Cayuga County to require high-deductible health insurance plans for some new employees

OWASCO — To address rising health insurance costs, Cayuga County is considering a change that would offer only high-deductible plans for new non-bargaining employees.

The resolution, which was advanced by the Cayuga County Legislature's Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday, would require new non-bargaining employees hired after Jan. 1, 2027, to choose one of the three high-deductible health insurance plans administered by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and approved by the Cayuga County Health Consortium.

Non-bargaining employees include administrators and other positions not represented by a union. The county has more than 70 non-bargaining employees.

Current non-bargaining employees will have the option to switch to a high-deductible plan. If they do, they would be able to go back to a different plan in future years, according to Cayuga County Legislature Chairman Jonathan Anna.

To help offset the change, the county will provide annual contributions to employee health savings accounts. Employees enrolled in the gold high-deductible plan would receive $540 for individuals and $1,080 for families. The contribution for the silver plan would be $750 for individuals and $1,500 for families. Under the bronze plan, individuals would get $2,100 and families would receive $4,200.

The high-deductible plans are new, according to Legislator Elane Daly, who chairs the Ways and Means Committee.

The purpose of the plans, as acknowledged in the resolution, is to address the soaring costs of health insurance. It is one of several budget pressures for the county, which explored ways to continue offering coverage for employees while reducing the financial burden.

Adding the high-deductible plans won't affect current non-bargaining employees unless they choose to change their coverage. Otherwise, the focus is on new non-bargaining employees and reducing future costs.

"That's a lot of savings," Legislator Amy Sargent said.

Legislator Mark Strong asked if employees will have the option to choose their high-deductible plan. Anna and other officials confirmed they would have that choice.

Anna also clarified that existing employees, either those who are classified as non-bargaining or part of a bargaining unit, would not be subject to the policy if they change non-bargaining positions or are promoted to one. They would be able to keep their existing health insurance coverage.

The resolution also establishes the employee share of premiums for two groups — workers who started with the county before April 28, 2015, and those who started on that date or later.

For employees who started before April 28, 2015, they will pay 20% of their premiums for individual Excellus Classic Blue, PPO Blue and high-deductible plans. For family coverage, the employee contributions will be 35% for Excellus Classic Blue and PPO Blue, and 30% for high-deductible plans.

Employees who started on or after April 28, 2105, will pay 25% of the premiums for individual plans. The contribution rates for family plans will be 35% for Excellus Classic Blue and PPO Blue, and 30% for the high-deductible options.

The contribution rates will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, if the resolution is approved by the Legislature.

The county Legislature will vote on the resolution at its monthly meeting, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the Ward W. O'Hara Agricultural and Country Living Museum in Owasco.

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