Timeline for Implementation of Graduate Assistant
Tuition and Health Care Benefits
Background -- 1984-1990 and Recent History -- 1996-2000
Background -- 1984-1990Graduate School Dean Robert Holt and COGS identify tuition and health care as primary concerns of graduate students and begin action to address those concerns, beginning with tuition benefits because that issue has the greater financial impact on the larger number of graduate students.
1985
Legislature appropriates funds for tuition waivers.
Fall, 1986
Tuition Benefit Program implemented for graduate assistants.
1987
Tuition Benefit Program implemented for fellowship holders.
January, 1988
Graduate Student Health Task Force begins to explore providing health care for graduate students.
June, 1988
Task Force recommends providing health care as a fringe benefit for graduate assistants.
Spring, 1989
Graduate School Finance and Operations office works with COGS to begin preparing "Request for Proposals" for health care coverage for graduate assistants beginning fall, 1990.
January, 1990
Maintenance of Status Quo filed in preparation for upcoming GA union elections. By law, all action on GA health care ceased.
May 2, 1990
Graduate Assistantship Union election; Status Quo ban lifted.
Summer, 1990
Request for Proposals for health care for graduate assistants sent out.
Fall, 1990
Health care plan implemented with Group Health. Dependent coverage is not part of the Plan; but, as a courtesy, Group Health provides reasonable rates for purchase of additional coverage for dependents of those already covered by GA Health Plan.
Recent History -- 1996-2000
Winter, 1996
Into fourth-year renewal of an initial three-year contract with Group
Health, the University requires another RFP process for GA Health
coverage.
Spring, 1996
Medica and UCare both underbid Group Health; plans presented to COGS
at April GA. Medica's wider coverage (non-gatekeeper plan with wide
network of providers) appeals to grad students.
Fall, 1996
Graduate Assistant Plan switched to Medica.
Summer, 1997
Medica informs U of money lost on Plan; raising rate to 7% ceiling
contract allows. Third year of contract there is no ceiling;
Fall, 1997
Grad School and Employee Benefits Office continue negotiations with
Medica; process is not encouraging.
Winter, 1998
Medica cannot compromise due to lost revenues ($700,000); predicts
premium increases for 1998-99 of at least 30% if contract extended.
Committee convenes to prepare RFP to solicit new plan to take effect in
Fall, 1998. COGS develops Web-based survey to elicit student preferences.
Spring, 1998
RFP process and selection of new plan continues. Process results
in selection of Gerber/Araz Group PPO, with option for dependent insurance
at GA expense; university provides subsidy equal on average to 50.7% of
lowest-plan dependent premium. Dental coverage is separated out;
contract negotiated with U of MN Hospital Dental Clinic to provide subsidized
preventive and deeply discounted restorative care. Discounted care
also available to GA dependents.
Fall, 1998
Gerber/Araz plan becomes effective in September. Approximately
285 GAs enroll dependents in the optional plan.
Spring, 1999
386 GAs have enrolled dependents in the optional coverage. Gerber/Araz
announce substantial premium rate increases for fall 1999 due to underestimates
of cost: 23% for GA insurance and 73% for dependent coverage.
The University increases its subsidy of dependent premiums from 50.7% to
55% of lowest-cost option.
Fall, 1999
Premium increases go into effect. 412 GAs enroll 549 spouses/same-sex
domestic partners and children in optional dependent care.
Winter, 2000
Gerber announces they will not renew for another year as underwriter
of the GA plan. Committee reconvenes to develop new RFP. COGS
develops Web-based survey to elicit student views.