APS and new healthcare provider

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a federal employee, I wanted to chime in on the facebook threads and ask if teachers were urgently writing to their elected officials to advocate for the government not to shut down. How many families in APS would be impacted by a shutdown? That's a major upheaval, but, you don't see parents whining to teachers asking for support.

Ideally, APS would have more than one insurance option available to staff, but, the contracting/procurement/funding is what it is. I understand it's not ideal to have to switch health care providers, but, as numerous people have pointed out, this is routine in the rest of the professional world, and all of us who are not teachers do not get to enjoy summers off to schedule any and every appointment under the sun for ourselves and our families.

as a federal employee how many times have you had your healthcare changed up on you??????? and please do ask your question on the FB page…we’ll be waiting to respond.

DP. Federal employees have pretty good and consistent options. Premiums can change regularly. Nevertheless, it's not about any one individual profession. Federal contractors who have to change companies frequently experience benefits changes that not only include entirely different health plans; but sometimes no options among health plans, and different amounts of leave regardless of years of professional experience, different retirement plan options, etc. And sometimes they end up with really really crappy insurance and leave. And the stress of being a contractor with changes in contract awards etc.

I really do feel bad for those of you who chose Kaiser and now have to change. I really do. It sucks and it's crappy APS didn't give more consideration to that when half of its workforce is apparently on that plan and it is an entirely different system. I'd be furious and anxious and disappointed and angry and everything else, too. But it is not the issue you should expect parents to get involved in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the person who keeps talking about my summer off… I wish you could be a fly on the wall for this past month. Do you have any idea how many additional hours we put in? I have worked every evening and weekend for the past month. I fell asleep at 7 last night because I’m so exhausted. I have more education than all of my Arlington neighbors who work from home, take long walks all day, make more than me, and then all tell me how “lucky” I am every summer. It is a choice I made, but it is not cushy. Have some respect. Or hey, join us… we can’t find enough people to do it, cushy gig that it is. Come and join the team.

The insurance thing does not affect me, but I can tell you that teachers in APS are quite rightfully upset. Duran gave all the central office staff an extra three weeks of vacation, and things are not getting done. There are basic things we need, many people that are supposed to support us, and our jobs have become much harder. Huge classes. No funding for field trips. No subs. Difficulty renewing licenses and getting supplies. All as this occurs, an expanding central office.

Now, you have teachers that will have to pay more for insurance. (Don’t just look at rates, look at the deductibles.). It’s like the straw that broke the camel’s back.

I don’t know anyone who only works for 8 hours a day. A lot of jobs if not most have to work extra which isn’t paid for. That’s kind of how it goes here in America. I don’t know anyone over the age of 25 who isn’t tired from work and life in general.

Those jobs pay a lot better than teaching positions.

Really? I know several restaurant managers making $60K working 12 hour days including weekends and holidays. I am an APS teacher. I know it’s hard work but I hate when teachers assume everyone else makes less money for fewer hours. It’s absolutely untrue. Many people take home work, work more than 40 hours and make less than we do. A good portion of them have advanced degrees too (including some of the people I know in hospitality!)

Do restaurant manager jobs require a college degree?

-parent who knows many people who don’t work nearly as hard and make significantly more than teachers.

Thank you! I mean, I live in Arlington, I look around… my neighbors can work from home, make more money, use the bathroom, don’t have to pack lunch, don’t have to buy gas… we have to acknowledge these things, or we will not have teachers in the future.

But you knew all that when you went into teaching.

Godamn arguments like this are so shitty.

Like, "how dare you complain and try to make things better you should have known how bad it was"

Fck you

You 100% knew what you were getting yourself into. If you didn’t you’re an idiot and shouldn’t be teaching.

Now off you f#ck.

I doubt PP knew they’d have to deal with POS parents like you.

Not the POS parent you're responding to; but they would deal with POS parent attitudes less if they didn't gripe about every negative aspect of their job and expect us to come rallying around every term of their employment they don't like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the person who keeps talking about my summer off… I wish you could be a fly on the wall for this past month. Do you have any idea how many additional hours we put in? I have worked every evening and weekend for the past month. I fell asleep at 7 last night because I’m so exhausted. I have more education than all of my Arlington neighbors who work from home, take long walks all day, make more than me, and then all tell me how “lucky” I am every summer. It is a choice I made, but it is not cushy. Have some respect. Or hey, join us… we can’t find enough people to do it, cushy gig that it is. Come and join the team.

