Smoke Signals
Pow-wow Committee Seeking Help
The Pow-wow Committee is looking for workers during the pow-wow,
August 20-22. Volunteer and paid positions are available. Please
contact Lisa Leno at 503-879-1471.
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AUGUST 15, 2004
Dear Smoke Signals,
' We would like to give a big thanks to Penny DeLoe and all those that
helped make our Elder Honor Day another huge success. Also, thanks for
all those who gave gifts.
Elder Committee
New Healthcare Insurance Plan For
Members To Start September 1
TRIBE SELECTS SELF-FUNDING TO
ADDRESS RISING HEALTH CARE COSTS
Quality of care, choices, the ability to address rising health care costs have
been key issues for the Tribe during the past few years. The Tribe has searched
to find ways to lower this trend of higher health care costs while continuing to
provide quality health care to Tribal members. Self-funding the Tribal member
health care utilizing a Third Party administrator (TPA), United Medical Re
sources will now provide the path to address these issues and challenges, effec
tive September 1,2004.
WHAT TIBS CHANGE WILL MEAN?
Over the last few months, presentations at community meetings and letters
have been sent out to members outlining this change and what it will mean in
terms of how the plan will be administered along with the potential impacts on
those who receive this coverage.
Essentially Tribal Members should experience little or no change in benefits ,
co-pays, services or providers. The only real difference is that members will be
receiving new insurance cards very soon, and information about the plan. Tribal
administration has worked very closely with the new plan administrator to make
sure that this change will be seamless, and cause minimal disruption. If there
are problems that occur, processes have been put into place to address individual
concerns quickly.
BENEFITS OF THIS PLAN
Self-funding allows the Tribe to identify what options and choices relative to
insurance benefits are best and right for the Tribal Members. This flexibility of
the plan will allow the Tribe to analyze trends of services and utilization, so the
plan will have tailored benefits to meet the specific health care needs of the Tribe
in the most cost effective manner.
Members will also enjoy easy access to the new plan administrator by a dedi
cated phone line and website, exclusively designed for CTGR. The phoneline
customer services professionals will provide information and personal consulta
tion to members as needed. The number for this is 1-888-CTGR-BEN (1-888-284-7236).
The website will allow members to review their benefits , identify providers,
and view additional information related to the plan. The web address is:
www.grandronde.orgmiscinsuranceinfo.htm. Members can also always access
their benefits through the current UMR website at www.myurm.com.
There are also new programs members will have access to. One of these
programs is P.R.I.D.E. (Preventing and Reducing illness through Detection and
Education. A new benefit provided at no extra cost to you, P.R.I.D.E has been
designed to help you and your family make well-informed decisions regarding
your healthcare. P.R.I.D.E will provide educational materials, resources and
personal, confidential advice regarding individual medical conditions and treat
ment options. The objective of P.R.I.D.E is to provide you with a resource that
will give you the opportunity to make informed decisions regarding your
healthcare by helping you better understand your illness and treatment options.
EXPECTED SEPTEMBER 1 START DATE
While it has taken somewhat longer than anticipated to implement this plan,
Tribal management have taken this time to ensure that legal issues relative to
the plan were resolved, and that the agreements with the third party adminis
trator reflected the self-insured status of the Tribe as a sovereign nation. This is
important, as it will ensure that benefits for members in all locations are equi
table and consistent.
Expect to receive your new identification cards in the next few weeks. In the
meantime, if you have questions about the plan, or how it may effect you, please
contact Member Benefits at 503-879-2490 or Debby Larsen, Financial Risk Man
ager at 503-879-2332. If you have not received your new Insurance ID card by
August 27, call Member Benefits immediately.
SMOKE SIGNALS is available to anyone at no cost. Fill out this form with
your name and address, mail to: Smoke Signals, Attn: Subscriptions,
9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
OLD ADDRESS: (Please Print)
NEW ADDRESS:
'1
I
GRAND RONDE ROLL :
I
I
i J
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
1-800-422-0232 FAX: 503-879-2173
www.grandronde.org
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BRENT MERRILL
PUBLIC INFORMATION
MANAGEREDITOR
503-879-2321
brenl.mefTlllKrandronde.org
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
503-879-2190
lustin.phllllpsgrandronde.org
RON KARTEN
STAFF WRITER
503-879-4663
ron.kjrtengrandronde.org
DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE
Fri., Aug. 20 SEP.l
Fri.,Sep. 3 SEP. 15
Fri., Sep. 17 OCT.l
Tues., Oct. 5 OCT. IS
wed., Oct. 20 NOV. 1
Fri., Nov. 5 NOV. 15
Wed., Nov. 17 DEC. 1
Fri., Dec. 3 DEC. 15
Than., Dec. 16 JAN. 1, 2005
TOBYMCCLARY
PRODUCTION
ASSISTANT I
503-879-1358
toby.rncclarygrandronde.org
JACK HAM
STUDENT INTERN
503-879-1416
ack.hamgrandronde.org
k. ft
PETA TIN DA
PHOTOJOURNALIST
503-879-1463
peta.dndagrandronde.org
MARTY GEORGE
PRODUCTION
ASSISTANT II
503-879-1453
marcy.georgegrandronde.org
SHELLY KENT
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-521 1
shelly.kentgrandronde.org
SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Commu
nity of Oregon, Is published twice a month. No portion of this publication may be reprinted
without permission.
Our editorial policy Is Intended to encourage Input from Tribal members and readers about
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SIGNALS 2003 Tribal Council Election Editorial Policy for letters to the editor will be as follows:
Subject to existing editorial policies regarding libel, personal attacks and unsubstantiated
facts.
1. Letters In support of candidates will NOT be published In regular editions of SMOKE
SIGNALS.
2. Letters to the editor from candidates will NOT be published during the time period from
nominations to the conclusion of the Tribal Council Election.
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period from nominations to the conclusion of the Tribal Council Election.
This policy is Intended to ensure an equal forum for all candidates.
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