Gov. Doyle: Urges employers to continue applying for financial assistance for early retiree health care

Contact: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today urged Wisconsin employers to continue to apply for financial assistance for early retiree health plan benefits available through national health care reform. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius today announced over 50 Wisconsin employers have been accepted into the first round of the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program. The $5 billion temporary reinsurance program helps employers maintain coverage for early retirees age 55 to 64 who are not yet eligible for Medicare.

“This month, the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program will begin helping over 50 Wisconsin employers provide affordable retiree health care benefits,” Governor Doyle said. “I encourage employers across the state to continue to apply for this program. This program is just one aspect of national health care reform that will help Wisconsin residents and businesses access affordable health care coverage.”

Rising health care costs have made it difficult for employers to provide quality, affordable health insurance for workers and retirees. The percentage of large firms providing workers with retiree coverage has dropped from 66 percent in 1988 to 29 percent in 2009.

The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program is available to employers on a limited, first-come, first served basis. The program will end when funding is exhausted or in 2014, when Americans will be able to choose from additional coverage options through the health insurance exchanges. Employers interested in the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program can access information, find the application form and instructions through HHH’s new website (http://www.ERRP.gov) and hotline (877-574-3777 or 877-574-ERRP).

The program will reimburse 80 percent of annual health care costs between $15,000 and $90,000 for each eligible retiree and for each spouse, surviving spouse, or dependent of an eligible retiree. Under the program, early retiree expenses incurred on or after June 1, 2010 are eligible for reimbursement under the program. In order to qualify for the plan, sponsors must submit a complete application to DHHS. Sponsors must also submit documentation of actual health care benefits in order to receive reimbursement.

Governor Doyle has worked hard to make Wisconsin a leading state in the implementation of national health care reform. The Governor created the Office of Health Care Reform to be led by the Secretary of the Department of Health Services and the Commissioner of Insurance. Governor Doyle directed the Office to develop a plan that uses national health care reform to build on Wisconsin’s successful efforts and existing programs; directed that the Office ensure that Wisconsin’s residents and businesses realize the benefits of national health care reform; and directed Office to pursue federal grants to assist in developing a health insurance exchange and implementing any other aspects of health care reform.

Under Governor Doyle’s leadership, Wisconsin has built one of the best systems of health care access through BadgerCare Plus, BadgerCare Plus Core Plan, SeniorCare and FamilyCare. Wisconsin is now America’s health care leader, ranking first for health care quality, second in access to coverage, and providing health care access to every child. Governor Doyle has also positioned Wisconsin as a leader in e-health and quality initiatives. National health reform builds on Wisconsin’s health care successes and will bring $750-980 million in additional federal funding to the state, providing real relief to Wisconsin taxpayers.

For more information about the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program and participating employers, please visit: http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/early_retiree_reinsurance_program.html

For more information on the benefits of national health care reform and Wisconsin’s implementation efforts, visit: http://www.healthcarereform.wisconsin.gov

Nearly 2,000 employers across the nation have been approved in the first round of the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program. Wisconsin’s first round participants are:

Appleton Papers Inc.
Board of School Directors – Milwaukee Public Schools
Board of Trustees – Milwaukee Painters Local Union
Board of Trustees – Wisconsin Laborers Health Fund
Board of Trustees of Plumbers Local 75 Health Fund
Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group, LLC
Brillion Iron Works, Inc
Case New Holland Inc.
City of Waukesha
City of Wauwatosa
City of West Allis
City of Wisconsin Rapids
County of Adams
County of Milwaukee
CUNA Mutual Insurance Society
Foley & Lardner, LLP
Gehl Company
Great Northern Corporation
InSinkErator Division Emerson Electric Co
Ironworkers Local 383 Health Care Plan
Johnson Controls, Inc.
Madison Area Technical College
Madison Gas and Electric Company
Manpower Inc
Marshall & llsley Corporation
Master Lock Company
Middletown Works Hourly and Salaried Union Retiree
Milwaukee Carpenters District Council Health Fund
Milwaukee Drivers Health & Welfare Trust Fund
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage-District
Milwaukee Roofers Health Fund
North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters
Northwestern Mutual Life Ins Co
Operating Engineers Local 169 Health Benefit Fund
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 400
ProHealth Care, Inc.
Racine County
Rexnord LLC
Rockwell Automation, Inc.
Sentry Insurance, a Mutual Company
Strattec SecurityCorporation
ThyssenKrupp Waupaca, Inc.
Unified School District of Antigo
Washington County
Wausau Paper Corp.
Webcrafters, Inc.
WELS Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association
Wipfli LLP
Wisconsin Education Association Insurance Trust
Wisconsin Electric Power Company
Wisconsin Health Fund
Wisconsin Sheet Metal Health & Welfare