Social Workers: Status Report on Health Care

A message from your elected bargaining team on health care:
We are working hard to maintain access to both CAPE/Blue Shield and Cigna. About half of LA County social workers are enrolled in either of these health care plans.
Currently SEIU 721 represented Los Angeles County employees are enrolled in one of two cafeteria plans – either “Choices” (social workers) or “Options” (most 721 LA County employee classifications). In both programs, SEIU members can choose either a PPO or an HMO.
We are seeking to grandfather CAPE/Blue Shield and Cigna into the Options program for incumbent employees. That would mean if you are currently enrolled in either you will maintain that plan, but under the Options umbrella.
Bargaining Policy Committee members,

John Balta
, IHSS Social Worker, DPSS Bargaining Unit 711
Chy Chy Ekeochah
, Children’s Social Worker, DCFS Bargaining Unit 723
David Myers
, Supervising Children’s Social Worker, DCFS Bargaining Unit 777 Key Details on Medical Benefit Enhancements.

1) Kaiser benefits are enhanced. Your Options Kaiser benefit will be enhanced. In Options the Kaiser medical plan has an added durable medical equipment (DME) benefit that provides crutches, oxygen, prosthetics and other benefits not available in the Choices Kaiser plan and the premium is lower. In our negotiations we are seeking to ensure all SEIU 721 members have access to the superior Kaiser plan.
2) Dental benefits are improved. In both Options and Choices participants can choose between the same three dental care programs; Delta Care and Safeguard (both HMOs) and the PPO, Delta Dental Plan. In Options Delta Dental we will have a higher yearly plan allowance and increased benefit enhancements, such as implants and orthodontia.

3) Maintaining access to Blue Shield and Cigna. For members in Blue Shield or Cigna it is our goal to maintain access, but you will not be able to switch back to either carrier if you elect to change to PacifiCare or Kaiser.