Lower Premium Increases Means Cash Back* for L.A. County Employees!

Reduced Premium Increases Means Cash Back* for L.A. County Workers
For years, County workers have fought against double-digit increases in their health insurance premiums. But in 2008, the premium rate increase for the Kaiser plan in the Options flexible benefit program is only 0.19% and the Choices flexible benefit program is only 2.23%.  The premium rate for the Cigna HMO and POS plan will be reduced by .6%. This was possible because of the BAC’s aggressive efforts in keeping the insurance carriers accountable to providing affordable, accessible and quality health care, having them promote disease management and employee wellness programs and the implementation of plan design changes, including the $5 copay increase for office visits and the $10 copay increase for brand pharmacy drugs in the 2006 contract. Coupled with the negotiated 10% increase in County’s contribution, Options and Choices participants selecting an HMO medical plan will see cash back in their pocket as outlined in the chart.
Options
The My Health is My Wealth program is exclusively for SEIU Local 721 members and it offers tools, classes, advice and incentives (i.e. iPods and gift cards) to help workers live healthier. “Healthier employees cuts costs for everyone,” says Linda Dent, BAC member. “The more money we save, the more money goes in our pockets. This cost reduction is a victory for the members and for LA County; so stay healthy and walk more. That’s how we got it in the first place.”

http://my.kp.org/ca/countyofla

* Cash back is reflected in your paycheck on the 15th of the month.