The Duluth City Council on March 23 reviewed bids for renewal of the employee medical and dental insurance.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, the current carrier, requested a six percent, or $94,521, increase in premium. The increase reflects the city’s current year loss ratio of 82.3 percent, impact of the Affordable Care Act, increasing pharmacy benefits and increasing health care costs in general.
The council authorized FY16 funding for renewal of the employee health plan with an option that adds a $100 deductible on Tier II and Tier III prescription drugs, reducing the plan increase to less than $1,000. Council also authorized funding the dental plan with BCBS, as well as a change in vendor for the HRA and FSA plans to Health Equity.
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