APS and new healthcare provider

[Anonymous]

The way it works is the contract is up and they go out to bid. If your existing healthcare didn’t put up a competitive bid, they switch to another company. That is their obligation in their effort to keep healthcare costs down for all of you and for taxpayers.

County employees are not on the same plan but same thing can happen to them (and has). County employees are also under a different pension.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one outside APS staff will care because many many of us have had to do it. And yes, open enrollment happens at the same time every year. APS didn’t pick flu season. It just is when it is.

Right, but you will care when your kids teacher is out multiple days early in the year. And then we will all get sick from visiting all the doctors and take more time off. I’m just saying it will probably affect you in that way. So shrug all you want, just know to expect absences.

You're going to get sick from visiting the doctor? What?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one outside APS staff will care because many many of us have had to do it. And yes, open enrollment happens at the same time every year. APS didn’t pick flu season. It just is when it is.

On private sector insurance we had a 5 year spell where we switched providers every year! I think this is annoying but 3 months lead time isn’t last minute like some are claiming.

[Anonymous]

I sympathize with you, APS teachers on Kaiser. It is not easy to find new doctors right now, but they’re out there. Good news is that this is likely a one time switch- most practices around here participate in many of the big plans.

As hard as this is, you not winning any supporters with this. Stop trying to get the parents to do your bidding for you. It’s unprofessional. The Board has a fiduciary duty to the taxpayers to ensure that the benefits that are being provided to you are being obtained at a reasonable cost commensurate with market rates. Insurance plans cost a whole lot more than the small fraction you individually pay.

Additionally - All of us in corporate land have been through insurer changes, along with massive YoY increases in premiums or deductibles, and limits on service. You are being offered what appears to be a great plan at a competitive cost. Stop threatening to quit or call out for days on end unless you’d like to come experience employer coverage out here in the wild.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The way it works is the contract is up and they go out to bid. If your existing healthcare didn’t put up a competitive bid, they switch to another company. That is their obligation in their effort to keep healthcare costs down for all of you and for taxpayers.

County employees are not on the same plan but same thing can happen to them (and has). County employees are also under a different pension.

I would have never guessed that BC would end up being a better deal than Kaiser.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The way it works is the contract is up and they go out to bid. If your existing healthcare didn’t put up a competitive bid, they switch to another company. That is their obligation in their effort to keep healthcare costs down for all of you and for taxpayers.

County employees are not on the same plan but same thing can happen to them (and has). County employees are also under a different pension.

I would have never guessed that BC would end up being a better deal than Kaiser.

Sometimes insurance companies charge the “rent seeking” premium. They know it’s a pain to switch, but they also know exactly how much it costs to cover you, so they are going to bake that profit in with every renewal. Have you ever seen your homeowners or car policy go up year after year only to save hundreds by switching? Same idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The way it works is the contract is up and they go out to bid. If your existing healthcare didn’t put up a competitive bid, they switch to another company. That is their obligation in their effort to keep healthcare costs down for all of you and for taxpayers.

County employees are not on the same plan but same thing can happen to them (and has). County employees are also under a different pension.

I would have never guessed that BC would end up being a better deal than Kaiser.

From what they sent staff it appears that Kaiser did not bid during the procurement process

[Anonymous]

I use Kaiser because I grew up on it (in another region where it is a bigger network) and it is the cheapest plan but there are definite disadvantages. There aren't many urgent cares and they don't have a physical location in Arlington. From my home there are at least 3 VHC primary care offices that are closer than either the Alexandria or Falls Church Kaiser offices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one outside APS staff will care because many many of us have had to do it. And yes, open enrollment happens at the same time every year. APS didn’t pick flu season. It just is when it is.

Right, but you will care when your kids teacher is out multiple days early in the year. And then we will all get sick from visiting all the doctors and take more time off. I’m just saying it will probably affect you in that way. So shrug all you want, just know to expect absences.

You're going to get sick from visiting the doctor? What?

Uh yeah. Take the toddler to a well check up and wham 2-3 days later after playing with the toys the sick kids played with my kids invariable get the virus all the sick kids had when they went to the doctor.

Again, I’m not looking for sympathy at all. Just know that when teachers are out and there aren’t any subs, your kids will be having split classes, bad subs, etc. Don’t post about it, it is a foreseeable occurrence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The way it works is the contract is up and they go out to bid. If your existing healthcare didn’t put up a competitive bid, they switch to another company. That is their obligation in their effort to keep healthcare costs down for all of you and for taxpayers.

County employees are not on the same plan but same thing can happen to them (and has). County employees are also under a different pension.

I would have never guessed that BC would end up being a better deal than Kaiser.

From what they sent staff it appears that Kaiser did not bid during the procurement process

That’s what Duran just said. That Kaiser did not submit a bid. Maybe they’ve put brakes on their expansion? APS knew since July. They just told staff yesterday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one outside APS staff will care because many many of us have had to do it. And yes, open enrollment happens at the same time every year. APS didn’t pick flu season. It just is when it is.

Right, but you will care when your kids teacher is out multiple days early in the year. And then we will all get sick from visiting all the doctors and take more time off. I’m just saying it will probably affect you in that way. So shrug all you want, just know to expect absences.

