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The Empire Plan is a unique health insurance plan designed especially for public employees in New York State. Empire Plan benefits include inpatient and outpatient hospital coverage, medical/surgical coverage, Centers of Excellence for transplants, infertility and cancer, home care services, equipment and supplies, mental health and substance abuse coverage and prescription drug coverage.

State Seal
GEORGE E. PATAKI
GOVERNOR
STATE OF NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE
ALBANY, NEW YORK 12239
www.cs.ny.gov
GEORGE C. SINNOTT
COMMISSIONER
DANIEL E. WALL
EXECUTIVE
DEPUTY COMISSIONER

PA00-13

TO: Participating Agency Health Benefits Administrators
FROM: The Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Empire Plan Quarterly Experience Report
DATE: August 31, 2000

Enclosed are the Second Quarter Empire Plan Experience Report for 2000 and the cover letter to Chief Executive Officers.

This report provides projected year 2000 experience and projected premium rates for the year 2001.

August 31, 2000

Dear Chief Executive Officer:

Attached is the Participating Agency Second Quarter Report for 2000. This report provides projected 2000 Empire Plan experience based on claims paid through June 30, 2000, and projected premium rates for 2001.

The Empire Plan carriers are projecting a combined year 2000 surplus of $61.9 million, 2.7% of premium.

The projected premium rates for 2001 are included in Exhibit III. These projections reflect increases in the gross and net premiums of approximately 15.6% and 15.2%, respectively. The report explains the basis for these projections and future reports will include revisions based on additional claims experience.

We are pleased to announce that the New York State Long Term Care Insurance Program will commence in 2001. Please read the "Keeping You Informed" section of this report for more information.

I hope this report is informative and useful to you. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Robert W. DuBois, CEBS
Director
Employee Benefits Division

EMPIRE PLAN 2000
Second Quarter Experience Report

APRIL - JUNE 2000
Produced for
PARTICIPATING AGENCIES IN THE
NEW YORK STATE
HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
by
the Employee Benefits Division
New York State Department of Civil Service
George C. Sinnott
President, New York State Civil Service Commission

PROJECTED 2000 EMPIRE PLAN EXPERIENCE

Based on claims paid through June 30, 2000, the Empire Plan carriers project a composite dividend of $61.9 million (2.7% of premium), or $3.7 million more than the margin loaded in the 2000 rates. The 2000 annual experience projected by the insurance carriers is reported in Exhibit I.

This modestly higher projected dividend in comparison to the margin load is primarily the blended result of lower projected claims under the Blue Cross component offset by higher projected claims under the UnitedHealthcare (UHC) component. The changes to both carrier projections relate to the 1999 claim base projected at the time the 2000 rates were developed while the expected trend (2000 over 1999) remains generally consistent with the values used in the 2000 rate development.

Though Cigna's dividend projection approximates the margin load, the claims paid in the first six months of the plan year are modestly lower than expected after adjusting for trend. The improved claims experience is not reflected in a larger dividend projection demonstrates the conservatism of insurance carriers. Such projection will be closely examined during the upcoming 2001 rate renewal discussions. Also, any dividends earned under the prescription drug contract will first be used to offset the 1999 loss ($39.8 million).

Historically, the 2nd quarter experience projections have been conservative. Accordingly, there still appears to be room for improvements in the aggregate experience over the remainder of 2000. Any changes in the projected experience for 2000 would also favorably impact the value of the rate projection for plan year 2001.

2001 PREMIUM RATES

Exhibit II presents projected 2001 Empire Plan gross and net premium rates, assuming the application of $68.6 million in dividend to all payors. In the aggregate, the Empire Plan gross premium is projected to increase approximately 15.6% while the net premium is projected to increase 15.2%.

Insurance markets in general and NYSHIP, in particular, are rather dynamic. Given this as well as the apparent caution reflected by the carriers in projecting claims for both 2000 and 2001, the current rate estimates for the year 2001 are considered to be somewhat conservative by the department of Civil Service. A range of the carriers' projected gross and net premium increases is provided in Exhibit II.

For comparison purposes, Exhibit III presents the individual and family rate history for the Core Plus Medical and Psychiatric Enhancements option based on the Two Tier Empire Plan rate structure in effect prior to January 1, 1996, while Exhibit IV presents the five tier history from 1996 to 2001.

