HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The City of Huntington has announced it is changing health plans for employees, retirees and dependents.
According to the city, the plan will change April 1 and be comparable to to plans in the private sector.
The city projects the changes will save the city $400,000 in the last quarter of the 2017 fiscal year and $1.6 million annually.
Health care costs are on pace to go $1.8 million over the budgeted amount.
The city says is self-insured making costs unpredictable with their current plan.
According to the city, the new plan will include higher deductibles and copays and preventative care benefits such as physical exams, immunizations, screenings and mammograms will be 100% covered.
All retirees who are eligible for Medicare will be moved to the Freedom Blue Medicare Advantage plan.
Further recommendations made by the Healthcare Task Force will be explored in the future such as creating a city health clinic.
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