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Federal Way employee urges board to restore dental, vision benefits and ease costs
Summary
A Federal Way school district employee told the board she expects to pay $2,000–$3,000 more this year and described lower coverage and higher cost-sharing in dental and vision plans, urging the board to improve benefit design and provider access.
During the meeting's public comment period, Shirley Chittiden of the Federal Way school district told the board that changes in plan design have raised her out-of-pocket costs and reduced dental and vision coverage.
"Ever since this board has taken over, it's cost me 2 to $3,000 additional per year between medical and dental," Chittiden said. She described higher deductibles and cost-sharing for fillings, crowns and root canals under current dental options and said VSP vision coverage no longer provides the same value. "Insurance doesn't do you any good if you can't use it," she told the board, adding that she recently had breast cancer and needed reliable coverage.
Chair Ryan Moran thanked her for sharing her personal experience and asked staff to follow up. Dave Eiswinger asked which district she worked for; Chittiden replied "Federal Way." Staff committed to follow up with her to explore potential assistance or explanations for the changes she described.
The board did not take action during the meeting on Ms. Chittiden's request; staff said they would follow up directly.
