The UT-AAUP will hold a WebEx membership meeting on Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 4:00p.m. to 5:30p.m. on health care benefits including prescription costs, A follow-up meeting will be scheduled if necessary. UT-AAUP health benefit experts at Allotta Farley will answer questions. A WebEx invitation will be forwarded on Monday February 1, 2021.
Employees are experiencing “sticker-shock” for drugs at Tier 2 and Tier 3 levels. For example, the co-pay for Eliquis has gone from $18 per month to $60 per month – a 233% increase for just this one drug. Although Eliquis is Tier 2, it is difficult for ordinary mortals to determine it is Tier 2 until told by a Pharmacist. We are trying to obtain a list of Tier 2 and Tier 3 drugs.
These increased prescription costs are a problem for all, especially for lower pay employees and those with families as well as those who have unexpectedly had to deal with COVID-related illnesses. It is unfortunate that we had to elect our Flexible Spending Account (FSA) coverage limits before all of the changes in prescription costs were fully known.
There used to be a UT Health Benefits Committee on which campus groups including unions had representatives. The UT-AAUP retained health benefit consultants for this committee and they made valuable contributions. This Health Benefits Committee disappeared during the Jacobs Administration. UT now has a Health Care Strategy Committee. We have asked that the UT-AAUP be allowed to place a competent expert and consultant on this new Committee at our expense to give input. The Postel Administration has not responded to our request.
This Health Care Strategy Committee is composed of Administrators including Kevin West of Faculty Labor Relations. The Committee gave the UT-AAUP no advance notice of the increased prescription costs or that UT employees are now required to use the UT Pharmacy. The UT-AAUP needs a representative on this Committee.
Some faculty have been emailing the UT Benefits Manager. Unfortunately, she is leaving on February 4, 2021, the third UT Benefits Manager to leave in a year. All were well informed and a loss to the institution and employees. Three high-level HR managers have also recently departed. Stability in HR and Benefits is an issue.
The UT-AAUP has received a number of emails in response to our newsletter on UT prescription costs under the CERPASS coverage changes. These are being answered. Some are being referred to our expert at Allotta Farley, Co. LPA.
UT-AAUP Executive Board