City of Holyoke Health Benefit Trust Meeting June 2, 2025
5:00 pm City Hall Holyoke
536 Dwight St, Holyoke 01040
City of Holyoke Health Benefit Meeting
June 2, 2025
City Hall, Old Tax Collector’s Office
The meeting was called to order by Quentin at 5:00 PM
In attendance:
PEC Representatives: Chris Butler-Fire Dept
City Representatives: Tanya Wdowiak-City Auditor, Sean Mangano- HPS CFO, Dazhana Argueta-Personnel Specialist
Others: Quentin Donohue – Chair, Steve Corbin – Dowd Insurance, Kelly Curran – HR Director, Rebecca Sutter – Dowd, Rory Casey – Treasurer
Receive minutes from 04/07/25 meeting
Quetin was open to a motion to accept last meeting minutes.
MOTION: Chris Butler made a motion to accept last minutes. Tanya Wdowiak seconded. Motion carried unanimously
Broker Update
Broker Update Discussion regarding claims. Dental-Started with 62K left over after claim paid off. Monthly vs funding that is coming in. Dental claims running high. Multiple months over 100k in claims. Steve’s guess is that it will even out. Quentin felt strongly about having a clear balance of trust. Tanya will close off 2024 and if there is a balance in 2024 for dental trust from 2024 and we can decide where we want to put it. Quentin wants 2024 balance.
Quentin felt strongly about referring to the dental account as a trust and getting the balance.
Medical- 436k rebate meaning people are using expensive drugs. 8.8million Health 4.2 million RX in claims 800k in RX rebate. 16.5 projected to EOY.
Discussion regarding high cost claimants. 2 above 350k and so we will get reimbursed. Over 100k claims predictions are a lot less than previous years. Discussed maybe paying penalties to get all retirees on Medex.
GLP1 Drugs report showing those used for weight loss and those used for Diabetes. BCBS formulary will not include weight loss. Can add riders as we are doing today. 3m prior to January trust needs to make a decision. Rider is the cost of drugs which is what is currently done with self funding. CB would like to review GLP 1 programs to save since BCBS is now removing GLP1 for weight loss from their formulary.
Rory had an idea that we can decide to not cover and use a program like Ilylilly where the cost of GLP is around 500 as amount to the high cost using the Pharmacy. We won’t save a ton but can save some.
Kelly Curran started discussion to use wellness money for YMCA. Holyoke YMCA enrollment has doubled enrollment. CB asked if we can get a filer or poster and get the word out. The Fire Dept asked about using wellness funds for gym equipment. Purchase 1 or 2 pieces of equipment and then maybe some for the Police Dept but it does not benefit everyone.
Sean Mangano mentioned maybe staff proposing for a grant to use wellness credits on.
Quentin asked if anyone wants to make a motion to use wellness credit for the Fire dept
MOTION: Chris Butler made a motion to use wellness credits from this year for the FireDepartment and start the grant process next year. The Trust should take lead on grants. Dazhana Argueta seconded. Motion carried Unanimously
Quentin brought up the order in front of the finance committee- Kelly Curran said they just want to know how we came up with the decision. Power to choose the broker was in Mayor’s hand and was moved to Trust.
YMCA offering CPR training to their package.
Quentin welcomed a motion to adjourn
MOTION: Sean Mangano made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Chris Butler seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 5:51 PM