Apple Creek considers health insurance changes

APPLE CREEK -- Village public employees may see changes to their health care plan in November as council continues to mull over proposed changes to the town's insurance offering.

Council heard the second reading of an ordinance Monday that defines employee and dependent eligibility for health insurance coverage through a Wayne County health plan.

In a nutshell, the ordinance states employees whose spouses have insurance available to them must pick it up. A year ago, the ordinance, which currently affects one employee, was rejected by council because it was proposed after the November open enrollment period.

A cost-saving measure, Apple Creek would save $9,000 a year for one employee.

That number could inflate with rate fluctuations or should more employees take advantage of the family insurance plan, which according to Keener, is a competitive package, but does not include 100 percent employer coverage.

"From a budgetary standpoint, it's time that council does something," Mayor Betty Keener said. "We don't want to overly affect the employee and we want to soften that blow. Now is the time to make a move while the impact isn't as great."

A year ago, Keener said, council tossed around the notion of charging every covered employee a 20 percent contribution fee.

Council revisited the idea of tinkering with its employee health care again without the 20 percent kick-in. Keener said the addition of spousal language is, perhaps, a better route.

"We're looking at cost-savings and making changes," the mayor said. "This is the lesser of two evils."

Reporter Jonathan Scholles can be reached at 330-287-1632 or [email protected]. He is @jonschollesTDR on Twitter.