1 health plan should not restrict Pitt employees to UPMC system, Assembly told
As Pitt negotiates its next medical insurance contract, the administration should commit itself to offering at least one health plan that permits employees to choose physicians and institutions that do not belong to — and are not affiliated with — the UPMC Health System and its hospital network, Tri-State Health System, according to University Senate Vice President Nathan Hershey.
And faculty and staff should not be penalized financially for opting out of UPMC and Tri-State, Hershey said.
He proposed the idea at the Nov. 4 Faculty Assembly meeting.
James Holland, co-chairperson of the Senate's benefits and welfare committee, said he would pass along Hershey's proposal to his committee.
Pitt's current three-year contract with Highmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield expires June 30, 1998. For the next contract, the University has requested proposals from five insurers: Highmark, HealthAmerica, Pyramid Health, Tri-State and U.S. HealthCare.
In response to an earlier University Senate request, Pitt's Human Resources office has agreed that faculty and staff will have at least one non-managed care plan among their medical insurance options under the next contract.
— Bruce Steele
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