The Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association (GCADA) has a Group Health Insurance Plan available to all franchised new motor vehicle members. The Plan is self-funded and premiums paid into the plan are used to pay claims.

Dealers can offer their employees medical and prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, short term disability and life insurance. Dealer participation has continued to increase due to favorable rates. No medical premium increases were put into effect for several years. After that period, increases were small compared to overall increases in the health care market.

Although the Group Health Plan has been in existence for over twenty years, several changes occurred on Jan. 1, 1999 when GCADA contracted with Medical Mutual of Ohio. The Association uses Medical Mutual’s highly discounted rates to pay member claims. Medical Mutual’s care management and medical review programs ensure that patients with serious health problems get the proper care.

Prescription coverage is provided through Express Scripts, a national organization that negotiates substantial discounts with drug makers for the Association. Dental claims are paid by Employee Benefit Consultants (EBC), which has a local facility to process claims. Union Eye Care pays vision claims. Corporate Wellness programs are provided by Be Well Solutions.

GCADA has an in-house benefits administrator who provides personalized service to member dealers and their employees. The benefits administrator has the capability to view medical, prescription, dental, and vision claims online. Members have a dedicated “problem solver” to look up and explain claim payments, find out the reason a claim hasn’t been paid and make corrections as needed — in most cases — while the member is still on the phone.

The rising cost of health care and National Health Care Reform continue to be major issues GCADA studies on a daily basis. GCADA is committed to providing members with education and compliance along with quality health benefits at a reasonable cost.

If you require additional information or would like a Group Health Insurance quote, please contact Christine Horvath at your Association or email chorvath@gcada.org.