HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

150th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 43

ENCOURAGING STATE OF DELAWARE EMPLOYEES TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR HEALTH CARE DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

WHEREAS, the 2019 Benefits Open Enrollment period (May 6 – 24) is for the plan year beginning July 1, 2019, and is the once-a-year opportunity for benefit-eligible State of Delaware employees to enroll, cancel, waive coverage, change plans, and add or drop coverage for their eligible spouse and dependent children; and in May, the State of Delaware wants benefit-eligible employees to take action to make sure they are enrolled in the benefit plans that provide the best value for them and their family; and

WHEREAS, getting the best value means understanding their benefit plan options, where to go for services, how much services cost, choosing options that are most affordable and aligned with their needs, and ensuring they receive the high quality, safe and affordable care they deserve; and making informed decisions regarding their health care is not limited to the Open Enrollment period; and

WHEREAS, the choices that employees make during the plan year about where they use their health care services are extremely important to supporting the work of the State Employee Benefits Committee (SEBC); the SEBC upholds the mission of the Group Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) which is to “ Offer State of Delaware employees, retirees and their dependents adequate access to high quality health care that produces good outcomes at an affordable cost, promotes healthy lifestyles, and helps them be engaged consumers”; and

WHEREAS, b eing a wise health care consumer, choosing lower cost services, getting appropriate care, managing chronic conditions, and engaging in wellness and prevention saves employees and the State money; and

WHEREAS, employees are encouraged to have a Primary Care Provider (PCP) to assist them with managing their care and overall health; and employees are encouraged to participate in the wellness and condition care coordination programs offered through their health plan to help them achieve a healthy weight, quit smoking, increase physical activity, eat healthier, control stress, and manage chronic conditions; and employees should engage in preventive care by staying up-to-date on their appropriate tests, screenings and having an annual physical exam; and

WHEREAS, in fiscal year 2018, nearly 1 in 5 of the State of Delaware GHIP members (approximately 23,618) had an episode of treatment for diabetes or an indication of pre-diabetes at a cost of over $141 million dollars and representing over 16% of total health care expenditures; and

WHEREAS, employees are encouraged to participate in the Diabetes Prevention Program to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes; and

WHEREAS, employees are encouraged to have their outpatient lab work and imaging/radiology services completed at in-network non-hospital affiliated freestanding facilities; and

WHEREAS, employees should use the emergency room only for emergencies like chest pain, fainting and uncontrolled bleeding; and, for non-emergencies, such as colds, flu, rashes and back pain, employees should first outreach to their PCP, but in the event their PCP is not available, employees should seek other affordable care options such as the 24/7 Nurse Line, telemedicine, and urgent care; and

WHEREAS, it will take a team approach with all of us doing our part as educated consumers to help control rising health care costs and to maintain high quality, affordable benefit options now and in the future.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 150 ^th  General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein that we hereby encourage State of Delaware employees to make informed decisions about their health care during Open Enrollment and throughout the year.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution encourages State of Delaware employees to make informed decisions about their health care during Open Enrollment and throughout the year as an important step to help control rising health care costs and to maintain high quality, affordable benefit options now and in the future.