Massena looking at 14.1% increase in health insurance premiums

The village of Massena is looking at a double-digit increase in health insurance premiums in 2024.

"Our health insurance provider, Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, updates premiums on a calendar year basis. Rates are going up 14.1% for each of the tiers," treasurer Kevin M. Felt told trustees.

He said that would impact the village's 2023-24 fiscal year budget, which runs from January to May, and its 2024-25 fiscal year budget, which runs from June to December.

The monthly rate for employees will increase from $582.23 to $664.32, while the rate for employee and spouse will increase from $1,164.45 to $1,328.64. The monthly rate for employee and children will jump from $989.78 to $1,129.35, and the rate for families will jump from $1,659.34 to $1,893.32.

Felt said they'll also see a 4% increase in the village's Prescription and Medicare Supplement plan. That will increase from $306.16 to $318.41 per month.

"The Prescription and Medicare Supplement plan for employees, retirees, and/or spouses, age 65 and over from United Healthcare also runs on a calendar basis," he said.

Village officials had switched health insurance plans in 2022, with the new rates taking effect in January 2023. Under the change, they were expected to see about a 42.5% decrease in the premiums.

The village canceled existing health insurance coverage through the Excellus SimplyBlue Plus Platinum 2 Plan in January and provided health insurance coverage through Excellus Bronze 4 PPO Plan for active employees and their eligible dependents and for non-Medicare-eligible retirees and their eligible dependents.

Under the change, the village provides a health reimbursement arrangement covering 100% of the deductible for each employee and their dependents.