Come on in, the water's fine

The Pool is a member-focused organization, and our members are at the heart of every decision we make. Our structure and governance reflects this focus.

As required by law, all new member organizations commit to The Pool for a three-year cycle upon joining.

Each member organization assigns a trustee to sit on The Pool’s Board of Directors. The full board meets several times a year to discuss and vote on matters relating to The Pool, such as annual renewals, operations, and cost. The Pool is governed by a board-adopted trust agreement and by-laws.

The Board of Directors elects Executive Committee positions, these officers serve The Pool by providing strategic direction and bringing recommendations back to the full board. The Pool also establishes committees to focus on specific strategies. Members from the Board of Directors are selected by the committee chairs to serve in these groups.

The Pool establishes committees to focus on specific strategies. Members from the Board of Directors are selected by the committee chairs to serve in these groups.

• Member Experience Committee

  Responsible for enhancing the customer experience and engaging members with timely and relevant communications.

• Value Committee

  Responsible for analyzing data to identify the best programs to keep members healthy whilst controlling future healthcare costs.

• Bridging Relationships and Adding Value through Engagement (B.R.A.V.E.) Committee

  Comprised of Pool members from non k12 entities to strengthen partnership, enhance relevant communications and support services to ensure we can best represent our non k12 groups.

The Pool provides self-funded medical and prescription drug coverage, establishing monthly single, two-person, and family rates for its members. The Pool also cooperatively purchases basic life, long-term disability, and vision insurance coverage.

The Pool offers a range of plan designs for members to choose from, utilizing either Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan or Priority Health. The plans have varying deductible, copays, and out-of-pocket structures. Many members meet employees’ needs by offering several different plan choices.

Each member’s initial funding rate is based on their selected plan design, as well as geographic area, census data, and prior experience (if available).

At each renewal, risk is spread across the membership by determining the average adjustment necessary to meet The Pool’s expected costs, including reserves. Once The Pool-wide renewal has been determined, the Board employs a modest adjustment for qualifying members to further spread risk appropriately based on the member’s paid loss ratios.

The Pool purchases stop loss insurance to protect itself from catastrophic claims. By working as a large group, members are not responsible for individual claims as The Pool spreads that risk across all employees and insured lives.

The Pool maintains transparency by providing monthly claims reports, tracking overall plan and member performance. These reports are shared with the Board of Directors.