KEEPING YOU INFORMED

Long Term Care Insurance Program

Under the provisions of the enabling legislation, Participating Agencies may offer this program to their employees and eligible dependents. The definition of who is eligible for this coverage will be different from the definition for health insurance coverage. We expect that this important new program will offer affordable, valuable protection for employees, dependents and their parents.

We anticipate that the contract for this program will become effective on January 1, 2001, and that you will begin receiving information about this program during the second quarter of next year. As more detailed information becomes available to us we will share it with you in future reports.

Transmission of Reports Electronically

The Employee Benefits Division has the capability to transmit the Participating Agency Quarterly Experience Report via E-mail. Using a software product called Adobe Acrobat Reader™, the PA Quarterly Report is converted into a portable document format (PDF). This is a format that can be read by any recipient, if they have Adobe Acrobat Reader™ installed on their system. Adobe Acrobat Reader™ is available free from Adobe Systems, Inc., at http://www.adobe.com.

There are many advantages to receiving the reports electronically including: reports will be received sooner; there will be less paper to handle; and the reports can be stored electronically and/or a hard copy may be printed.

If you would like to receive the report electronically, please provide your E-mail address by completing the bottom section of Attachment 1 and returning it to the Employee Benefits Division.

PA Regional Meetings

The PA Regional Meetings are being planned for the Fall of 2000. An announcement will be distributed as soon as dates and locations are finalized.

PA-MARKET

PA-MARKET is an internal website which serves as a central resource center for information on health benefits, including: the Empire Plan At A Glance, Empire Plan Reports, Certificate Amendments, HBA and PA Memos, telephone lists, calendar of events/conferences and other general interest items related to benefits. PA-MARKET will become available to you within the next few months. Further details on this new resource are forthcoming.

NYSHIP Representation at Municipal Events

NYSHIP's Empire Plan will be represented at the following municipal events:

  • The 2000 Fall Seminar sponsored by the NYS Association of Counties on September 11-12, 2000, in Kerhonkson, NY.
  • The Annual Fall Training School sponsored by the NYS Conference of Mayors and the Office of the State Comptroller on September 11-14, 2000, in Lake Placid, NY.
  • The 81st Annual Convention and Educational Trade Show sponsored by the NYS School Boards Association on October 19-22, 2000, in Rochester, NY.

 

Name and Address Changes

Please be sure to notify the Employee Benefits Division of any changes so that we may keep our mailing lists up-to-date. This updated information may be sent to:

Mr. Stephen Kavanaugh
Assistant Director
Employee Benefits Division
NYS Department of Civil Service
State Office Campus, Building #1
Albany, New York 12239

TRANSMISSION OF REPORTS ELECTRONICALLY

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If you would like to receive the report electronically, please complete this form and return it to:

Mr. Stephen Kavanaugh
Assistant Director
Employee Benefits Division
NYS Department of Civil Service
State Office Campus, Building #1
Albany, New York 12239

Agency Code:

Contact Person:

Agency Name:

E-mail Address:

Phone Number:

Exhibit I

2000 EMPIRE PLAN EXPERIENCE
In (000's)

BLUE CROSS

UnitedHealthcare MEDICAL - Core

UnitedHealthcare MEDICAL -
NY Enhancement

UnitedHealthcare MEDICAL -
PA Enhancement

UnitedHealthcare MEDICAL -
Combined

GHI MHSA - Core

GHI MHSA -
NY Enhancement

GHI MHSA -
PA Enhancement

GHI MHSA -
Combined

CIGNA

TOTAL

A Premium (1)

685,840
726,353
118,366
80,428
925,147
57,779
6,531
5,507
69,817
625,064
2,305,868

B Incurred Claims (2)

626,786
670,896
90,078
67,622
828,596
45,413
6,136
4,403
55,952
581,744
2,093,078

C Administrative Expense (3)

31,495
75,254
10,022
7,015
92,291
9,603
1,085
916
11,604
15,411
150,801

D Gain/(Loss) (A-B-C)

27,559
(19,797)
18,266
5,791
4,260
2,763
(690)
188
2,261
27,909
61,989

(1) Earned Premium - Premium that pays for coverage for the period reported (accrual basis).
(2) Incurred Claims - Represents the cost of covered services provided during the period reported by the insurance company (accrual basis).
(3) Administrative Expenses - All charges by the insurance carrier other than for the payment of claims. Includes carrier's cost to administer the program, interest charges, and retention.
Source: 1999 Annual Statement

