Florida state employees could end up paying thousands of dollars more a year for health insurance, if a new Senate proposal clears the Legislature.
The bill filed this week, would provide $500 a month to help cover each worker’s health costs, whether the worker is single or has a spouse and children.
The proposal, coupled with other changes in the bill, would save the cash-strapped state $351 million during the fiscal year that starts July 1, according to a Senate staff analysis.
Some Republican leaders have pushed for increased use of what are known as “health-savings accounts.” Those accounts build up money to pay out-of pocket medical costs and are coupled with high-deductible insurance plans to pay catastrophic expenses.
Reducing the state’s contribution for health insurance could spur more workers to use health-savings accounts and high deductible plans. That is because such plans have lower premiums–but also provide less coverage than traditional insurance plans.
The new bill makes clear the state would spend a maximum of $6,000 a year–or $500 a month–on each worker and puts the onus on employees to cover the rest.
Many of the changes in the bill could likely take effect in January. Single workers could expect to see little change if lawmakers reduce the money provided for health insurance. That’s because the state already pays $500 a month toward single coverage, with workers picking up $50 as their share.
However, state employees with family coverage could expect to pay much more. Currently employees with family coverage pay $180 a month toward their health insurance.
Jim Saunders
Health News Florida
