About Us

Statement of Purpose

It is the purpose of The Monterey County Schools Insurance Group to establish, operate and maintain a health benefits program for the mutual benefit of the parties utilizing the principles of Collectively Pooled Underwriting, Risk Sharing, Shared Expenses, Health Management and Cost Containment Services.

History

The Monterey County Schools Insurance Group (MCSIG) is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) created and operating under the Governance Code and the Education Code of the State of California. It was first established in 1982 with 20 Monterey County School Districts signatory to the original JPA agreement. The original name of the group was the Monterey County Schools Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance Group.

Many JPA policies were set and revised in the early years, such as Executive Committee terms, rules for district admission to the group, plan rate structures, utilization review implementation and creation of an Executive Secretary position.

Since the formation of the JPA, several more districts joined the JPA and two districts have withdrawn to bring the current membership to 25 districts.

The number of plans and types of coverage, under the original self-insurance arrangement continued to grow. However, the rates had little relationship to claims experience. Rate increases became frequent and substantial, especially pertaining to the medical plans.

By 1989 the needs of the group had outgrown the original insurance program. The name was changed to the Monterey County Schools Insurance Group and it began to review all medical plans to streamline the rate structure and to share its resources and risks among all participating members. MCSIG's Statement of Purpose was created for this purpose.

Due to the complexities of the health care industry, and to effect the streamlining of the districts plans; the position of Executive Director was created replacing the Executive Secretary position. In 1990 the Board created the Advisory Committee to assist in the evaluation and implementation of the goals of MCSIG.

It was the Committee's recommendation that the JPA begin offering a limited number of benefit programs. Each program/plan would be experience rated based upon the entirety of that plan's experience throughout the JPA. Subject to the individual bargaining agreements, each employee covered under the MCSIG programs would have the ability to choose the plan of benefits which best met his/her needs. Benefits and rates for each plan would be uniform through out the JPA and there would be no unit or district experience maintained apart from the JPA wide plan experience.

In 1993 the Board created a Focus Group to review the operations and goals of the JPA. That group addressed the area of:

• Administrative Services
• Membership
• Governance
• Products
• Wellness

Their report and recommendations were approved by the Board. Priorities were set and implementation started.

In 1994 the Wellness Program began with the hiring of our Health & Wellness Program Manager. The mission of the program is to promote and preserve the health of all employees through a comprehensive health promotion program.

Some of the highlights of the first year of the program were the creation of an employee Wellness Committee, MCSIG's first annual health fair, and the administration of the annual flu shot program.

In 1995 MCSIG accomplished the goal of reorganizing the Board governance. It is now operating with an expanded Board which includes six (9) at-large employees representing their associations as full voting members of MCSIG. In addition, three member districts with over 500 employees each now have an additional voting member on the Full Board.

Anthem Blue Cross of California provides, under contract a third party medical claims processing, network servicess and the Prudent Buyer provider network for all MCSIG medical plans.

PacifiCare Behavioral Health (PBH) and Chiropractic Health Plan of California (CHPC) provide, under contract all mental health and chiropractic services for the MCSIG medical plans, through their respective network of providers.

Delta Dental and VSP provide under contract third party claims processing and provide network services for the MCSIG dental and vision plans, respectively.

MCSIG Sub-Committees

Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee was created by the board of directors to assist in the evaluation of the programs and operation of the JPA. The Advisory Committee consists of a balance of management and labor representatives and is assisted by the Executive Director. The Advisory Committee reviewes and makes recommendations to the Executive Committee regarding program changes, enhancement, etc. The committee meets on a monthly basis.

Garry Bousum, Associate Superintendent, Administration and Business Services, Monterey County Office of Ed.
P.O. Box 80851/901 Blanco Circle, Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 755-0307 fax: 753-0454

Pat Bollin
754 San Simeon Drive, Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 755-0379 fax: 758-3132

Michael Brusa, Superintendent, Santa Rita Union School District
57 Russell Road, Salinas, CA 93906 (831) 443-7200 fax: 442-1729

Jim Gutman, CTA Representative, California Teachers Association
928 E. Blanco Rd., Suite 100, Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 783-3200 fax: 783-3211

Eric Price, CSEA Representative, Hartnell Community College
156 Homestead Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 755-6789 fax: 759-6025

Claim Appeal Committee

The Claims Appeal Committee was created by the board of directors to hear any formal appeals of medical claims made to the Board. The Appeal Committee consists of the Board President and two (2) executive committee members and is assisted by the Executive Director and at times, a representative from the third party administrator. The Committee is authorized by the Board to make a decision regarding the intent of the plan in regards to the situation under appeal. The Committee does not have the authority to change the provisions of the plans nor to rule on matters which are properly the area for professional advisers (legal, medical, etc.).

Dee Baker, Member, Washington Union School District
43 San Benancio Road, Salinas, CA 93908 (831) 484-2166 fax: (831) 484-2828

Garry Bousum, Associate Superintendent, Administration & Business Services, Monterey County Office of Education
901 Blanco Circle, Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 755-0307 fax: (831) 753-0454

Robert Della Rosa, CTA Representative, Salinas City Elementary School District
840 S. Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 753-5600 fax: (831) 753-5610

Rosie Sanchez, CSEA Representative, Salinas City Elementary School District
840 S. Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 753-5685 fax: (831) 753-5249

Wellness Committee

The Wellness Committee organized by the Health & Wellness Program Manager, plans and implements wellness activities for all school employees. Committee members include classified, certificated and administrative school staff members. Currently, 18 districts are represented on the committee. The committee meets on a monthly basis.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee was created by the Board President in December 1996. The committee consists of the Board President along with three other Member District representatives with vast financial experience, and is assisted by the Executive Director. The committee is at times called upon to review in great detail the ongoing financial status of the JPA and meets on an as needed basis.

Executive Committee

Garry Bousum, President, Monterey County Office of Education
901 Blanco Circle, Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 755-0307 fax: (831) 753-0454
Term Expires 11/30/13

Robert Della Rosa, Salinas City Elementary School District
840 S. Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 770-2093 fax: (831) 753-5610
Term Expires 11/30/12

Sara Perez, Treasurer, Gonzales Unified School District
P.O. Box Drawer G, Gonzales, CA 93926 (831) 675-0100x105 fax: (831) 675-1172
Term Expires 11/30/12

Dee Baker, Member, Washington Union School District
43 San Benancio Road, Salinas, CA 93908 (831) 484-2166 fax: (831) 484-2828
Term Expires 11/30/13

Rick Blankmeister, Member, Carmel Unified School District
4380 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel, CA 93922 (831) 624-1546 fax: (831) 626-4052
Term Expires 11/30/12

CTA - Vacancy

Eric Price, Member, Vice President, (CSEA), Hartnell Community College District
156 Homestead Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 796-6200 fax: (831) 759-6025
Term Expires 11/30/13

Rosie Sanchez, Member (CSEA), Salinas City Elementary School District
840 S. Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 753-5685 fax: (831) 753-5249
Term Expires 11/30/13

In accordance with the JPA agreement, the President of the Board appoints various ad-hoc sub-committees from time to time to address specific areas of concern or particular projects. Ad-hoc sub-committees are disbanded once the goals of that sub-committee have been accomplished.