LACERS BOARD UPDATE
By Michael R. Wilkinson, LACERS Commissioner
Email: MikeWilkinson4LACERS@gmail.com
E
ach year, the Benefits Administration Committee, which I chair, reviews the available health plans and approves the plans and premiums for the upcoming year.
There are no changes to the plans for health, dental and vision for the 2025 plan year starting Jan. 1, 2025. Members with Medicare Part A and B interested in an Anthem Blue Cross plan will continue to have a choice of the Anthem Medicare Preferred (PPO) plan or the Anthem Medicare Supplement plan.
This coming year will bring additional hearing aid coverage for the Anthem Medicare Preferred (PPO) plan. Members may use an outside vendor for hearing aids and will have coverage like Anthem’s hearing aid supplier. This was not previously covered.
The overall cost for the health, dental and vision plans increased by 6.38 percent for the year. The Anthem plan for those under 65 years old (and Medicare Part B only) PPO and HMO plans increased by 8 percent. The Anthem Medicare Supplement plan (those over 65 years old increased by 6 percent, while the Anthem Medicare Preferred (PPO) plan increased by 9.50 percent.
Kaiser’s rates include a vision plan and increased by 3.99 percent for the HMO for those under 65 and Medicare Part B only while the Kaiser Senior Advantage (Medicare) HMO increased by 5.84 percent.
SCAN’s premiums were unchanged while United Health Care (UHC) increased by 50.83 percent. The UHC increase is subject to further negotiation with the LACERS General Manager, who is authorized to use the IRC Section 115 healthcare trust fund to reduce the member impact on any increase.
Delta Dental PPO and the Anthem Blue View Vision premiums are unchanged. Delta Dental HMO will increase by 3.97 percent.
Now, what will these changes mean to you out of pocket? Your net cost depends on your subsidy amount. If the premiums are less than the subsidy amount, you will pay nothing; otherwise you will pay the amount due after reducing it by the subsidy amount. Please refer to the materials from LACERS and attend one of the Open Enrollment meetings this fall to get all the details. The Open Enrollment dates have not been set as I write this column. Materials will be mailed out in October. Please check www.lacers.org/health-benefits for the latest information on Open Enrollment.
Just a reminder on Open Enrollment. This is the time to make any changes to your health, vision or dental coverage. If you are happy with your plans, no change is necessary.
