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Essex County approves optional 'difference card' health plan after union questioning
Summary
After extensive public comment from unions, the Board approved Resolution 34 to offer a lower-cost state plan (the '2035' plan) paired with a county-funded HRA "difference card" as an opt-in option for bargaining units that agree to participate; commissioners and vendors debated exposure, employee pay impact and program safeguards.
The Essex County Board of Commissioners voted to approve Resolution 34, adding a lower-cost state health plan (referred to as the 2035 plan) to the county’s benefit menu and allowing the county to fund an employer HRA mechanism known as a "difference card" for employees who opt in and whose unions agree.
County administration and two vendor representatives outlined the proposal at the meeting. Scott Davenport of Conner Strong & Buckle described how the change works: an employee who switches from the county’s most expensive Direct 10 plan to the 2035 plan would reduce their payroll contribution by roughly 25 percent, while the county would apply part of its premium savings to an HRA (the difference card) that covers co‑pays, deductibles and other out‑of‑pocket amounts. "It's not mandatory. It's totally at the discretion of each employee if their union agrees," Davenport said.
Chris…
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