In a short letter sent to Senate President Louis P. Hill, acting Gov. Angel Dawson Jr. said he had signed into law on Wednesday a bill ratifying the government’s renewed fiscal year 2010 health insurance package, which went into effect Thursday.
When the governor and lieutenant governor are out of the territory, the Finance commissioner – in this case Dawson – serves as acting governor. Gov. John. deJongh Jr. is in Washington D.C. for two days of meetings.
The bill cleared the Senate during a full session held earlier this week. At the time, senators tacked on an amendment recently submitted by Gov. John deJongh Jr. switching the government’s life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance carrier from MetLife to CIGNA.
According to a presentation made during the session by representatives from the GESC/Health Insurance Board of Trustees, premiums on the government’s medical and prescription drug coverage policy will increase by 8 percent, while life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance premiums will increase by 4 percent and dental will increase by 10 percent.
The 8 percent increase is expected to save the government $4.1 million annually compared to the initial 12-percent premium rate increase requested by CIGNA.
The board was able to cut the increase down to 8 percent with two changes to the plan: increasing the lifetime maximum benefit for members from $1 million to $3 million, and upping the in-network, out-of-pocket maximums to $3,000 for individuals and $6,000 for families. The out-of-network maximums will also jump to $7,500 for individuals and $15,000 for families.
No changes will be made to the dental benefits.
The government’s plan covers about 30,000 employees, retirees and their dependents.
