GuideStone medical rates decrease for majority of participants

DALLAS (BP) - Rates for the majority of GuideStone Financial Resources' PPO medical plan participants will decrease for 2006, with improved benefits to be provided for preventive care and other services.

The rates and improved benefits were approved by the trustees of the Southern Baptist entity during their Aug. 1-2 meeting in Orlando, Fla.

"Fifty-seven percent of our Personal Plans participants will actually see a decrease in their medical plan rates," said GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins, "and this is on top of the 40 percent that received rate decreases last year. "

Of the Group Plans involving employers with 10 to 24 covered employees, 96 percent will receive a decrease in rates. For those employers with more than 24 covered employees, 66 percent will receive a rate decrease while 16 percent will see their rates remain flat. Seventeen percent of these large group employers will receive a rate increase due to their own past claims experience.