Home / Homepage

EBC and HealthChoice Announce 2012 Rates


State employees will have many changes to review on their insurance product offering for 2012. Some will have new choices to look at. The rates for HMO’s are determined by the Employees Benefits Council and can be viewed here. HealthChoice rates can be determined here.

 

Benefit and Insurance Coordinators will begin providing information to employees in late September and October. Every state employee will be provided a packet of information about the various programs. Please be sure to really look at the information you are provided as there are a lot of changes for 2012.

 

HMO’s will begin offering an additional alternative plan. With participation in the EBC’s Wellness Program, there will be a reduction in premiums for HMO’s. Coverage areas for HMO programs are also changing, so be sure to look at that as well. OPEA attended the meeting at EBC today and learned that every county in Oklahoma will be provided a choice between at least one HMO and HealthChoice. This will be a big change for OPEA members who have been requesting choice for many years.

 

HealthChoice also has changes in store. Everyone who chooses HealthChoice, even if you currently use this program, will be required to sign an affidavit. New this year will be a difference in deductibles for individuals who smoke versus those who do not.

 

OPEA would encourage everyone to review not only the cost of the programs, but the coverage as well. Many were caught off guard with plan changes they did not realize went into effect on January 1st.  Many did not realize their doctors were no longer with a plan they had utilized and made no adjustments. Please be sure to read the material, discuss it with your families and make the best choice for your personal situation.

 

Watch the OPEA website for updated information in September as detailed plan information is provided.

Posted on Fri, August 19, 2011 by Nancy Hughes

3 comments (Add your own)

1. bobby wrote:
Do you have any idea when the retiree medicare rates will be posted?

Fri, August 19, 2011 @ 6:20 PM

2. Ed Moore wrote:
Did we just get hoodwinked? How is the benefit allotment calculated, and will these "new" plans affect the calculation negativly (since they are lower cost)? Please advise.

Mon, August 29, 2011 @ 12:06 AM

3. Trish Frazier wrote:
Answers from the OPEA staff: The retiree Medicare rates will be approved at the next HealthChoice Board meeting in September. On the benefit allowance, because the two high-option HMOs increased by eight percent and HealthChoice did not increase their rates, the benefit allowance will have more money in it than last year. After purchasing health, dental, life and disability, employees should have approximately $150 remaining in their benefit allowance.

Tue, August 30, 2011 @ 9:55 AM

Add a New Comment

Enter the code you see below:
code
 

Comment Guidelines: No HTML is allowed. Off-topic or inappropriate comments will be edited or deleted. Thanks.