Atlantic County hears presentation on adding HRA "Difference Card" to state health plan to lower employee premiums

Marsh McLennan Agency and The Difference Card on Thursday presented an optional health reimbursement account (HRA) product that would sit on top of the New Jersey State Health Benefit Plan and, presenters said, reduce employee payroll deductions while covering copays and deductibles.

The proposal, presented by Tony Mahone, executive vice president of sales at Marsh McLennan Agency, and Chris Calderon, chief sales officer at The Difference Card, would use the 2035 state plan as the county’s base plan to lower premiums and issue a Mastercard “Difference Card” funded as an HRA to pay copays, deductibles and pharmacy costs for participating employees. The offering is voluntary; presenters and union representatives said they have been meeting with union leadership and members to educate employees about the option.

Supporters said the change addresses recent sharp increases in the state health plan. “Forty-four percent combined is just unaffordable,” Chris Calderon said, referring to multi-year premium increases he outlined; he added that family coverage in one expensive option has “breached $50,000 per year.” Mahone and Calderon said the strategy buys a lower-cost plan and…