The insurance thing does not affect me, but I can tell you that teachers in APS are quite rightfully upset. Duran gave all the central office staff an extra three weeks of vacation, and things are not getting done. There are basic things we need, many people that are supposed to support us, and our jobs have become much harder. Huge classes. No funding for field trips. No subs. Difficulty renewing licenses and getting supplies. All as this occurs, an expanding central office.

Now, you have teachers that will have to pay more for insurance. (Don’t just look at rates, look at the deductibles.). It’s like the straw that broke the camel’s back.

I don’t know anyone who only works for 8 hours a day. A lot of jobs if not most have to work extra which isn’t paid for. That’s kind of how it goes here in America. I don’t know anyone over the age of 25 who isn’t tired from work and life in general.

Those jobs pay a lot better than teaching positions.

Really? I know several restaurant managers making $60K working 12 hour days including weekends and holidays. I am an APS teacher. I know it’s hard work but I hate when teachers assume everyone else makes less money for fewer hours. It’s absolutely untrue. Many people take home work, work more than 40 hours and make less than we do. A good portion of them have advanced degrees too (including some of the people I know in hospitality!)

Do restaurant manager jobs require a college degree?

-parent who knows many people who don’t work nearly as hard and make significantly more than teachers.

Thank you! I mean, I live in Arlington, I look around… my neighbors can work from home, make more money, use the bathroom, don’t have to pack lunch, don’t have to buy gas… we have to acknowledge these things, or we will not have teachers in the future.

But you knew all that when you went into teaching.

Godamn arguments like this are so shitty.

Like, "how dare you complain and try to make things better you should have known how bad it was"

Fck you

You 100% knew what you were getting yourself into. If you didn’t you’re an idiot and shouldn’t be teaching.

Now off you f#ck.

I doubt PP knew they’d have to deal with POS parents like you.

Not the POS parent you're responding to; but they would deal with POS parent attitudes less if they didn't gripe about every negative aspect of their job and expect us to come rallying around every term of their employment they don't like.

Don’t make me hit you!

Don’t blame teachers for the poor behavior of parents. It’s a legitimately bad situation for a group that has already been through a lot. Others may have also had a difficult time, but that doesn’t take away the added frustration.

It’s a bigger deal for our kids (and society) if we lose more teachers vs lose more restaurant managers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a federal employee, I wanted to chime in on the facebook threads and ask if teachers were urgently writing to their elected officials to advocate for the government not to shut down. How many families in APS would be impacted by a shutdown? That's a major upheaval, but, you don't see parents whining to teachers asking for support.

Ideally, APS would have more than one insurance option available to staff, but, the contracting/procurement/funding is what it is. I understand it's not ideal to have to switch health care providers, but, as numerous people have pointed out, this is routine in the rest of the professional world, and all of us who are not teachers do not get to enjoy summers off to schedule any and every appointment under the sun for ourselves and our families.

as a federal employee how many times have you had your healthcare changed up on you??????? and please do ask your question on the FB page…we’ll be waiting to respond.

In many years there are health insurance companies that leave FEHB (the federal employee health benefits plan). If you’re with one of those insurers you would have to pick a new plan. I don’t believe departures are announced until open season, which begins in November for coverage that begins Jan. 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a federal employee, I wanted to chime in on the facebook threads and ask if teachers were urgently writing to their elected officials to advocate for the government not to shut down. How many families in APS would be impacted by a shutdown? That's a major upheaval, but, you don't see parents whining to teachers asking for support.

Ideally, APS would have more than one insurance option available to staff, but, the contracting/procurement/funding is what it is. I understand it's not ideal to have to switch health care providers, but, as numerous people have pointed out, this is routine in the rest of the professional world, and all of us who are not teachers do not get to enjoy summers off to schedule any and every appointment under the sun for ourselves and our families.

as a federal employee how many times have you had your healthcare changed up on you??????? and please do ask your question on the FB page…we’ll be waiting to respond.

