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Understanding the future health insurance liability and its impact on the city's budget. The city spends $18.8 million annually on health benefits, with a significant portion directed to retiree premiums and Medicare eligible members. This text explores the liabilities and recommended strategies, including the use of health savings accounts (HSAs) to manage expenses.
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BUDGET IMPACT The City spends approximately $18.8 million annually on health benefits • 39% is directed to retiree premiums (Pre-65 and Medicare Eligible) • 37% of members are Medicare eligible (856)
WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE IN REAL WORLD TERMS • Employee making $85,000 annually • Independence will owe $391,000 in future health care costs
WHAT’S NOT CHANGING-CURRENT EMPLOYEES AND PRE-65 RETIREES • Plan Design and Carrier • OAP 1 • Deductible-$800 individual/$2,000 family (in network) • Copays for many services • Out of Pocket - $3,000 individual/$7,500 family (in network) • Current premium split (City/employee) • OAP 2 • Deductible - $1,500 employee only coverage / $3,000 if any dependents enrolled • All costs go towards deductible except preventive
RECOMMENDATION-CURRENT ACTIVE EMPLOYEES AND PRE-65 RETIREES • Recommendation • Request Stay Well Committee evaluate and recommend strategies to incent enrollment in Qualified High Deductible Health Plan (QHDHP) • Rationale • QHDHPs incent consumerism from participants, which over time bends the claim cost trend line • QHDHPs offer participants the opportunity to save tax–free for current or future health expenses • Methodology • Add HSA seed for QHDHP participants
RECOMMENDATION-NEW EMPLOYEES STARTING WITH 2020 PLAN YEAR • Recommendation: • Request Stay Well Committee evaluate and recommend strategies to encourage enrollment in OAP2 • Rationale: • QHDHPs incent consumerism from participants, which over time bends the claim cost trend line • QHDHPs offer participants the opportunity to save tax–free for current or future health expenses • Methodology: • Add HSA seed for QHDHP participants • Move to defined contribution approach for OAP1 • ~70/30 split based on OAP1 for new employees • City pays the same amount for OAP 1 and OAP 2 employees
WHAT IS A HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT? A Health Savings Account (HSA) that can help you manage your expenses today and in the future. It’s yours to: • Own. The HSA is always yours, even if you change jobs, become unemployed or retire. • Grow. Your unused balance rolls over from year to year. • Save. HSA’s provide tax-free contributions and tax-free withdrawals and tax-free earnings from investment options. • Choose. Use for current expenses, save for the future or explore investment options.
RECOMMENDATION-MEDICARE ELIGIBLE RETIREES • Recommendation • Work with Special Health Insurance Review Committee (SHIRC) to develop coverage recommendations for Medicare eligible retirees and dependents • Rationale • 856 Medicare eligible retirees, representing 37% of all members enrolled • Potential for lower monthly costs for retirees with similar coverage • Methodology • Work with SHIRC to develop financially sustainable recommendations that address the City’s financial challenges and mitigate long-term health care liability • Recommendations presented to City Council by October 14, 2019 • Changes effective for 2020 Plan Year