News Release -- February 23, 1999

Update on insurance plans

1. Claims Processing Deadlines
2. Deadline for Updates
3. If Medical Card Does Not Arrive
4. New Monthly Billing Cycle
5. Delinquency Policy
6. Salary Updates Due
7. Good News for SOME Active Members
8. Reduced Rates for Two Years - Ministers Group (Medicare Primary Retirees)
9. Income Tax Filing
10. Life and Long Term Disability Rates

Claims Processing Deadlines

Brethren Medical Plan members will have a six-month period of time beyond 1998 for claims to be processed under the current self-insured arrangement.

• For dates of service through December 31, 1998 - Submit your claims to the appropriate place listed below so that they are received by June 30, 1999. Claims received after June 30, 1999, will not be considered eligible for benefits.

Members who are in the Capp Care Network should submit their claims to Capp Care, P.O. Box 6240, Newport Beach, CA 92658.

Members who are in the Valley Health Plan Network or the Standard Indemnity Plan should submit their claims to Brethren Medical Plan, 1505 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120.

• For dates of service on or after January 1, 1999 - Submit these claims directly to your new insurance company.

Deadline for Updates

The Brethren Medical Plan must notify your new insurance company of changes in your eligibility or dependent coverage within 31 days of their occurrence. Some changes that require notification are:

• marriage
• birth or adoption of a child
• graduation of a child
• death of a spouse or a child

Please send changes promptly. Coverage for new dependents will not be available until the first of the following year unless your new insurer is notified by the Brethren Medical Plan within 31 days from the date of the change.

If Medical ID Card Does Not Arrive

If you require medical care on or after January 1, 1999, but do not have your new ID card, use a copy of your enrollment form for identification when seeking medical care.

New Monthly Billing Cycle

In January the Brethren Medical Plan changes to a monthly biling cycle. Effective January 1, 1999, look for your insurance bill to arrive monthly, not quarterly.

Delinquency Policy

Salary Updates Due

Please complete the update form on the reverse of your INVOICE and return to Church of the Brethren Benefit Trust, Inc., P.O. Box 12048, Newark, New Jersey 07101-5048 with your January payment.

This information is necessary for calculating your long term disability contribution and benefit. Be sure to include your 1999:

• Base Cash Salary and
• Housing Information

Good News for SOME Active Members

If you are enrolled with MAMSI in their Standard Indemnity Plan, you received incorrect deductible information in your packet. Please note the correct information below.

Reduced Rates for Two Years Ministers Group (Medicare Primary Retirees)

A two-year premium subsidy has been approved for Medicare Primary members of the Ministers group. What does this mean for you? If you are Medicare Primary, this means reduced premium payments OR, if you have not yet enrolled, an opportunity to reconsider renewing your insurance coverage.

If you have already renewed your medical insurance for 1999, your monthly premium has changed.

If you have not renewed your medical insurance, this is your opportunity to reconsider. From the materials previously sent to you, simply complete the enrollment form that applies to the coverage you are choosing. Send the form to the Brethren Medical Plan Office by December 21. Your insurance will go into effect on January 1, 1999.

Very Important: Be sure to keep your copy of the renewal form. You will need to show it to your provider for identification if you seek medical care before your new ID card arrives.

The two-year subsidy is intended to help you through this transitional time and give you the opportunity to review all your insurance options. Please contact the Brethren Medical Plan Office if you have any questions.

Note This for Income Tax Filing

If you itemize medical expenses when completing your 1998 tax return, you may wish to include the amount you contributed toward your Brethren Medical Plan premium. The amounts below are correct IF you meet the following conditions:

• You were an active participant all of 1998 and did not change coverage (i.e., from single to family or from family to single).
• You were an active participant for all of 1998 (working 20 hours per week or more).
• You paid 1/3 of your premium and your employer paid 2/3.

If you do not meet the preceding conditions and wish to know your total premiums paid, please call Lori Rotundo or Nancy Miner at the Brethren Medical Plan Office (800-746-1505 or 847-695-0200).

Life and Long Term Disability Rates

The rates for Life and LTD Insurance will remain the same for 1999. If you have medical insurance, any increases or decreases in your total premium are the result of that coverage. Changes in salary will affect LTD contributions.

Life Rates

Long Term Disability Rates

LTD rates are calculated using the following formula: 51 cents per $100 of insured wages. See the enclosed worksheet for details.