In many years there are health insurance companies that leave FEHB (the federal employee health benefits plan). If you’re with one of those insurers you would have to pick a new plan. I don’t believe departures are announced until open season, which begins in November for coverage that begins Jan. 1.

Would still like to hear from the originally poster of this comment as to how many times they had had to switch and if they are still going to share their originally post on the FB page……

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a federal employee, I wanted to chime in on the facebook threads and ask if teachers were urgently writing to their elected officials to advocate for the government not to shut down. How many families in APS would be impacted by a shutdown? That's a major upheaval, but, you don't see parents whining to teachers asking for support.

Ideally, APS would have more than one insurance option available to staff, but, the contracting/procurement/funding is what it is. I understand it's not ideal to have to switch health care providers, but, as numerous people have pointed out, this is routine in the rest of the professional world, and all of us who are not teachers do not get to enjoy summers off to schedule any and every appointment under the sun for ourselves and our families.

as a federal employee how many times have you had your healthcare changed up on you??????? and please do ask your question on the FB page…we’ll be waiting to respond.

DP. Federal employees have pretty good and consistent options. Premiums can change regularly. Nevertheless, it's not about any one individual profession. Federal contractors who have to change companies frequently experience benefits changes that not only include entirely different health plans; but sometimes no options among health plans, and different amounts of leave regardless of years of professional experience, different retirement plan options, etc. And sometimes they end up with really really crappy insurance and leave. And the stress of being a contractor with changes in contract awards etc.

I really do feel bad for those of you who chose Kaiser and now have to change. I really do. It sucks and it's crappy APS didn't give more consideration to that when half of its workforce is apparently on that plan and it is an entirely different system. I'd be furious and anxious and disappointed and angry and everything else, too. But it is not the issue you should expect parents to get involved in.

Exactly, federal employees have it pretty good.

[Anonymous]

This thread.

Government workers in general get amazing benefits and job protections unrivaled by any private sector jobs in this country. In local government (including teachers), workers get a defined benefit pension. This is very unique. These things are a huge deal and have a lot of value.

For anyone who does not like their work environment or working conditions or just simply finds the nature of their profession no longer works for them, if you are able to make a different decision about your job then do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread.

Government workers in general get amazing benefits and job protections unrivaled by any private sector jobs in this country. In local government (including teachers), workers get a defined benefit pension. This is very unique. These things are a huge deal and have a lot of value.

For anyone who does not like their work environment or working conditions or just simply finds the nature of their profession no longer works for them, if you are able to make a different decision about your job then do so.

Teachers have put up with a lot. I can’t believe how terrible everyone is on this thread. Yes, it sucks for them - and the total lack of sympathy is awful. Perhaps there was/is nothing APS could’ve done differently apart from messaging - but sometimes the way you present it is enough to diffuse the blow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread.

Government workers in general get amazing benefits and job protections unrivaled by any private sector jobs in this country. In local government (including teachers), workers get a defined benefit pension. This is very unique. These things are a huge deal and have a lot of value.

For anyone who does not like their work environment or working conditions or just simply finds the nature of their profession no longer works for them, if you are able to make a different decision about your job then do so.

Teachers have put up with a lot. I can’t believe how terrible everyone is on this thread. Yes, it sucks for them - and the total lack of sympathy is awful. Perhaps there was/is nothing APS could’ve done differently apart from messaging - but sometimes the way you present it is enough to diffuse the blow.

Not surprising at all given how horrible some parents were during the pandemic. Absolutely horrible people. -Parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a federal employee, I wanted to chime in on the facebook threads and ask if teachers were urgently writing to their elected officials to advocate for the government not to shut down. How many families in APS would be impacted by a shutdown? That's a major upheaval, but, you don't see parents whining to teachers asking for support.

Ideally, APS would have more than one insurance option available to staff, but, the contracting/procurement/funding is what it is. I understand it's not ideal to have to switch health care providers, but, as numerous people have pointed out, this is routine in the rest of the professional world, and all of us who are not teachers do not get to enjoy summers off to schedule any and every appointment under the sun for ourselves and our families.

as a federal employee how many times have you had your healthcare changed up on you??????? and please do ask your question on the FB page…we’ll be waiting to respond.

