- New Plans
During the term of this Memorandum of Understanding, the County and the Unions shall convene the Benefits Committee for the following purposes:
- To
continue ongoing discussions regarding cost structures as a part
of an overall strategy to maintain balanced enrollment in County plans,
- To investigate the feasibility of revising medical and/or dental coverage and/or plan(s and strategies to integrate wellness program participation into benefit insurance cost structure, and
- To address legislative changes to health insurance legislation, including, but not limited to, the Affordable Care Act.
The Benefits Committee will be composed of County and labor representatives, not to exceed two (2) representatives from each participating labor organization and four (4) County representatives.
- Benefits Levels
During the term of this agreement, the County agrees to continue all benefit programs at current benefit levels as listed in the MOU and the Benefit Summary.
- Agreement Implementation
Agreements reached as part of the Benefits Committee may be implemented outside of negotiations if employee organizations representing a majority of employees agree, providing, however, all employee organizations are given an opportunity to meet and confer regarding such agreements.
- Health Plan Changes
Health plan changes
that are initiated by the health
plan based on either legislative/ regulatory changes or health plan
organization policy changes
are provided to employers each year. These
changes are typically not significant in terms
of the number of individuals who are impacted
by the change. For instance, they do not often include
co-pay changes for outpatient or inpatient physician or facility
services, prescription drug or other major plan design co-pays. Where health plans initii:,lte these kinds of changes to the contract, Employee Benefits will share
with labor the specific changes
health plans are communicating at the time
of renewal, before implementing the changes. Where the changes may be eliminated by the employer purchasing, at additional cost,
a rider to cover the benefit, it is the County’s
desire to implement such changes
without riders to keep its design in conformance with
the health plans’
book of business design,
provided however, it will first meet and confer
with the Union on any such matter.
- Health Insurance Tax Reopener
Upon the County or the Union’s request, the County and Union shall reopen the issue of payment of any taxation assessed against employers in association with employer health insurance contributions, (e.g., the excise tax referred to as “the Cadillac Tax” under the Affordable Care Act), or other taxation resulting from future healthcare legislation.
- Benefit Booklets
The County agrees to receive and discuss any suggestions the Unions may have for improvement of the booklets or folders describing various employee benefits provided by the County.