For this installment of APA Questions From The Trenches, we asked APA President Maury Koffman to answer questions regarding the University imposed change to the Aetna dental plan coverage.
Did the APA know the University was going to unilaterally impose a change in our Aetna coverage?
Yes and no. The APA contract outlines our dental coverage. Starting back in 2010/2011, the APA began making proposals at the bargaining table to improve our dental coverage, recognizing there was an issue arising in the foreseeable future between the premium costs of the Aetna plan versus the Delta Dental plan.
Unfortunately, at the 2011 bargaining table, the University made it clear that they did not want to address the issue and insisted on the poor decision to delay address of the issue. In response, the APA negotiated a Letter of Agreement on dental that placed us back at the bargaining table from 2012 – 2013 exclusively on the issue of dental coverage.
For the last several years, due to the APA collective bargaining agreement language on dental coverage, the University absorbed the rising costs of the Aetna plan. Their action to unilaterally impose a change is a divergence from our historical working relationship. Recently the University notified the APA of their intention to unilaterally impose a change to the coverage, knowingly violating our mutually ratified collective bargaining agreement.
In the 2012 dental negotiations, did the APA propose a viable alternative in response to the rising costs of the Aetna coverage?
The APA, with the assistance and presentation by actuaries, identified and presented a cost neutral plan that increased the annual maximum and provided 100% coverage for basic services like your 6-month check-up and cleanings. The University responded that even though it would enhance dental coverage at no cost, they were unwilling to make the change. This information was previously shared through the APA Newsletter and at our APA Community Luncheons.
Why did the University unilaterally impose a change in the Aetna coverage?
In an effort to generate unnecessary savings for the employer, the University unilaterally modified the Aetna dental coverage for 2015 Open Enrollment. In function, they have reduced the coverage under the Aetna plan and left APA members with no option to obtain the level of coverage offered under the historic Aetna plan.
In the previous year, how many APA members selected the Aetna plan?
Roughly 25% of the APA membership has chosen the current Aetna coverage for multiple reasons. Additionally, the University as refused to consider making any improvement to the Delta Dental coverage.
Is any change being made to the Delta Dental plan?
No change is being made to the Delta Dental plan for the 2015 calendar year.
Over the last year, were there any efforts to resolve this issue?
The APA had numerous meetings with the University administration in effort to find a mutually agreeable resolution. Unfortunately, the University was unwilling to consider the concerns of APA members. This change in posture by the University is a clear conveyance by the Office of Employee Relations and the senior administration at Michigan State University that they have a blatant disregard for the work you perform at the University everyday and elevates the ire of concern of their actions moving forward.
What are the next steps moving forward?
The APA is pursuing all possible remedies, including pending legal action, to compel the University to recognize our right to bargain over wages, hours, and conditions of employment that includes changes to our dental coverage. Our hope always has been and continues to be a collaborative process on all issue that impacts our members’ employment.
Who do I contact with questions regarding this University imposed change?
Should you have specific questions regarding the change in Aetna dental coverage, please contact University HR benefits at 517-353-4434 or via email at [email protected]. Of course, you can also feel free to contact the APA with your comments, questions, and concerns.