| How we began | In response to continually escalating health benefits premium costs, the NY44 Health Benefits Plan Trust was established in 2003 as a tax exempt Article 44 Trust to contain health care costs at Erie 1 BOCES. The plan later expanded to employees and eligible retirees of not only Erie 1 BOCES but also to school districts throughout New York State. Beginning its ninth year of operation, and having achieved self-funded status in January 2008, the Trust has grown to approximately 8,000 enrollees in 30 participating districts/schools, representing 79 bargaining units. |
| What sets us apart | What makes the Trust unique is that the plan, overseen by the New York Insurance Department, is controlled by 10 trustees who are employees of Erie 1 BOCES: five appointed by the labor organizations and five appointed by Erie 1 BOCES’ administration. Because the Trust is jointly run, both union and management have an equal say in how it operates including decisions about benefits offered to the members and annual contribution rates charged to the school. |
| Collaboration | Enrollment continues to increase, as the initial success is shared with other local school districts and BOCES across |
| Value | The Trust has already reported cost savings and other benefits. The plan has historically contained its costs by nearly 10% annually, amounting to over $60 million dollars. As a self-funded plan, the Trust benefits from having contribution rates which more closely reflect the actual health claims experience of the Trust’s covered employees as opposed to an industry-wide experience, which a traditional insurance plan, employing ‘community rating’ would adopt. The plan offers two options based on the employees' area of residence. The Independent Health option provides coverage for residents of the eight Western New York counties of Allegany*, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, The MVP option provides coverage for residents of the majority of counties in New York State; the exceptions are the counties of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, |
| Reputation | The Trust is proud of its reputation for providing quality, cost-effective health benefits. As with our founding organization, Erie 1 BOCES, we are committed to those we service. |
