In 2009, the Civil Service Employees Association Employee Benefit Fund was at a crossroads. The benefit fund, which provides dental and vision benefits for more than 300,000 public employee union members and their dependents in New York State, was facing a double-digit spike in its health insurance costs and seemed resigned to renewing a policy with an insurer that was not meeting the needs of the fund’s 60 employees.
The fund’s new director was intent on reducing health care costs, while at the same time exploring strategies to help the fund’s employees improve their overall health. EBF’s leadership set about identifying a new vendor to offer innovative workplace wellness programs while still offering a competitively priced insurance product. After working with the fund’s insurance broker on reviewing vendor proposals, EBF contracted in 2010 with the Capital District Physicians Health Plan.
