Health Care Rates for City Workers Could Rise in March

Twinsburg city employees will likely pay more for their health care coverage beginning in March.

was presented with legislation that would increase rates for health insurance plans over the next four years, after it was agreed upon by the unions after contract negotiations in 2011, according to Human Resources Director Clayton Morris.

"This will have city employees be more accountable for the higher contributions in healthcare," Morris said. "Usually this is one of the greater expenses for the city."

The city offers two plan options through Medical Mutual. The first (Plan A) is geared toward young families, Morris said. It's a higher cost to the city and employee with lower deductibles and copays.

Employees pay six percent for Plan A now, which will go up to nine percent by March 1, once ratified by council. It will go up each year and max out at 15 percent by March 2015.

Plan B is more for the "single, healthy people" who won't use it as much. This plan has a lower cost to the employee but has a higher deductible, because it won't be used as much.

Plan B rates are currently at five percent and could increase to eight percent in March, rising each year and topping out at 12 percent by March 2015.

Morris said he won't know for a few weeks how much this will save the city. He is waiting for the insurance company to send the rates for 2012.