By Todd Chancey

ALCOA, Tenn. (April 18, 2016) -- The Holston Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits continues to work hard to provide the best coverage for health care at the most reasonable cost to all participants.

In their meeting on March 7, the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits approved three changes to enhance the conference benefits program.

The first action is to fully cover treatment for bariatric surgery effective April 1, 2016. The board had earlier limited the coverage for bariatric surgery with a $10,000 cap.

The second action affects only Tennessee participants. Effective Jan. 1, 2017, two options will be offered for participants living in Tennessee. Holston’s current plan is Blue Cross and Blue Shield P network. The new standard option will be Blue Cross and Blue Shield S network. The P network offers more options for providers while the S network has lower fees. Beginning in 2017 the standard plan offered for Tennessee participants will be network S. An option will also be offered for Tennessee residents to purchase network P at a higher fee. Participants living in Virginia and Georgia will have no network change in their coverage.

The third action adopted by the Board requires all lay and clergy employee participants and covered spouses to have an annual physical beginning in 2017. Failure to have an annual physical will result in much higher rates beginning in 2018. The physicals are considered well-care and are offered at "no copayment" or "no out-of-pocket cost" under the current plan.

For more information, contact Ken Luton at (865) 690-4080 or kenluton@Holston.org.

The Rev. Todd Chancey is vice chairperson of the Holston Conference Board of Pensions and Health.