How we began
In response to continually escalating health benefits premium costs, the NY44 Health Benefits Plan Trust was established in 2003 as a federal 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 schools throughout New York State. Having achieved self-funded status in January 2008, the Trust has grown to include participating schools, districts, BOCES and community colleges.
What sets us apart
What makes the Trust unique is that the plan, overseen by the New York State Department of Financial Services, is controlled by 10 trustees who are employees of Erie 1 BOCES and represent all participating schools: 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.
Collaboration
The key to the Trust’s success is collaboration between labor and management.
Value
The Trust plans have historically helped contain costs for enrolled schools. 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.
Medical providers are based on the employee’s area of residence.
Nova / Independent Health provides coverage for residents of the eight Western New York counties of Allegany*, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming.
MVP Health Care provides coverage for residents of the majority of counties in New York State; the exceptions are the counties of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming, metro NYC and Long Island.
Reputation
The Trust is proud of its reputation for providing quality and cost-effective health benefits and we are committed to all the schools we service.
*Allegany County providers are determined by the school district’s location.
