AGRE Update -- August 2009

The next AGRE Monthly Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 3, 6:00 p.m., at 133 Raleigh Road, Oak Ridge.

Good News! The gfemployee@yahoo.com e-mail address is no longer being blocked for BJC employees. Thanks to those of you who responded with your home e-mail address during the period that it was blocked. Electronic distribution lists are in the process of being updated.

On 8/4/09, a total of 719 envelopes were mailed to BJC retirees. The envelopes included a recruitment letter and contribution form from CORRE and a brochure from AGRE. To date, about 55 BJC retirees have joined CORRE and approximately 44 have responded to AGRE.

Effective 7/1/09, VSP Vision Care Plan Enhancements became effective for those currently enrolled in BJC's medical/vision plan. The enhancements have been communicated to the active employees, but pre-65 retirees do not yet have this information. The Eye Health Management Program, which focuses on the early treatment and management of both eye and related health conditions, will enhance the current coverage with value-added benefits such as Diabetic Eyecare Program, Laser VisionCare Program, and Low Vision Program. Contact lens wearers will benefit from the flexible plans and enhancement programs to the current Signature Plan. Greater discounts and a covered-in-full benefit for some of the most popular contact lenses provides more coverage than any other vision plan on the market today. These added benefits are at no cost to the company or employee/retiree. Questions related to the VSP Plan may be directed to BJC Benefits Administration at 865-241-1721, or to VSP at 800-877-7195 or visit their web site at http://www.vsp.com/.

BJC issued Requests for Information (RFIs) earlier this year for medical provider considerations. It is our understanding that this will include vision and dental benefits for post-65 retirees, benefits which currently end at age 65. Vender selection and information on rates (to go into effect 1/1/2010) is expected to be shared by late fall.

Pete Peterson will discuss AGRE issues and objectives at the monthly CORRE Board Meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Senior Center.

AGRE will have a display at the Oak Ridge Library during the month of September. The display cases are on the left, as you walk in the direction of the Children's Library section.