 

Exhibit III

EMPIRE PLAN
Participating Agency Premium Rates
Comparison of 2000 and Projected 2001 Rates
CORE ONLY

Plan Prime - Individual

 

Gross Rates(1)
2000

Gross Rates(1)
2001

Gross Rates(1)
% Change

Net Rates(2)
2000

Net Rates(2)
2001

Net Rates(2)
% Change

Optimistic

261.99
296.80
13.3%
256.64
287.36
12.0%

Best Estimate

261.99
305.96
16.8%
256.64
296.52
15.5%

Pessimistic

261.99
315.14
20.3%
256.64
305.70
19.1%

Plan Prime - Family

 

Gross Rates(1)
2000

Gross Rates(1)
2001

Gross Rates(1)
% Change

Net Rates(2)
2000

Net Rates(2)
2001

Net Rates(2)
% Change

Optimistic

540.83
611.97
13.2%
529.89
592.59
11.8%

Best Estimate

540.83
630.97
16.7%
529.89
611.59
15.4%

Pessimistic

540.83
650.04
20.2%
529.89
630.66
19.0%

MediPrime - Individual

 

Gross Rates(1)
2000

Gross Rates(1)
2001

Gross Rates(1)
% Change

Net Rates(2)
2000

Net Rates(2)
2001

Net Rates(2)
% Change

Optimistic

209.65
246.54
17.6%
206.55
241.05
16.7%

Best Estimate

209.65
250.71
19.6%
206.55
245.22
18.7%

Pessimistic

209.65
254.89
21.6%
206.55
249.40
20.7%

MediPrime - Family 1

 

Gross Rates(1)
2000

Gross Rates(1)
2001

Gross Rates(1)
% Change

Net Rates(2)
2000

Net Rates(2)
2001

Net Rates(2)
% Change

Optimistic

489.15
562.87
15.1%
480.46
547.44
13.9%

Best Estimate

489.15
576.88
17.9%
480.46
561.45
16.9%

Pessimistic

489.15
590.95
20.8%
480.46
575.52
19.8%

MediPrime - Family 2

 

Gross Rates(1)
2000

Gross Rates(1)
2001

Gross Rates(1)
% Change

Net Rates(2)
2000

Net Rates(2)
2001

Net Rates(2)
% Change

Optimistic

436.06
511.34
17.3%
429.63
499.85
16.3%

Best Estimate

436.06
520.37
19.3%
429.63
508.88
18.4%

Pessimistic

436.06
529.41
21.4%
429.63
517.92
20.6%

 

 

(1) Represents premiums charged by the carriers.
(2) Represents cost to a participating employer.

Exhibit III

EMPIRE PLAN
Participating Agency Premium Rates
Comparison of 2000 and Projected 2001 Rates
CORE PLUS MEDICAL ENHANCEMENT

Plan Prime - Individual

 

Gross Rates(1)
2000

Gross Rates(1)
2001

Gross Rates(1)
% Change

Net Rates(2)
2000

Net Rates(2)
2001

Net Rates(2)
% Change

Optimistic

293.01
326.34
11.4%
284.97
315.86
10.8%

Best Estimate

293.01
337.05
15.0%
284.97
326.57
14.6%

Pessimistic

293.01
347.79
18.7%
284.97
337.31
18.4%

Plan Prime - Family

 

Gross Rates(1)
2000

Gross Rates(1)
2001

Gross Rates(1)
% Change

Net Rates(2)
2000

Net Rates(2)
2001

Net Rates(2)
% Change

Optimistic

602.75
670.93
11.3%
586.46
649.49
10.7%

Best Estimate

602.75
693.03
15.0%
586.46
671.59
14.5%

Pessimistic

602.75
715.20
18.7%
586.46
693.76
18.3%

MediPrime - Individual

 

Gross Rates(1)
2000

Gross Rates(1)
2001

Gross Rates(1)
% Change

Net Rates(2)
2000

Net Rates(2)
2001

Net Rates(2)
% Change

Optimistic

217.84
254.34
16.8%
214.16
248.57
16.1%

Best Estimate

217.84
258.92
18.9%
214.16
253.15
18.2%

Pessimistic

217.84
263.51
21.0%
214.16
257.74
20.3%

MediPrime - Family 1

 

