Board of Aldermen approves health insurance rate increase for the city – The Oxford Eagle

The Oxford Board of Alderman identified as a exclusive assembly on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the 2022 health insurance coverage charge increase that, according to Mayor Robyn Tannehill, came as “a little bit of a sticker shock.”

Well being insurance coverage prices were being intended for presentation on the future standard board assembly, but the board obtained recognize that required them to transfer more quickly. On Friday, Blue Cross Blue Protect Affiliation notified the city that the overall health insurance policy kinds ended up to be signed and submitted by Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021.

Oxford’s Human Resource Director Braxton Tullos explained a raise was anticipated due to the fact the metropolis had seen a lower in insurance policy the earlier few of decades, but they did not assume it to improve as considerably as it did.

“We’re seeking at a 26{067fe502a31e650c5185733df64156900ec267ebfd90cbebf0b3fe89b5b413d8} price maximize with Blue Cross Blue Defend,” reported Tullos. He also reported that 101 town staff members achieved their deductible in 2021 to the board’s amazement.

“It astonished us,” mentioned Tannehill. “We assumed it’d be a lot less. Health care costs have certainly been impacted by COVID.”

She mentioned St. Dominic Medical center is promotion to pay back registered nurses $80 for each hour and that is included in the health care charge increase.

According to Tullos, Morgan White Group took their amount down 5{067fe502a31e650c5185733df64156900ec267ebfd90cbebf0b3fe89b5b413d8} to enable with prices but would not go any decrease. Rate reductions have been asked for from Blue Cross and Worldwide Coverage, but both equally organizations already submitted their remaining estimate.

“Brad Camp from Morgan White place out a bid for expert services but all over the place has declined to bid with us,” he mentioned. “So the figures are what they are.”

Due to the boost, the town was despatched a approach for a $250 level deductible increase. If the town chooses to agree to the deductible improve, it could probably help you save the metropolis $55,000.

The Alderman ended up not happy with how the increase would impact city staff, in particular the staff who are on relatives ideas who will truly feel the raise much more than other folks.

“Everything is going up and I detest to set that on the staff,” stated a single board member.

“I experience like folks get the job done for the town of Oxford for insurance policy and retirement,” mentioned Tannehill. “I consider individuals positive aspects are what is most important to our workforce and, in my feeling, I assume it’s a price tag we have to take up. It’s regrettable, it’s unexpected and it is certainly not a little something we budgeted for, but I do imagine we need to just take treatment of our staff the greatest way we can.”

The metropolis has not received life insurance coverage offers as of yet, but they will be offered through the up coming regular Board of Alderman assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 5 PM in the Oxford City Hall courtroom.