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Sun Valley Council rescinds earlier Regence health-insurance change after ACA delay
Summary
The Sun Valley City Council unanimously rescinded an Oct. 21, 2013 decision to switch Regence Blue Shield plans after staff said a federal delay in Affordable Care Act requirements allowed small employers to return to prior plans; staff said rates will be revisited in April 2014.
The Sun Valley City Council voted unanimously on Dec. 18, 2013 to rescind its Oct. 21 action authorizing a move to a new Regence Blue Shield health-insurance plan.
Treasurer and Finance Manager Angela Walls told the council the City's insurer notified staff that federal requirements under the Affordable Care Act were being delayed for small businesses, and that insurers were allowing small employers to revert to previous plans. "The recommendation from staff is to return to the previous health insurance plan, which would result in no increase cost to City employees," Walls said.
City Administrator Susan Robertson told the council the standard renewal date for the city's health plan is April 1, and the insurer indicated the same rates would be available until April 2015. Robertson said the council will likely need to take another formal action in April 2014 to sign an agreement locking in rates through April 2015.
Council Member Michelle Griffith asked what the small-business threshold was under the Affordable Care Act; Walls replied that small businesses are those with fewer than 50 employees. Mayor Dewayne Briscoe asked for a motion to rescind the October approval; Griffith moved to rescind and Council Member Franz Suhadolnik seconded. A roll-call vote was taken and all members present voted in favor.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn moved by Council Member Nils Ribi and seconded by Suhadolnik; the vote was unanimous and the meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m.
Next steps noted by staff include returning to the council in April 2014 to formalize any agreement to lock rates through April 2015.
