Memorandum from OCA Secretary concerning Orthodox Health Plans’ open enrollment period

SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications]—On Friday, November 21, 2008, OCA secretary, Archpriest Eric G. Tosi issued a memorandum to clergy and lay employees of the Orthodox Church in America concerning Orthodox Health Plans’ open enrollment period.

Fr. Eric’s memorandum reads as follows.

“At the recent All-American Council in Pittsburgh there was a presentation by Orthodox Health Plans (OHP). OHP is the Orthodox Church in America’s official health plan for clergy and lay workers. This plan is a joint effort with the Greek Archdiocese of America, the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, the Serbian Orthodox Church in America and other Orthodox jurisdictions. Orthodox Health Plans is a PPO Plan offering our clergy and lay employees the broadest and most flexible coverage and includes a prescription, drug, dental benefits. Our health insurance carrier is Aetna which is one of the single largest health care providers in the nation.

“Through our consultations with Aetna, we are able to announce a 45-day open enrollment period from November 15 to December 31, 2008. During this period, you may enroll and join our Orthodox Health Plans Group regardless of any preexisting conditions for you and/or your eligible dependents. The monthly premium for a family is 04 and for a single person is 8.

“We should explain that access to the Orthodox Health Plans is generally available only during our annual open enrollment period. That is why we urge you to take the time now to explore the benefits of OHP participation. We believe it is the best choice. Over the last five years, through high in-network usage and negotiation with our carrier, we have kept our annual renewal increase under 5% and our plan benefits have remained unchanged.

“Some of the advantages for your enrollment are broad medical coverage, prescription drugs benefits and parish transfer without interruption of coverage, just to name a few. You can find a full description of the plan, participating physicians and hospitals, at the website www.Orthodoxhealthplans.com.

“It is important to stress that you should not discontinue any coverage you currently have until you have received confirmation that your participation has been approved. In order to be accepted, your completed enrollment form with your first month’s premium must reach the Plan Administrator no later than December 28, 2008. All coverage issued under this open enrollment period will be effective January 1, 2009.

“For additional information on these offered plans, enrollment forms, or questions, please call our Plan Administrator at GDC Financial 1-800-785-4432 or see the OHP web site.”