DP. Federal employees have pretty good and consistent options. Premiums can change regularly. Nevertheless, it's not about any one individual profession. Federal contractors who have to change companies frequently experience benefits changes that not only include entirely different health plans; but sometimes no options among health plans, and different amounts of leave regardless of years of professional experience, different retirement plan options, etc. And sometimes they end up with really really crappy insurance and leave. And the stress of being a contractor with changes in contract awards etc.

I really do feel bad for those of you who chose Kaiser and now have to change. I really do. It sucks and it's crappy APS didn't give more consideration to that when half of its workforce is apparently on that plan and it is an entirely different system. I'd be furious and anxious and disappointed and angry and everything else, too. But it is not the issue you should expect parents to get involved in.

Or did APS listen to complaints over the years from teachers who were unhappy with Kaiser. The perspective here and on AEM is only a tiny fraction of teachers. How do we know that APS didn’t revive complaints that Kaiser was too restrictive? That mow choice or better choices or more flexibility was needed? The new plan offers a PPO option and that might have been an ask by teachers for years.

I agree with another poster that every single employment grievance teachers have they expect the general public to be outraged and show up with pitch forks to school board meetings. I have grown tired of the “ we have it so bad nobody can understand!” Other people have bad working conditions as well and I am talking professional jobs too. And it’s not uncommon to work more than 40 hours a week and not have a great salary, There are plenty of people who work in offices in that exact situation.

For those who threaten to leave over this insurance issue, how does that even make sense? If you switch employers you could be in the same situation with having to switch insurance plans. Will you limit your job search to only employers who offer Kaiser health insurance?

The insurance contract has been awarded. It’s done. No amount of school board speeches or emails will change it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a federal employee, I wanted to chime in on the facebook threads and ask if teachers were urgently writing to their elected officials to advocate for the government not to shut down. How many families in APS would be impacted by a shutdown? That's a major upheaval, but, you don't see parents whining to teachers asking for support.

Ideally, APS would have more than one insurance option available to staff, but, the contracting/procurement/funding is what it is. I understand it's not ideal to have to switch health care providers, but, as numerous people have pointed out, this is routine in the rest of the professional world, and all of us who are not teachers do not get to enjoy summers off to schedule any and every appointment under the sun for ourselves and our families.

as a federal employee how many times have you had your healthcare changed up on you??????? and please do ask your question on the FB page…we’ll be waiting to respond.

DP. Federal employees have pretty good and consistent options. Premiums can change regularly. Nevertheless, it's not about any one individual profession. Federal contractors who have to change companies frequently experience benefits changes that not only include entirely different health plans; but sometimes no options among health plans, and different amounts of leave regardless of years of professional experience, different retirement plan options, etc. And sometimes they end up with really really crappy insurance and leave. And the stress of being a contractor with changes in contract awards etc.

I really do feel bad for those of you who chose Kaiser and now have to change. I really do. It sucks and it's crappy APS didn't give more consideration to that when half of its workforce is apparently on that plan and it is an entirely different system. I'd be furious and anxious and disappointed and angry and everything else, too. But it is not the issue you should expect parents to get involved in.

Or did APS listen to complaints over the years from teachers who were unhappy with Kaiser. The perspective here and on AEM is only a tiny fraction of teachers. How do we know that APS didn’t revive complaints that Kaiser was too restrictive? That mow choice or better choices or more flexibility was needed? The new plan offers a PPO option and that might have been an ask by teachers for years.

I agree with another poster that every single employment grievance teachers have they expect the general public to be outraged and show up with pitch forks to school board meetings. I have grown tired of the “ we have it so bad nobody can understand!” Other people have bad working conditions as well and I am talking professional jobs too. And it’s not uncommon to work more than 40 hours a week and not have a great salary, There are plenty of people who work in offices in that exact situation.

For those who threaten to leave over this insurance issue, how does that even make sense? If you switch employers you could be in the same situation with having to switch insurance plans. Will you limit your job search to only employers who offer Kaiser health insurance?

The insurance contract has been awarded. It’s done. No amount of school board speeches or emails will change it.