Gross Rates(1)
2000

Gross Rates(1)
2001

Gross Rates(1)
% Change

Net Rates(2)
2000

Net Rates(2)
2001

Net Rates(2)
% Change

Optimistic

528.23
600.09
13.6%
516.30
583.36
13.0%

Best Estimate

528.23
616.06
16.6%
516.30
599.33
16.1%

Pessimistic

528.23
632.08
19.7%
516.30
615.35
19.2%

MediPrime - Family 2

 

Gross Rates(1)
2000

Gross Rates(1)
2001

Gross Rates(1)
% Change

Net Rates(2)
2000

Net Rates(2)
2001

Net Rates(2)
% Change

Optimistic

452.31
526.82
16.5%
444.75
514.79
15.7%

Best Estimate

452.31
536.66
18.6%
444.75
524.63
18.0%

Pessimistic

452.31
546.51
20.8%
444.75
534.48
20.2%

 

(1) Represents premiums charged by the carriers
(2) Represents cost to a participating agency

Exhibit III

EMPIRE PLAN
Participating Agency Premium Rates
Comparison of 2000 and Projected 2001 Rates
CORE PLUS MEDICAL & PSYCHIATRIC ENHANCEMENTS

Plan Prime - Individual

 

Gross Rates(1)
2000

Gross Rates(1)
2001

Gross Rates(1)
% Change

Net Rates(2)
2000

Net Rates(2)
2001

Net Rates(2)
% Change

Optimistic

294.94
328.19
11.3%
286.53
317.50
10.8%

Best Estimate

294.94
339.00
14.9%
286.53
328.31
14.6%

Pessimistic

294.94
349.83
18.6%
286.53
339.14
18.4%

Plan Prime - Family

 

Gross Rates(1)
2000

Gross Rates(1)
2001

Gross Rates(1)
% Change

Net Rates(2)
2000

Net Rates(2)
2001

Net Rates(2)
% Change

Optimistic

607.33
675.32
11.2%
590.16
653.38
10.7%

Best Estimate

607.33
697.64
14.9%
590.16
675.70
14.5%

Pessimistic

607.33
720.04
18.6%
590.16
698.10
18.3%

MediPrime - Individual

 

Gross Rates(1)
2000

Gross Rates(1)
2001

Gross Rates(1)
% Change

Net Rates(2)
2000

Net Rates(2)
2001

Net Rates(2)
% Change

Optimistic

217.94
254.43
16.7%
214.25
248.65
16.1%

Best Estimate

217.94
259.02
18.8%
214.25
253.24
18.2%

Pessimistic

217.94
263.61
21.0%
214.25
257.83
20.3%

MediPrime - Family 1

 

Gross Rates(1)
2000

Gross Rates(1)
2001

Gross Rates(1)
% Change

Net Rates(2)
2000

Net Rates(2)
2001

Net Rates(2)
% Change

Optimistic

530.97
602.72
13.5%
518.52
585.68
13.0%

Best Estimate

530.97
618.82
16.5%
518.52
601.78
16.1%

Pessimistic

530.97
634.98
19.6%
518.52
617.94
19.2%

MediPrime - Family 2

 

Gross Rates(1)
2000

Gross Rates(1)
2001

Gross Rates(1)
% Change

Net Rates(2)
2000

Net Rates(2)
2001

Net Rates(2)
% Change

Optimistic

453.22
527.69
16.4%
445.51
515.56
15.7%

Best Estimate

453.22
537.57
18.6%
445.51
525.44
17.9%

Pessimistic

453.22
547.47
20.8%
445.51
535.34
20.2%

(1) Represents premiums charged by the carriers
(2) Represents cost to a participating agency

 

 

EMPIRE PLAN
PA GROUP RATES
1985-2001 Monthly Rates
Core Plus Medical & Psychiatric Enhancement

Individual

Year Gross Rate % Changes Net Rate % Change
1985*
95.71
 
92.85
 
1986
91.97
-3.9%
91.49
-1.5%
1987
103.14
12.1%
101.65
11.1%
1988 (1)
142.01
37.7%
141.52
39.2%
1989
168.72
18.8%
168.05
18.7%
1990 (2)
179.50
6.4%
167.09
-0.6%
1991 (3)
202.09
12.6%
185.09
10.8%
1992
198.85
-1.6%
181.81
-1.8%
1993
214.30
7.8%
194.64
7.1%
1994
213.83
-0.2%
197.39
1.4%
1995
214.70
0.4%
193.54
-2.0%
1996 (4)
219.20
2.1%
192.27
-0.7%
1997
219.87
0.3%
198.37
3.2%
1998
227.35
3.4%
204.38
3.0%
1999
239.24
5.2%
222.00
8.6%
2000
260.67
9.0%
253.98
14.4%
2001 (projected)
302.36
16.0%
293.79
15.7%

