The Board of Governors at Missouri Western State University has renewed the University’s contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City to provide health insurance to the university’s employees. The cost to Missouri Western will decrease by nearly 7 percent, with no change to plan design or benefits.

“We anticipated a very positive renewal for our benefit plans, and that has come to fruition,” said Dr. Cale Fessler, vice president for financial planning and administration. “Our employees are to be commended for taking care of their health and reducing our costs.”

BCBSKC was one of four medical insurance carriers to respond to Missouri Western’s request for bids. The 6.67 percent reduction will save Missouri Western approximately $260,000 in the 2017 calendar year. The University will continue to pay 100 percent of the premiums for employees choosing a base coverage plan. Employees who choose a buy-up plan or purchase coverage for their families will see a premium decrease ranging from 6.3 to 9.5 percent.

The board also approved:

  • Dental insurance with MetLife, at a cost 2.13 percent less than the current provider and enhanced benefits, including a larger provider network and an increased annual maximum limit from $1,000 per covered member to $2,000
  • Vision insurance with VSP, at a cost 5.6 percent less than VSP’s current plan with no changes to plan design or benefits and a two-year rate guarantee
  • Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability and voluntary life insurance with Prudential, at a cost the same as Prudential’s current plan.

In other action, the Board of Governors approved honoring the newly renovated swimming pool in the Looney Complex after U.S. Sen. Thomas Eagleton. According to Marvin Looney, the former Missouri Western president for whom the Looney Complex is named, Eagleton was instrumental in securing funding for numerous building projects on campus, including the addition of the swimming pool in 1971.

Missouri Western will dedicate and celebrate the grand reopening of the Thomas Eagleton Indoor Pool with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.