It wasn’t even that APS didn’t select Kaiser, Kaiser didn’t bid. They didn’t want APS for whatever reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread.

Government workers in general get amazing benefits and job protections unrivaled by any private sector jobs in this country. In local government (including teachers), workers get a defined benefit pension. This is very unique. These things are a huge deal and have a lot of value.

For anyone who does not like their work environment or working conditions or just simply finds the nature of their profession no longer works for them, if you are able to make a different decision about your job then do so.

Teachers have put up with a lot. I can’t believe how terrible everyone is on this thread. Yes, it sucks for them - and the total lack of sympathy is awful. Perhaps there was/is nothing APS could’ve done differently apart from messaging - but sometimes the way you present it is enough to diffuse the blow.

I do sympathize, but the amount of freaking out about this is disproportionate to the actual issue. Yes it sucks, but there’s nothing to do about it. Kaiser didn’t bid. You have 3 months to figure it out. That’s life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread.

Government workers in general get amazing benefits and job protections unrivaled by any private sector jobs in this country. In local government (including teachers), workers get a defined benefit pension. This is very unique. These things are a huge deal and have a lot of value.

For anyone who does not like their work environment or working conditions or just simply finds the nature of their profession no longer works for them, if you are able to make a different decision about your job then do so.

Teachers have put up with a lot. I can’t believe how terrible everyone is on this thread. Yes, it sucks for them - and the total lack of sympathy is awful. Perhaps there was/is nothing APS could’ve done differently apart from messaging - but sometimes the way you present it is enough to diffuse the blow.

I do sympathize, but the amount of freaking out about this is disproportionate to the actual issue. Yes it sucks, but there’s nothing to do about it. Kaiser didn’t bid. You have 3 months to figure it out. That’s life.

It Happens all the time in the private sector. In a 4 year span my spouse had Cigna, United, BCBS and back to Cigna

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread.

Government workers in general get amazing benefits and job protections unrivaled by any private sector jobs in this country. In local government (including teachers), workers get a defined benefit pension. This is very unique. These things are a huge deal and have a lot of value.

For anyone who does not like their work environment or working conditions or just simply finds the nature of their profession no longer works for them, if you are able to make a different decision about your job then do so.

Teachers have put up with a lot. I can’t believe how terrible everyone is on this thread. Yes, it sucks for them - and the total lack of sympathy is awful. Perhaps there was/is nothing APS could’ve done differently apart from messaging - but sometimes the way you present it is enough to diffuse the blow.

I do sympathize, but the amount of freaking out about this is disproportionate to the actual issue. Yes it sucks, but there’s nothing to do about it. Kaiser didn’t bid. You have 3 months to figure it out. That’s life.

It Happens all the time in the private sector. In a 4 year span my spouse had Cigna, United, BCBS and back to Cigna

I’ve also had those three as well as Aetna.

The difference is that many providers work with most of those insurance companies. Kaiser is a different beast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread.

Government workers in general get amazing benefits and job protections unrivaled by any private sector jobs in this country. In local government (including teachers), workers get a defined benefit pension. This is very unique. These things are a huge deal and have a lot of value.

For anyone who does not like their work environment or working conditions or just simply finds the nature of their profession no longer works for them, if you are able to make a different decision about your job then do so.

Teachers have put up with a lot. I can’t believe how terrible everyone is on this thread. Yes, it sucks for them - and the total lack of sympathy is awful. Perhaps there was/is nothing APS could’ve done differently apart from messaging - but sometimes the way you present it is enough to diffuse the blow.

I do sympathize, but the amount of freaking out about this is disproportionate to the actual issue. Yes it sucks, but there’s nothing to do about it. Kaiser didn’t bid. You have 3 months to figure it out. That’s life.

It Happens all the time in the private sector. In a 4 year span my spouse had Cigna, United, BCBS and back to Cigna

I’ve also had those three as well as Aetna.

The difference is that many providers work with most of those insurance companies. Kaiser is a different beast.

I know, I’m an APS Employee who has Kaiser. I’m not saying it doesn’t suck for some people, it does. But there are staff acting like this is unprecedented. It’s not.