Individual Average Percent Increase

Gross Rate % Changes Net Rate % Change
From Inception
7.9%
7.9%
Most Recent 10 Years
4.2%
4.9%
Most Recent 5 Years
6.8%
9.0%

 

Family

Year
Gross Rate % Changes Net Rate % Change
1985*
203.97
 
197.57
 
1986
195.31
-4.2%
194.30
-1.7%
1987
222.39
13.9%
219.20
12.8%
1988 (1)
324.13
45.7%
323.06
47.4%
1989
383.42
18.3%
381.95
18.2%
1990 (2)
403.75
5.3%
380.15
-0.5%
1991 (3)
464.39
15.0%
417.36
9.8%
1992
445.64
-4.0%
407.76
-2.3%
1993
479.37
7.6%
426.35
4.6%
1994
484.69
1.1%
446.94
4.8%
1995
486.99
0.5%
440.35
-1.5%
1996 (4)
491.07
0.8%
428.27
-2.7%
1997
495.81
1.0%
447.22
4.4%
1998
514.28
3.7%
463.62
3.7%
1999
539.14
4.8%
499.75
7.8%
2000
578.26
7.3%
563.03
12.7%
2001 (projected)
667.96
15.5%
647.93
15.1%

Family Average Percent Increase

Gross Rate % Changes Net Rate % Change
From Inception
8.3%
8.3%
Most Recent 10 Years
3.8%
4.6%
Most Recent 5 Years
6.5%
8.7%

* Statewide Plan Premium Rates
(1) 1988 rates represent the effective amounts of the 1/88 and 8/88 rate changes.
(2) No change in effective net rate over 1989.
(3) Represents rates effective 1/1/91 - 6/30/91.
(4) Represents 2 tier Empire Plan rates; 5 tier rate schedule effective 1/1/96.

EMPIRE PLAN
PA 5 TIER GROUP RATES
1995-2001 Monthly Rates
Core Plus Medical & Psychiatric Enhancement

Individual Planprime

Year Gross Rate % Changes Net Rate % Change
1995
214.70
193.54
1996 (3)
234.59
9.3%
207.66
7.3%
1997
261.80
11.6%
240.22
15.7%
1998
267.89
2.3%
246.07
2.4%
1999
279.56
4.4%
261.18
6.1%
2000
294.94
5.5%
286.53
9.7%
2001 (projected)
339.00
14.9%
328.31
14.6%

Individual Planprime Average Percent Increase

Gross Rate % Changes Net Rate % Change
From Inception of 5 Tier Structure
8.0% 9.3%

 

Family Planprime

Year Gross Rate % Changes Net Rate % Change

1995

486.99
440.35

1996 (3)

521.96
7.2%
459.16
4.3%

1997

537.96
3.1%
489.22
6.5%

1998

552.00
2.6%
503.78
3.0%

1999

573.33
3.9%
531.89
5.6%

2000

607.33
5.9%
590.16
11.0%

2001 (projected)

697.64
14.9%
675.70
14.5%

Family Planprime Average Percent Increase

Gross Rate % Changes Net Rate % Change
From Inception of 5 Tier Structure
6.3% 7.5%

 

Individual Medprime

Year Gross Rate % Changes Net Rate % Change
1995
214.70
193.54
1996 (3)
158.65
-26.1%
131.72
-31.9%
1997
150.53
-5.1%
129.28
-1.9%
1998
167.91
11.5%
151.34
17.1%
1999
186.46
11.0%
175.61
16.0%
2000
217.94
16.9%
214.25
22.0%
2001 (projected)
259.02
18.8%
253.24
18.2%

Individual Medprime Average Percent Increase

Gross Rate % Changes Net Rate % Change
From Inception of 5 Tier Structure
4.5% 6.6%

 

Family - 1 Medprime

Year Gross Rate % Changes Net Rate % Change
1995
486.99
440.35
1996 (3)
446.03
-8.4%
383.23
-13.0%
1997
427.23
-4.2%
378.82
-1.2%