ANNUAL REPORT INSURANCE BRANCH BENEFITS AND SERVICES DIVISION OFFICE OF PERSONNEL

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP80-01826R000100120007-5
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
11
Document Creation Date: 
December 9, 2016
Document Release Date: 
March 30, 2001
Sequence Number: 
7
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
June 30, 1961
Content Type: 
PERRPT
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PDF icon CIA-RDP80-01826R000100120007-5.pdf489.93 KB
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Approved For Release 2001/05/01 : CIA-RDP80-01826R000100120_007-5 F YG e ANNUAL REPORT INSURANCE BRANCH BENEFITS AND SERVICES DIVISION OFFICE OF PERSONNEL Approved For Release 2001/05/01 : CIPC--Rq__ ID01 Approved For Release 0201/05/01 : CIA-RDP80-01826R000100120007-5 Section I Major Accomplishments and Significant Developments 1 July 1960 - 30 June 1961 Attached, as part of this report, is a summary of Insurance activity during the reporting period. This shows to some degree the increased workload that has developed and is still existent, due primarily to the implementation of the new Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. It is very difficult, if well-nigh impossible, to accurately picture the man-hours required in handling various functions in this Branch, since each application, each claim, and even each in- formational telephone call is based on a different set of facts and is therefore handled as a separate complete problem. Time spent on each such ease-,varies to a great extent, especially in the field of claims. It becomes obvious that even if work measurement were pos- sible, because of these variances, an accurate assessment of time spent in processing applications and claims would be most difficult. As an example, on an application for life insurance, it is not unknown for as many as ten phone calls. to be required to obtain such items as additional money, medical information or to obtain true or pseudonyms, as the case may be. The same applies to reporting of time spent by the Branch Chief in discussions and counseling on individual problems regarding the personal programs of Agency employees of all grade levels. For example, the Branch Chief presently has been requested to review and advise regarding the retention of four outside individual hospitaliza- tion contracts on the life of a dependent of one of our top officials. This is especially true regarding the briefings of the members of the Emergency Task Force by the Chief. These facts are presented merely to help the recipients of these reports obtain a complete picture of the complexity of the Insurance operation, as opposed to the idea that because volume is involved in production, work is strictly of the routine "production- line" nature. Insurance Pry in General During the past year certain GEHA programs have shown significant growth, each of which is detailed in the following paragraphs. Approved For Release 2001/05/01 : CIA- Approved For Release 2001/05/01 : CIA-RDP80-01826R0001QW 20007-5 25X9 The last report (1960-1961) showed the work necessary to putting into effect the Federal Employees'Health Benefits Program. During this current year the full impact of the tremendously increased volume of work associated with the program has been felt. The number of policy- holders of the Association Plan (Mutual of Omaha) has increased 25% in number, with the work in settling claims nearly doubled due to the complexities of the Major Medical facet of the program. Apparently as a result of the last "return of premiums" to all UBLIC policyholders, enrollment in that program increased about 4%, with an increase in force of about $1,732,500.00. Every indication presently points to a continued increase in this program. The WAEPA life insurance program also enjoyed a steady increase of $607,500.00. Death claims under both life insurance programs were twelve for a total of $168,000.00. All of the other plans administered by GEHA (the Insurance Branch) showed a steady increase in membership, except the Emergency Travel, Specified Diseases, and Travel-Matic programs which showed a slight decrease Due to the fact that the Federal Employees Health Benefits Act of 1959 prohibited hospitalization coverage for our contract type of employees, the Agency made available to these people a hospitalization contract similar to the High Option Plan under GEHA. This, of course, terminated the old Ten-Up Hospitalization Plan of insurance which had previously been offered to contract type employees. The enrollment in the new Contract Hospitalization reflects about 62% increase in enroll- ment over the old Ten-Up Hospitalization Plan. Specific Major Accomplishments: 1. The third return of premiums to UBLIC policyholders whose coverage was in force on 31 July 1960, was accomplished without additional help. This was completed before Christmas with about policyholders receiving checks in the amount of $62,716.2 . 2. A new Chapter to be added to the gray "Association Insurance Programs" booklet, dealing with all phases, in detail, of the new Federa7.Employees Health Benefits Act "ASSOCIATION" hospitalization and surgical plan, was developed by the Branch Chief and submitted for coordination. It is anticipated that it will be printed and distributed in the near future. 