GEORGETOWN – Health insurance premiums are going up for retired municipal employees. Currently retirees pay $223/month for their Medex insurance. The new rate will be $262.12 per month (Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare gap coverage), according to Town Administrator Orlando Pacheco.
Pacheco told the SelectBoard last week that retirees will be notified this month of the $39 per month increase.
Everyone, inside and outside of government is being hit by insurance premium increases. To put it in perspective, Selectman Doug Dawes shared that his wife’s premiums are rising not $39/month but closer to $100/month. Selectman Mike Donahue asked about timing on ways to modify plan options for employees.
Pacheco acknowledged that “we’re in a tough position” but he saw opportunities to begin discussions on alternative plans, options, co-pays, etc., moving forward with discussions next year.
SelectBoard Chair Robert Hoover cautioned that FY28 will bring even more volatile costs: “it’s going to
change again in ways that people can’t even imagine.” ♦
