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Retirees press town on GIC risks and out-of-state coverage amid study of options
Summary
At a listening session retirees and retiree representatives urged clarity on whether switching to or benchmarking to the GIC would force provider changes, limit out-of-state access, or impose unaffordable deductibles; town staff said retiree plans are not being discontinued and that GIC plans include mental-health coverage.
Retirees and retiree representatives asked repeated questions about what a move toward GIC or GIC-look-alike plans would mean for retirees who live out of state, for provider continuity, and for the ability to return to town coverage after leaving.
"The GIC does mandate a three-year enrollment," the Select Board noted during the session, and Kristen Lass said the board had not set timelines to dissolve the trust and move to the GIC. "We will provide an educational session where we bring in somebody from the GIC to answer questions from retirees and employees," Lass said. Jody Ross, named that evening as the retiree IAC representative, urged extra time and clarity for retirees who may be on fixed incomes.
Attendees also asked whether GIC plans have adequate mental-health coverage; the Select Board and multiple speakers confirmed GIC includes mental-health and substance-use coverage in its plan offerings. Staff said network breadth varies by plan and by geography, and encouraged retirees to review GIC provider lists and for the town to offer targeted education on options and likely impacts before making binding decisions.