You're going to get sick from visiting the doctor? What?

Uh yeah. Take the toddler to a well check up and wham 2-3 days later after playing with the toys the sick kids played with my kids invariable get the virus all the sick kids had when they went to the doctor.

Again, I’m not looking for sympathy at all. Just know that when teachers are out and there aren’t any subs, your kids will be having split classes, bad subs, etc. Don’t post about it, it is a foreseeable occurrence.

Ok but that would be the same with Kaiser or Carefirst

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I sympathize with you, APS teachers on Kaiser. It is not easy to find new doctors right now, but they’re out there. Good news is that this is likely a one time switch- most practices around here participate in many of the big plans.

As hard as this is, you not winning any supporters with this. Stop trying to get the parents to do your bidding for you. It’s unprofessional. The Board has a fiduciary duty to the taxpayers to ensure that the benefits that are being provided to you are being obtained at a reasonable cost commensurate with market rates. Insurance plans cost a whole lot more than the small fraction you individually pay.

Additionally - All of us in corporate land have been through insurer changes, along with massive YoY increases in premiums or deductibles, and limits on service. You are being offered what appears to be a great plan at a competitive cost. Stop threatening to quit or call out for days on end unless you’d like to come experience employer coverage out here in the wild.

Or maybe, just maybe we CARE about the kids we teach and feel bad that we will have to take days off because we know it sucks, but it is also the only way we are given. It isn’t a threat, just the reality of what we are facing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sympathize with you, APS teachers on Kaiser. It is not easy to find new doctors right now, but they’re out there. Good news is that this is likely a one time switch- most practices around here participate in many of the big plans.

As hard as this is, you not winning any supporters with this. Stop trying to get the parents to do your bidding for you. It’s unprofessional. The Board has a fiduciary duty to the taxpayers to ensure that the benefits that are being provided to you are being obtained at a reasonable cost commensurate with market rates. Insurance plans cost a whole lot more than the small fraction you individually pay.

Additionally - All of us in corporate land have been through insurer changes, along with massive YoY increases in premiums or deductibles, and limits on service. You are being offered what appears to be a great plan at a competitive cost. Stop threatening to quit or call out for days on end unless you’d like to come experience employer coverage out here in the wild.

Or maybe, just maybe we CARE about the kids we teach and feel bad that we will have to take days off because we know it sucks, but it is also the only way we are given. It isn’t a threat, just the reality of what we are facing.

This has nothing to do with insurance plans changing. I know some people are asking for more days off to "look for more doctors" That's nonsense. Most of this can be done online at any time of day. Even if not, our contract hours allow for phone calls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The way it works is the contract is up and they go out to bid. If your existing healthcare didn’t put up a competitive bid, they switch to another company. That is their obligation in their effort to keep healthcare costs down for all of you and for taxpayers.

County employees are not on the same plan but same thing can happen to them (and has). County employees are also under a different pension.

I would have never guessed that BC would end up being a better deal than Kaiser.

From what they sent staff it appears that Kaiser did not bid during the procurement process

That’s what Duran just said. That Kaiser did not submit a bid. Maybe they’ve put brakes on their expansion? APS knew since July. They just told staff yesterday.

A memo of intent over the summer is not a signed contract and negotiating these contracts is a big deal and a lot of work and sometimes things fall through and they move on to the second choice option. So no they’re not going to tell you until a contract is signed.

This is not a plot against you all. It’s life. They’re doing their jobs and yes it has some consequences that aren’t fun. If your current insurer didn’t bid, not much choice in their end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sympathize with you, APS teachers on Kaiser. It is not easy to find new doctors right now, but they’re out there. Good news is that this is likely a one time switch- most practices around here participate in many of the big plans.

As hard as this is, you not winning any supporters with this. Stop trying to get the parents to do your bidding for you. It’s unprofessional. The Board has a fiduciary duty to the taxpayers to ensure that the benefits that are being provided to you are being obtained at a reasonable cost commensurate with market rates. Insurance plans cost a whole lot more than the small fraction you individually pay.

Additionally - All of us in corporate land have been through insurer changes, along with massive YoY increases in premiums or deductibles, and limits on service. You are being offered what appears to be a great plan at a competitive cost. Stop threatening to quit or call out for days on end unless you’d like to come experience employer coverage out here in the wild.

Or maybe, just maybe we CARE about the kids we teach and feel bad that we will have to take days off because we know it sucks, but it is also the only way we are given. It isn’t a threat, just the reality of what we are facing.

This has nothing to do with insurance plans changing. I know some people are asking for more days off to "look for more doctors" That's nonsense. Most of this can be done online at any time of day. Even if not, our contract hours allow for phone calls.

No, my kid needs to be brought to a doctor so her multiple therapies can be approved. I need to take medicine for a chronic condition. I suppose after being in Kaiser for 20 years, I could be out of it, but I doubt a doctor will just approve and write a prescription without ever seeing me. I can pick a doctor out online, in fact I already have on the BCBS website. That doesn’t mean I can get him to prescribe meds sight unseen. We have to SEE the doctor and that can’t be done outside of contract hours.