Healthcare Costs to Increase

Thu, 10/30/2008 - 6:00am

October 29, 2008

The Guild has received information from the Company that the premium cost for healthcare coverage with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield will increase by 9.5% for the 2009 calendar year.

Fortunately, a double digit increase of 12.5% has been averted by the members agreement to change our health care plan in 2006. Workers in other unions that still have the old plan will be paying $814.32 more per year in premiums for an HMO family plan than our members will be paying.

It is a difficult trend nationally, with many companies shifting the burden of this expense to its employees. Contractually, the company continues to pay 80% of the premium. The plan premiums are included below.

Health Plans	Level of Coverage	Total Annual Premium	Company Weekly Premium	Employee Weekly Premium
HMO Choice (90/70)	Employee Only	6,013.92	92.52	23.13
	Employee & Spouse	12,027.83	185.04	46.26
	Employee & Domestic Partner	12,027.83	185.04	46.26
	Employee & Children	10,523.43	161.90	40.47
	Family	16,537.08	254.42	63.60
HMO Maine	Employee Only	6,386.70	98.26	24.56
	Employee & Spouse	12,773.53	196.52	49.13
	Employee & Domestic Partner	12,773.53	196.52	49.13
	Employee & Children	11,175.70	171.93	42.98
	Family	17,562.53	270.19	67.55
Blue Choice 200	Employee Only	6,578.02	101.20	25.30
	Employee & Spouse	13,156.16	202.40	50.60
	Employee & Domestic Partner	13,156.16	202.40	50.60
	Employee & Children	11,511.95	177.11	44.28
	Family	18,098.97	278.31	69.58