HEALTH INSURANCE NEWS
HEALTH INSURANCE NEWS
From President Manus Gallagher
Good evening all,
Last week, as a member of the Municipal Labor Committee (MLC), I attended a briefing on the newly negotiated health plan for NYC employees. This includes all of us here at Local 1503. There are positive changes to our no-premium Emblem Health HMO and GHI Benefits Programs. As you may know, health care insurance negotiations have been underway for the past 5 years between the coalition of NYC unions in the MLC, the NYC government, and health insurance companies with the goal of improving services and cutting costs. My impression is that most of the big goals have been attained: No contribution to the premium, no increases in co-pays. No tiering, no exclusion of high-cost hospitals. Memorial Sloan Kettering and the Hospital for Special Surgery remain centers for excellence. 1 billion in savings have been found, “but not on the backs of our members,” as Henry Garrido, Executive Director of DC37 said. NYC unions, with 750,000 members, have leveraged their buying strength to gain improved rates and coverage. UFT posted the best on-line explanation of the new plan that I can find at the moment.
Please click the link to their synopsis with Q&A:
[Please note that the section on Prescription Drugs doesn’t apply to Local 1503, our prescriptions are covered by the DC37 Health and Security Plan.]
Health Benefits Plan Design Comparison:
NYC Employees PPO Plan – The proposed health care plan for in-service and pre-Medicare retiree
