Joint Health Care Committee (JHCC) Agenda - February 18, 2026

Notes
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
1:00pm – 3:00pm 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS 

Unions:

  • UNAC: Jill Dumesnil (JHCC Chair), Melanie Arthur, Richie Berndt, Tim Hinterberger (Alternate) 
  • Local 6070: Jeff Culley, Dustin Gridley, Eric Kissinger, Shane Crawford (Alternate) 
  • FFA: Joy Beth Cottle, Greg Bean (Alternate) 

Management:

Jonathan Lasinski, Luke Fulp, Ryan Buchholdt, Jason Theis (Alternate)

Staff Alliance:

Rachel Potter, Brandon McKinney, ____________ (Alternate) 

Ex-Officio:

Nickole Conley, Heather Arana 

Support Staff:

Tanya Hollis, Jenn Clapp, Timothy Armbruster, Alex Slivka 

Guests and Speakers:

David Hinckley (Lockton), Katherine Polise (Lockton), Chloe D’Hers (Lockton), Ellen Izer (Premera), Nadje Hipszer (Premera)


AGENDA 

1:00 pm Call to order 

Roll call 

Approve draft agenda 

Approval of notes from Jan 21

Topics for discussion and Reports/Review/Action: 

New Business: 

1:05 pm Chair report 

1:10 pm Evicore preliminary cost review (Ellen) 

  • Reviews PT, OT and massage therapy. 
  • “Saved” approximately $300k in 6 months compared to same 6 month period in 2024
  • Premera will produce a write-up for us on the “maintenance” exclusion
  • This was already an aspect of the health plan.
  • There has been a tremendous amount of negative feedback from members since the introduction of Evicore.
  • Cost projections for FY27 assume continuation of Evicore
  • Motion by UNAC: UA should discontinue the use of Evicore in the UA Choice health plan at the earliest possible date.
    • Vote will be deferred for next month
  • Luke Fulp would like to see the % of appeals that overturn decisions, and the total cost of the contract.

1:30 pm Q2 Utilization Report (David) 

  • Seeing increase in inpatient costs, but average length of stay is decreased
  • ER use is down, but with more services per visit. UA is still below the norm.
  • In pharmacy, generic dispensing rate is down slightly and is below industry norm
  • Specialty drug dispensing rate is down slightly, and below the norm
  • Large claimant cost is up somewhat

1:50 pm Feedback on targeted text messaging service and Premera Health Hub

  • Cost of texts is $2500/month - $30k per year
  • It’s unclear whether this is a preference employees have
  • Motion: The JHCC recommends that we not add targeted text messages for FY27. Passed without objection.
  • Health Hub: Motion: The JHCC recommends that we do not add the Premera Health Hub for FY27. Passed without objection

2:45 pm Member Comments 

2:47 pm Adjourn 

************************************** 

Next Meeting: March 18, 2026