Fall 2021

Someone You Should Know

Michael O’Malley, Fund Administrator

Teamsters Local 710 Health Welfare & Pension Funds appointed Michael O’Malley to fund administrator on Aug. 1, 2021.

Located in Mokena, Illinois, the Teamsters Local 710’s Health & Welfare Funds covers about 2,050 members. They represent dock, office and truck drivers who work for YRC, ABF and others. While most members live in Illinois, some live in Indiana and Iowa.

Michael joined the Fund as the assistant administrator in 2011. At first, he reconciled the Fund’s accounts, oversaw plan professionals and managed the staff. Over time he took on more responsibilities and obtained his Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation.

Challenges and future plans. Noting the constant change in health care, Michael said, “Each week there seems to be something new, so my staff and I need to try to make sense of what’s going on and administer benefits accordingly.

“For example, the COBRA subsidy is a terrific thing the government is offering, but it’s a challenge to the Fund to administer.”

Michael wants to engage members to become better informed about their benefits and smarter consumers. According to Michael, “The members’ average age is 49 years and on the verge of when they’ll be using their health care benefits more regularly.”

While the Fund communicates with members by mail, Michael wants to reach out and interact with them using other media. He plans to update and promote the Fund’s website.

Also, he wants to add other benefit programs that help members improve their health and avoid costly medical claims.

The health plan already offers Livongo^®, a digital health program that helps members prevent or manage hypertension or diabetes.

About Michael. After earning a finance degree and an International Business Certificate from the University of Iowa, Michael moved to Chicago. He worked for Northern Trust in the global trade and reconciliation divisions before joining Local 710. Michael has been a speaker and moderator at the annual International Foundation for Employee Benefit Plans conference.

Michael and his wife, Meg, live in Chicago’s southwest suburbs with their children, Charlie, 6, and Penelope, 4. They enjoy spending time at the park and swimming with the kids. Michael also mountain bikes in Palos Park and likes to golf.

Livongo is an independent company that has contracted with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois to provide chronic disease management for members with coverage through BCBSIL.

BCBSIL makes no endorsement, representations or warranties regarding third-party vendors and the products and services offered by them.