2010-2012 benefit changes

The Joint Labor Management Insurance Committee is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached on a comprehensive health benefit package for the three-year period January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2012.

As you know, the county continues to face unprecedented financial challenges due to the historic economic conditions in our country. This agreement addresses those concerns by securing a strong set of benefits that promote quality care and better health without the burden of premium share.

Key goals of the new benefits package are to retain benefits coverage that promotes employee health and prevention of disease, and to maintain the Healthy Incentives^SM program of engaging employees in their own well-being, thereby reducing costs over time. In reaching this agreement, a primary concern was fairness - treating everyone equitably, without regard to health condition. This agreement meets that standard.

Because the new plan affects out-of-pocket expense levels for the gold, silver and bronze plans, the county is extending the deadline to take the online wellness assessment to qualify for gold to March 22, 2009. Any employee (and their spouse/domestic partner) who takes the wellness assessment on-line by March 22^nd and completes an individual action plan by June 30, 2009 will qualify for the gold out-of-pocket expense level for 2010.

Below is a summary of the agreement with web links to information on the specifics.

Medical and Pharmacy

• No premium share for health care coverage 2010-2012.
  
• There are no changes to the Group Health gold, silver or bronze-level plans --all of the out-of-pocket expenses are the same in 2010-2012 as they are in 2009.  Please see the summary of health benefits (PDF) for full information.
  
• Some expenses in the KingCare^SM gold, silver and bronze-level plans have increased (deductibles, coinsurance on medical care as well as co-pays for preferred and non-preferred brand drugs).
  
• However, other expenses are lower or remain the same--the copay for generic drugs is reduced from $10 to $7, and the annual out-of-pocket maximum on coinsurance for medical services is the same as in 2009.
  
• There is also a new $1,500 out-of-pocket cap on the amount any individual will pay for prescription drugs in a year.
  
• For an explanation of how deductibles, co-insurance and out-of-pocket maximums apply to your KingCare^SM or Group Health gold, silver and bronze plans see the "Frequently asked questions" (PDF).

Dental

• The maximum annual dental benefit will increase from $2,000 to $2,500 per plan member.

Keeping your health the first consideration

The long term stability of the county and your long term health go hand-in-hand. The agreement retains and enhances the fundamental strengths of our current plan, with continued 100 percent coverage for preventive services. There are no changes to the types of services, providers, or procedures covered. As before, you can continue to see the doctor you trust and get the prescriptions and procedures that work for you.

The Healthy IncentivesSM program will move forward with user-friendly innovations based on employee feedback: more options for individual actions plans so employees can choose what works for them; optional coaching for those who need the support; and a streamlined process that is simpler for everyone to navigate.

This agreement recognizes the financial difficulties facing the county by bringing a projected $37 million in savings over the next three years, while delivering a comprehensive benefit package that ranks among the very best in the nation in terms of both affordability and effectiveness.

This agreement is focused on your well-being; providing you and your family with greater control over your health care decisions and more tools for improving the quality of those services.

About the Joint Labor Management Insurance Committee

The Joint Labor Management Insurance Committee is comprised of eight union representatives selected by the King County Union Coalition (representing approximately 25 unions). The committee meets with management representatives to negotiate the benefit packages that are offered to our employees. The King County Police Officers' Guild bargains a separate benefit package with the county through its collective bargaining agreement.