Government

Senate Discusses Option to Supplement Increase of Health and Dental Insurance For Government Employees

Solutions to absorb costs of increased health and dental insurance premiums was the focus of Tuesday's Committee of the Whole meeting, as lawmakers work to wrap up budget enabling legislation before the end of September.  Senators heard from the Division of Personnel and the Government Employees Service Commission (GESC) Health Insurance Board on possible strategies. According to GESC Chairwoman Beverly Joseph, “For all health insurance coverages combined (including dental, vision and life), plan outlays will be increasing from $171.5 million in FY21 to $177.1 million in FY22." She said the increase was approximately $5.6 million, or 3.3 percent. The increase is attributable to the rise in medical, dental, and life insurance premiums, she added, and said the GESC board recommended accepting the renewal rate. “Cigna is allowing the government, at its discretion, to take a premium credit in the amount of $4.7 million from the Premium Stabilization Reserve Fund to offset the increase to...