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CITY’S EMPLOYEE’S HEALTH INSURANCE TO RISE 4.4 PCT
By Erin France/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, November 6, 2009 2:19 AM CST
Health insurance premiums will rise for the city of Pine Bluff and its employees in 2010 by 4.4 percent, but the city could receive a credit for over payment.
Steve Miller, the city finance director, said the city’s health insurance provider QualChoice, sent different rates for an individual’s health insurance to human resource director Vickie Conaway.
The last letter quoted $370 per individual employee per month, Miller said, although the city paid about $386 per employee.
“That’s a mistake,” Conaway said at Wednesday’s administration committee meeting. “I guess they’re going to have to credit us some money.”
Miller said the city overpaid by about $60,000.
For families, the city paid $822.33 per month in 2009, a figure not disputed.
While the rates were discussed, city officials said they were satisfied with QualChoice’s insurance.
“From a personal perspective, I think this insurance is fine,” said 1st Ward Alderman Irene Holcomb.
She said the health care insurance the city had with the Arkansas Municipal League in 2007 dropped an employee once he or she reached Medicare status.
“That was one of the complaints,” said 2nd Ward Alderman Wayne Easterly.
“Medicare doesn’t pay for everything,” Holcomb said. “So I think this insurance is a good insurance.”
“Apparently they’ve done a good job playing claims,” Easterly added.
Mayor Carl A Redus Jr. said he’s received few complaints about the program.
If the $370.32 rate per employee holds true, the city’s rates for 2010 will change to $386.61 per individual employee per month and $858.51 per family per month. In 2009, Miller said there were 271 individuals with health insurance through the city and paid $32.50 bi-weekly and 162 families had health insurance through the city and paid $141.54 bi-weekly.
Premiums for individuals will rise to $33.93 and premiums for families will rise to $147.77.
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