953 Back   2003 Health Benefit Agreement

General


(i) The parties shall establish a new benefit package denominated as the Basic Health Care Benefit ("BHCB") effective January 1, 2004 that will be administered by one or more vendors. Participation in that arrangement shall be made available as an option to individuals covered by the Plan. The plan design for the BHCB shall be as provided in Attachment A hereto.

(j) The parties will promptly research the costs, benefits, outcomes and other relevant aspects of consumer driven health care benefit arrangements offered by various vendors and shall make participation in such of those arrangements as the parties deem appropriate available, through a pilot program not exceeding two (2) years in duration, as an option to individuals covered by the Plan. If the parties agree, they may extend and expand such arrangements to other covered individuals.