3. Since the new hospitalization and surgical coverage became effective 10 July 1960, the various forms associated Approved For Release 2001/05/01 : CIA-B t 18268000100120007-5 ~V G.s.'lCi'1 Approved For Release 2001/05/01 : CIA-RDP8 -0010~1~0007-5 0y 25X9 25X1 C4e with the previous Mutual (GEHA) plan will no longer be of use. Hence a screening of folders, by which all such unnecessary material is removed from folders and boxed for storage at the records center has been 75% completed. It involves upwards of folders. The volume-and work involved has increased greatly, as evidenced by the fact that in the first half of the past year 44 advances were made, with this number reaching 91 during the last six months. During'the year, 135 advances were made for a total amount of $14,567.50. 5. Due to the difficulty of many employees in understand, ing the Major Medical portion of the Association Plan, and to assist the Branch in being able to process claims more expeditiously, as a result of their being submitted in proper form, a booklet "The Association Benefit Plan - Record of Medical Expenses - Instructions for Filing Claims" was developed by the Branch Chief and distributed to all employees. 6. During the past year, numerous lectures, as indicated on the attached statistical report, were given to all E.O.D.'s by representatives of the Branch. In addition, the Branch Chief lectured to individual groups, such as recruiters, person- nel officers of components, as well as to those attending the Personnel Officer Training Course. Briefings continue to be given to groups and individuals departing from and returning to headquarters. Representatives of the Branch continue to staff the GEHA booth in the Support Exhibit. A great deal of time was and will continue to be spent, on the part of the Branch Chief, in discussions with individual members of the Emergency Task Force on insurance matters, as well as with individual employees of all grades on their own personal insurance problems. 7. The regular semi-annual microfilming of the Insurance Branch records for the Vital Documents file was completed on April 29, 1961. 8. An audit of the Insurance Branch records by a repre- sentative of the Audit Staff, covering the year ending 31 December 1960 was completed in May 1961. 9. The period from January 1960 to June 30, 1961, saw most of the planning for the operational phases of the new Approved For Release 2001/05/01 : CIA-RDP Approved For Release 01/05/01: CIA-R? , 826R000100107-5 health (FEHBA) plan "Open Period" completed. Numerous meetings were held with representatives of Fiscal Payroll, Comptroller, and Finance with regards the financial implications involved. Revised Civil Service Commission brochures of the Association Plan available to Agency employees were prepared for headquarters and'-the field. In addition, other media of information regarding the new coverages and increased rates were also prepared by the Branch Chief. 10. Following the July 19,1960 effective date of the new 25X9 FEHBA Program, approximately- Registration forms were processed, together with the accompanying work supplemental to the actual drive period. A great deal of overtime was worked in lowering the extensive backlogs that developed. The Branch Chief and Deputy Branch Chief worked 116 hours of compensatory time, while other personnel worked 1,120 hours overtime on this project. 11. During this closing period of the fiscal year, the obvious questions and phone calls for information have resulted in an indescribable comsumption of time. It follows that these inquiries stem from the additional information required in con- nection with claims, the new "Open Period" etc. Consequently, it has been necessary to assign an additional employee to the receptionist duties. 12. The Branch Chief, as Vice President, and the Deputy Branch Chief, as Secretary-Treasurer of GEHA, provided the Division Chief, and the Board of Directors with constant detailed statistical reports. for use in deliberating policies involving the insurance program. Minutes and reports of the regular Board meetings constitute further duties required, to- gether with the preparation of notices, ballots, and other functions associated with the annual election of GEHA officers. 25X9 13. Following::.the start of the new FEHBA program, it was determined that similar coverage would be made available to contract types of employees. The necessary forms, information, etc. were prepared and distributed by the Branch. Numerous conferences with Finance, Machine Records, etc. were attended by Branch representatives. The old "Ten-Up" contract was cancelled and all transferred to the new plan. This project was completed during the year. 14. As a result of the cancellation of the old Mutual Plan at the time of the inception of the Association Plan, a large number of refunds were due to policyholders who had been paid beyond July 9, 1961, the cut-off date. This project was completed with approximately refunds, in the amount of $95,000.00 being made. -4- Approved For Release 2001/05/01: CIA RDP8 N'?