug approved, they should call the toll-free number for assistance first or call the Office Human Resources or arrange to meet a Cigna representative during the monthly meetings at Denison. This can be a frustrating process. These types of edits or approvals occur at all healthcare insurers and are designed to ensure people are getting their drugs in a safe and effective way.

Updates

1.Tuition Benefit - A proposal was brought to the Board of Trustees to increase the Cash Assistance Elsewhere Tuition Benefit to $3,000 per year from $1,500 per year. The Board approved the proposal and it is effective July 1, 2006. A dependent child must attend a four-year accredited college to be eligible. In addition, an employee must have been a full-time employee for at least two years prior to the beginning of the academic year to be eligible for this benefit.

2.Representative Lists - Lists will be handed out at the next meeting.