I am respectfully requesting your support and vote for Director, APWU Health Plan Department, a position I have held since 1985.
In each of the last three years the health plan has increased its enrollment for a total of 27525…Our net increase for the 2010 open season came to 10070.
Based on the efficiencies of our operation the OPM has authorized a service fee to the Union in excess of $5,300,000.00 in 2010 (equivalent to dues paid by 23000 members). In the last three years alone the Union has received in excess of 14.5 million dollars. These amounts do not include dues received from over 50000 retirees nor does it include the dues received from over 15000 Associate members. I do not need to tell you the impact these revenues have on the overall financial condition of the Union. The APWU Health Plan is a very important part of the Union
The Health Plan continues to meet or exceed guidelines established by the OPM as well as those of the consultants hired by Executive Board to review the operation of the plan. Those reports are available for review.
A state of the art claims processing system as well as one of the most sophisticated telephone systems is presently in place and individuals can dial directly to claims history or leave a call back number if they do not wish to wait on line to speak to a CSR. Members also have access to claims history via the internet.
We continue to work with our Preferred Provider networks to increase the numbers of providers and work with our members to enroll recommended providers.
The high option plan has improved benefits and has done so without adversely affecting the premium. Premium increases have been below the federal average in each of the last three years. The consumer driven option also had benefit improvements without any premium increases in the last three years.
I strongly encourage each of you to visit the OPM web site www.opm.gov/insure and compare plans. Compare your present plan against any other plan in the program. You will find that the APWU plans are very competitive.
Health Plan related accomplishments:
- Consumer Driven Option
- Toll free line for members
- Toll free line for Health Plan Representatives
- Improved telephone response system
- Medicare crossover of claims for retirees
- Preferred Provider Organizations
- Coordinated Care Programs
- Mail Order and Retail prescription drug programs
- Wellness benefit (unique in the FEHBP)
- 24 hour medical help line
- Revised Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
- Reader friendly Health Plan Brochure
- Health Plan Brochure on Audio cassette for visually impaired
- State of the Art computer system
- Claims scanning system
- Lowest operating cost (less then 6 cents per premium dollar income)
- Interactive informational Web Site (www.apwuhp.com)
- The Health Connection (quarterly communication to enrollees)
- Annual Health Plan Seminar
- Claims processing time turn around amongst the best in the FEHBP.
- NEB consultants highest approval rating
- OPM highest approval rating.
Union Experience
- Buffalo, NY Union member since date of hire (September 1962)
Union Health Plan member since 1962 - Secretary-Treasurer Buffalo, NY Local (NAPO&GSME)
- President, Buffalo, NY Local (NAPO&GSME)
- National Secretary Treasurer, (NAPO&GSME) 1970-1971
- APWU Article 8 Grievance Representative
- APWU Negotiating Team, Maintenance Craft, 1971, 1973, 1975 & 1978
- APWU National Executive Board 1971-1980
- APWU Health Plan Board of Directors, 1971-1980, 1985-Present
- APWU Maint. Craft, Administrative Assistant, (Assistant Director B) 1971-1978
- APWU Maint. Craft, Executive Vice President, (Assistant Director A) 1978-1980
- APWU Health Plan Department, Executive Director 1980-1985
- APWU Health Plan Department, Director 1985- Present
Continue With Kaczor
Having been an elected officer for almost 40 years and having served in several capacities during this time I can say Cliff Guffey, Greg Bell , Martha Shun King, Rob Strunk, Bob Pritchard, Mike Foster and Princella Vogel are qualified, experienced, reliable and responsible and will take this Union forward. We are about to embark on a most difficult time for the Union and this most definitely is not the time to make a change just for the sake of change. I am respectfully requesting your support and your vote for them as well as myself.
VOTE THE LEADERSHIP TEAM 2010
CLIFF GUFFEY, President GREG BELL, Executive Vice President MARTHA SHUNN-KING, Organization Director WILLIAM “BILL” KACZOR, Health Plan Director ROB STRUNK, Director, Clerk Division BOB PRITCHARD, Director, Motor Vehicle Division MICHAEL FOSTER, Assistant Director, Motor Vehicle Division PRINCELLA VOGEL, Southern Regional Coordinator |
They need your vote and support.