 Committeeman Kevin Bateman explained that the committee had been
looking at Blue Cross Blue Shield plans with the employee insurance
advisory committee. That company offered some lower rates, and the
committee's goal was to keep costs down.
However, it was recognized that those plans created concerns for
employees by changing companies and plans, losing copays, with high
deductibles, and that family plans increased out-of-pocket costs.
Different Health Alliance plans were presented on Wednesday, and
as a result the committee is recommending to stay with the current
provider, Health Alliance, and to offer employees the choice of two
plans.
Option A for employees: Health Alliance PPO plan
-
Individual
deductible: $7,500
-
Copays for doctor
visit: $20 for primary doctor, $40 for specialist
-
Copay for emergency
room: $175
-
Co-pays for
prescriptions: $20, $40, $50
-
Individual
out-of-pocket maximum: $7,500 (plus copayments and coinsurance
payments that do not apply to the plan year out-of-pocket
maximum)
-
County to pay entire
$427 monthly premium
-
Employee offered:
-
Employee and spouse
coverage for $769/month
-
Employee and children
coverage for $727/month
-
Family coverage for
$1,067/month
Option B for employees: Health Alliance POS-C plan
-
No deductible
-
Copays for doctor
visit: $20 for primary doctor, $40 for specialist
-
Copay for emergency
room: $175
-
Copays for
prescriptions: $20, $40, $50
-
Copay for inpatient
hospitalization, outpatient surgery and procedures: $2,000 plus
30 percent coinsurance
-
Copay for MRIs and
CTs: $1,000 plus 30 percent coinsurance
-
Individual
out-of-pocket: $3,000 (plus copayments and coinsurance payments
that do not apply to the plan year out-of-pocket maximum)
-
Employee required to
pay $50 of $513 monthly premium
-
Employee offered:
-
Employee and spouse
coverage for $923/month
-
Employee and children
coverage for $873/month
-
Family coverage
$1,282/month
In Option A, the county would pay the full premium. For Option B,
the employee pays $50 a month.
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 |
David Hepler, board vice chairman, said he wouldn't vote for
these for a couple of reasons: The high deductible of Option A would
be hard on employees with ongoing medical issues. "The other thing
is, I'm not going to vote for something that discriminates between
union and nonunion employees when it comes to health," he said.
Bateman countered about the high deductible:
“All they have to do is pay $50 to have no deductible.”
Bateman further countered Hepler's objections with these
observations: "We narrowed it down to two policies: $7,500
deductible with all the copays; the employee pays zero unless they
have a rider. Or they can pay $50 and go to Option B, which has zero
deductible, the same copays. And, that would also meet our union
contract responsibilities."
He said it was unfortunate that the proposed Health Alliance
policies were not discussed until after the last meeting with the
insurance advisory committee, but again he emphasized: "This meets
everybody's needs."
Board member Terry Carlton said he had talked with an
officeholder who had employees with different needs, and this option
worked for their office.
Another board member, Andy Meister, said, "I think at the same
time, too, it's also important to remember that we represent people
that are of Logan County as well as the employees."
Bateman added a comment about the interaction with the employees.
"I'd like to point out, in those insurance committees, you cannot
believe how well they all worked together," he said.
While the insurance renewal does not take place until May 1, a
decision is needed in March because funds for those taking the
policy with the $50 pay-up would need to come out of payroll
beginning April 15.
In a straw vote, the majority indicated they would approve the
proposed plans with Health Alliance.
During the discussion period, Jonathan Wright, assistant state's
attorney, said their office had been contacted with a couple of
concerns:
-
Is choosing an
insurance company and policy subject to the competitive bidding
process?
-
Late in the day,
his office was contacted, suggesting that one of the board
members has a conflict of interest to vote.
As the board's attorney, he advised that the board hold off
making any decisions until these issues would be addressed. While he
could not say how quickly they could get answers, he did promise
that his office would give priority to the matter.
The board adjourns on Wednesday evening and hopes to take the
insurance provider and policy plans to a vote.
[By JAN YOUNGQUIST] |