+ 000100120007-5 Approved For Relea a ?001/05/01 :wCIA-RDP80-01826R00010001120007-5 25X1A 15. The Branch Chief, in cooperation with representatives of the Office of Security and of Central Cover Divi 25X1 C4e The following Section reflects a report of the operational activities of this Branch for the reporting period. - 5 - A p p r o v e d For Release 2001/05/01 ClA ij 26R000100120007-5 Approved For Release 2001/05/01 : C 8O-A.1826R000100J2Q007-5 :;..mitts SUMMARY OF INSURANCE ACTIVITY 1 July 1960 - 30 June 1961 Type of Coverage New Applications Reinstatements 1 Cancellations Policies in Force Insurance in Force $17,232,500.00 Claims (1) $ 120,000.00 New Applications M~M Reinstatements Cancellations 105 Policies in Force Insurance in Force $29,197,500.00 Claims (2) $ 4$,000.00 Total Life Insurance . . . . . . . . $46,430,000-00 MUTUAL (Old and New) Policies in Force Claims Paid No. of Claims Average per Claim $ 1)114; 07-591 $ M 25X9A2 25X9A2 25X9A2 25X9A2 25X9A2 25X9 New Applications Cancellations (3) Policies in Force Claims Paid No. of Claims 625 579 625 0 (1) Eight Deaths (eight at $15,000.00) (2) Four Deaths (one at $3,000.00, and three at $15,000.00) (3) All policies automatically cancel after being. in force one year. Approved For Release 2001/05/01 : CIA-.R R000100120007-5 Approved For Re4We 2001/0 1 Type of Coverage (continued) 0:.01-826R0 00120007-5 INCOME REPLACEMENT New Applications 1+2 Cancellations 22 Policies in Force 201 No. of Claims 10 Claims Paid $ 5,335.71 Reinstatements 0 SPECIFIED DISEASES New Applications 150 Reinstatements 2 Cancellations 226 Policies in Force 25X9 No. of Claims 11 Claims Paid $ 1,699.79 TRAVE L-MATIC New Applications 121+ Reinstatements 0 Cancellations 61 Policies in Force 292 EMERG ENCY TRAVEL New Applications 48 Cancellations 65 P olicies in Force 85 N o. of Claims 5 C laims Paid $ 3,1+31+.16 TEN-UP HOSPITALIZATION N ew Applications 15 R einstatements 0 C ancellations 182 P olicies in Force 0 N o. of Claims 31 C laims Paid 3,776.49 A verage per Claim 121.82 (NEW) CONTRACT HOSPITALIZATION New A licati 25X9A2 pp ons Cancellations Policies in Force A 2 25X9A2 No. of Claims 51+ Claims Paid $ 7,1+92.11 Average per Claim $ 138.74 Approved For Release 2001/05/01 CIA-RDP80-01826R000100120007-5 z,? Approved For Release 001/05/01 : C c F pP8 26R000100120007-5 T Pe of Coverage (continued) TEN-UP LIFE New Applications 23 Cancellations 13 Policies in Force 78 Insurance in Force $390,000.00 Claims Paid $ 5,000.00 New Applications 1.8 Cancellations 19 Policies in Force 68 MILITARY AIR FLIGHT TRIP New Applications 120 Cancellations 117 Policies in Force 4 Miscellaneous ADVANCES FOR HOSPITALIZATION Number Made 135 Amount $ 14,567.50 TALKS TO NEW E.O.-D.'-s Number of Talks 50 Number in Attendance -8- Approved For Release 2001/05/01 :CIA-RDG182R000100120007-5 25X9 OnnrnvPr1 For RPIPasP 2nwin5101 ? CID-Rr1A Section II. Specific Plans for Fiscal Year 1962 (7/1/61 - 6/30/62) 1. In conjunction with the new "Open Period" for Association Plan enrollments (October 1-16, 1961), a revised brochure will be finally prepared, printed, and distributed. The distribution, receipt, and processing of the registration forms during the drive, from those wishing to change plans, will be accomplished with what is hoped will be; a minimum of babklogs of other work. Other media, such as all-station notices regarding increased rates, etc., will be prepared and distributed. 2. Final stripping of all folders, of material dealing with old Mutual, will be accomplished, with such material being sent to Archives. 3. The final printing and distribution of the new Chapter on the "Association Plan" will be completed, such chapter then to become a permanent part of the insurance booklet, "Association Insurance Programs." 4. It is reasonable to assume that some time before the end of the calendar year 1961, another "Return of Premiums" to UBLIC policy- holders will be effected. 5. It is hoped and anticipated that both the new Division Chief, and the Branch Chief, may be afforded the opportunity for an orienta- tion trip to the home offices of Mutual of Omaha. This would prove of great value to both, in completing all future negotiations and conduct of business. 6. Plans concerning the move, to the knowledge of the Branch, are very indefinite so far, except for the fact that we will be remain- ing in town. It is hoped that in the new space, even if we remain in one of these "tempo" buildings, a cage area can be arranged for. It is quite a problem to have a security check of nearly 110 safes (II--drawer), when all but one doing such check are female. 7. In connection with the new building, the Branch would like to point out the need for a room for the use of the Chief or Deputy Chief on certain days, so that discussions with individuals can be conducted on the spot. Privacy is necessary on most occasions because of either the personal or covert nature of the discussions. 8. The Branch recommends an overseas trip by a representative of GEHA to the WE and EE areas for the purpose of orienting personnel regarding the new health insurance programs, especially in view of the many changes, etc. available to overseas personnel. Approved For Release 2001/05/01 : CIA-RDP+$0-01826R000100120007-5 ,Approved For Releas ? 01/05/01 : CIA-RDP80- 26R0001 QQ220007-5 Section III Projected Work-Load Statistics for Fiscal 1962 - 1963 1. No significant changes are contemplated at this time for Fiscal 1963, other than the normal increase in the over-all insurance program, with its necessary accompanying increased work-loads. Approved For Release 2001/05/01 : CIA-RDP8 1-626 R000100120007-5