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Unions press county for clear information as employee health benefits switch goes into effect
Summary
Union leaders said county staff and members received piecemeal information about a move out of the State Health Benefits Program; county administrators said plan documents and webinars have been provided and cards will be mailed before the June 1 effective date.
Jaren Steiner, president of CWA Local 1014, told commissioners the county's decision to switch employee health coverage out of the State Health Benefits Program caused confusion and left members "begging" for full information about coverage, networks and premiums.
"This transition has been a nightmare," Steiner said, adding that members reported losing access to in‑network doctors and that informational sessions had not allowed adequate Q&A. Steiner asked the county to provide complete plan and premium details before the June 1 effective date.
County administrators responded that plan documents have been posted online and provided to legal counsel, that the county will host additional webinars (a recorded session and another live session were arranged), and that benefit cards for medical and prescription coverage will be mailed next week. Administrators said they contracted with a retiree-focused vendor, Retiree First, to assist retirees who will be covered by UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans and that the new plans mirror or are equal to the State Health Benefits Program plans.
The board did not take formal action during the public comment segment but acknowledged the unions' requests for complete information and additional question-and-answer opportunities before the effective date.
What to watch: Union leaders requested full disclosure of premiums, network providers and comparison material; county staff said documents were posted and additional informational sessions scheduled.
