Employee Benefits Advisory Committee

Beardshear

Charge of the Committee

The charge of the Employee Benefits Advisory Committee (EBAC) is to advise the President - through the Senior Vice President of Operations and Finance - on the status of current and prospective university employee benefit programs and to provide feedback on such programs when appropriate.

(status = plan design, competitiveness, cost, etc.)

EBAC Membership

EBAC is comprised of individuals across campus and acts in an advisory capacity. Members are appointed by the leader of their respective unit and serve for a period of three years with the option to be re-appointed for additional terms. The Committee is tasked with providing feedback on benefits-related issues that impact plan participants, as well as:

  • Financially analyzes any proposed changes to employee benefits
  • Makes recommendations regarding benefit programs that meet the needs of university staff and to be competitive with peer institutions
  • Makes recommendations regarding benefits policy, design of benefits programs, and selection of providers
  • Makes recommendations for benefit communication plans
  • Monitors provider and plan performance to ensure coverage and cost equity, balance, compliance, and sustainability
  • Receives employee concerns and complaints and may make recommendations with respect to how they should be resolved

Name Role Representation
Mark Power Chair Ivy College of Business
Steve Couchman Member P&S Council
Jon Perkins Member Faculty Senate
Jean McMaken Member Merit Staff
Ryan Drollette Member Extension and Outreach
Katie Augustus Member Ames National Laboratory
Kevin Stow Member ISU Foundation
Alex Rogers Member Division of Academic Affairs
Tammy Michel Member Office of the President
Steve Bell Member College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Lisa Shen Member College of Design
Nancy Qvale Member College of Engineering
Suzanne Martholomae Member College of Human Sciences
Brent Kreider Member College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Audra Hartwigsen Member College of Veterinary Medicine
Rita Phillips Member Division of Operations and Finance
Sara Parris Member Division of Student Affairs
Janet Padgitt Member Retirees Association
Angela Elthon Ex-officio Division of Operations and Finance
Sarah Ford Ex-officio University Human Resources
Ed Holland Ex-officio University Human Resources
Heather Paris Ex-officio Division of Operations and Finance
Amy Tetmeyer Ex-officio Division of Operations and Finance
Stacy Sassman Ex-officio Procurement Services
Schyler Polaski Ex-officio Committee Recorder

 

Meeting Agendas for FY2024

The EBAC meets virtually from 1:10-3:00 P.M. on the first Tuesday of February, March, April, May, September, October, November, and December, with meetings arranged at other times as needed. Meeting times may be adjusted to align with the needs of the committee.

Time Topic Discussion Leader
1:10 PM Call to Order, Establish Quorum Mark Power
1:15 PM Motion on April Meeting Minutes All
1:20 PM Willis Towers Watson Rate Setting Presentation Willis Towers Watson
2:40 PM RPAC Update Angela Elthon, Ed Holland
2:45 PM Old Business All
2:50 PM New Business All
2:55 PM For the Good of the Order All
3:00 PM Adjourn  

Time Topic Discussion Leader
1:10 PM Call to Order, Establish Quorum Mark Power
1:15 PM Motion on March Meeting Minutes All
1:20 PM Willis Towers Watson Rate Setting Willis Towers Watson
2:05 PM EBAC Charter Heather Paris
2:15 PM RPAC Update Angela Elthon, Ed Holland
2:20 PM United Healthcare Data Breach Ed Holland
2:25 PM Vendor Review Update Schyler Polaski
2:30 PM Old Business All
2:35 PM New Business All
2:45 PM For the Good of the Order All
3:00 PM Adjourn  

Time Topic Discussion Leader
1:10 PM Call to Order, Establish Quorum Mark Power
1:15 PM Motion on February Meeting Minutes All
1:20 PM Discussion on Committee Charter and Purpose Heather Paris
1:35 PM Self-funded versus Fully Insured Angela Elthon
1:50 PM Medical Plan Comparisons Ed Holland
2:10 PM Willis Towers Watson White Papers Angela Elthon, Ed Holland
2:25 PM Old Business All
2:35 PM New Business All
2:45 PM For the Good of the Order All
3:00 PM Adjourn  

Time Topic Discussion Leader
1:10 PM Call to Order, Establish Quorum Mark Power
1:15 PM Update on Retirement Plan Advisory Committee RFP Stacy Sassman
1:25 PM Timeline for 2024 Ed Holland
1:30 PM 2023 Loss Ratios Angela Elthon
1:35 PM Willis Towers Watson Educational and Benchmarking Presentation Wilis Towers Watson
2:40 PM Old Business All
2:45 PM New Business All
2:50 PM For the Good of the Order All
3:00 PM Adjourn  

Time Topic Discussion Leader
12:15 PM Lunch All
1:00 PM TIAA Educational Presentation TIAA
2:00 PM Adjourn  

Time Topic Discussion Leader
1:10 PM Call to Order, Establish Quorum Mark Power
1:15 PM Motion on September Meeting Minutes All
1:20 PM Welcome New Members Heather Paris, Mark Power
1:30 PM Medical Plan Communication Update Ed Holland
1:45 PM EBAC Charter Follow-Up Heather Paris
2:00 PM 2024 Pharmacy Programs Ed Holland
2:15 PM RPAC Update Angela Elthon, Heather Paris
2:30 PM Old Business All
2:40 PM New Business All
2:50 PM For the Good of the Order All
3:00 PM Adjourn  

Time Topic Discussion Leader
1:10 PM Call to Order, Establish Quorum Mark Power
1:15 PM Motion on August Minutes All
1:20 PM Draft EBAC Revised Charter Heather Paris
1:40 PM Vendor Review Process and Expectations Heather Paris, Mark Power
2:10 PM Retirement Plan Advisory Committee (RPAC) Updates Angela Elthon, Ed Holland, Heather Paris
2:25 PM Weight Loss Medication Coverage Angela Elthon, Ed Holland
2:30 PM Dependent Eligibility Verification Update Ed Holland
2:35 PM Flu Shot Clinic Ed Holland
2:40 PM Old Business All
2:45 PM New Business All
2:50 PM For the Good of the Order All
3:00 PM Adjourn  

Benefits Communications & Resources

Benefits Knowledge Base Articles (KBAs)

Questions

For information about benefits offered at Iowa State University, check out the Employee Benefits webpage. The Benefits Team can be reached by calling 515-294-4800 or emailing benefits@iastate.edu with questions.