APS and new healthcare provider

[Anonymous]

Silly question –– does APS have a teacher’s union? Can they help advocate? I’ve always been confused if there’s actually a union for APS teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was so happy when I didn't need to use Kaiser anymore.

I think some of the extreme reactions are coming from people who have been inthe HMO world so long that they have no idea how much easier it is to see specialists WITHOUT needing a PCP. Kaiser made me go through unnecessary steps for a surgery. I had the same one of a different joint once off Kaiser and my time to surgery from diagnosis was much shorter.

Also, there seems to be a lot of speculation about why or why not Kaiser didn't bid. I wish APS would just come out and say that they didn't exclude them so the people looking to vilify Syphax could let that go.

Duran said that during the school board meeting, and that they couldn’t solicit bids because that would be seen as favoritism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm fine with switching because I have Cigna, and I've had many different insurance programs in the past. I do feel bad for my co-workers who have Kaiser. In the classroom when you work with kids its hard to get a moment to make a private phone call to get an appointment, many of us share rooms, and cant even make calls in our room because there are always kids in the room. The teachers lounge is not private. Its just so inconvenient.

I hung out with one of my friends yesterday who recently divorced she had a really great therapist through Kaiser, now she has to switch, she will have to start at square one with her therapist. She also needs to carve out time to find an Ob-gyn and pediatrician, not terrible but what a pain.
I've worked in APS since the 1980's we have always had Kaiser, over 50% of the APS teachers have Kaiser, how could they not just continue with them as an option?
Moral is LOW. So many changes to deal with its like the straw that is breaking everyone's back.

“We are starting no new initiatives this year.”

(Except for new healthcare, parent square and the science scope thing)

Nothing new here.

No a new healthcare provider for employees is not a new initiative. It's a stardard busines practice that occurs on a schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was so happy when I didn't need to use Kaiser anymore.

I think some of the extreme reactions are coming from people who have been inthe HMO world so long that they have no idea how much easier it is to see specialists WITHOUT needing a PCP. Kaiser made me go through unnecessary steps for a surgery. I had the same one of a different joint once off Kaiser and my time to surgery from diagnosis was much shorter.

Also, there seems to be a lot of speculation about why or why not Kaiser didn't bid. I wish APS would just come out and say that they didn't exclude them so the people looking to vilify Syphax could let that go.

I do think there is such a huge positive difference in being able to choose a doctor/urgent care closer to work/home. I live closest to the Alexandria office but their services and hours are limited. I have several doctors close to my home/school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That's what's different here. To go from Kaiser to another plan means you have to change every single provider. What if you have a whole family all with PCPs and some with specialists? What if you're in the middle of treatment for cancer? Or you have a surgery that you need early next year?

Maybe there was no other course but IDK, I have not seen the RFP. But APS could give the employees some extra days off to set up new healthcare relationships. Or give them time off to attend the info sessions that are in the middle of the workday. Do something.

We don’t need extra days off. Non-Kaiser providers often have better hours and more flexible locations. Some of the information sessions are outside of work hours.

Who is "we"? The teachers speaking up publicly are saying they are going to need to take time off to set up relationships with new doctors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm fine with switching because I have Cigna, and I've had many different insurance programs in the past. I do feel bad for my co-workers who have Kaiser. In the classroom when you work with kids its hard to get a moment to make a private phone call to get an appointment, many of us share rooms, and cant even make calls in our room because there are always kids in the room. The teachers lounge is not private. Its just so inconvenient.

I hung out with one of my friends yesterday who recently divorced she had a really great therapist through Kaiser, now she has to switch, she will have to start at square one with her therapist. She also needs to carve out time to find an Ob-gyn and pediatrician, not terrible but what a pain.
I've worked in APS since the 1980's we have always had Kaiser, over 50% of the APS teachers have Kaiser, how could they not just continue with them as an option?
Moral is LOW. So many changes to deal with its like the straw that is breaking everyone's back.

“We are starting no new initiatives this year.”

(Except for new healthcare, parent square and the science scope thing)

Nothing new here.

No a new healthcare provider for employees is not a new initiative. It's a stardard busines practice that occurs on a schedule.

Ok- there was still a lie in there. It is disrespectful.

I’m happy about the switch but I am also saying I will need to take time off. It is just a reality. I think the Syphax staff should be required to take one day as a sub in their specialization area to help with the issue.
And they should pay subs extra during the months of Jan and Feb to help draw people in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That's what's different here. To go from Kaiser to another plan means you have to change every single provider. What if you have a whole family all with PCPs and some with specialists? What if you're in the middle of treatment for cancer? Or you have a surgery that you need early next year?

Maybe there was no other course but IDK, I have not seen the RFP. But APS could give the employees some extra days off to set up new healthcare relationships. Or give them time off to attend the info sessions that are in the middle of the workday. Do something.

We don’t need extra days off. Non-Kaiser providers often have better hours and more flexible locations. Some of the information sessions are outside of work hours.

Who is "we"? The teachers speaking up publicly are saying they are going to need to take time off to set up relationships with new doctors.

If they’ll stop making teachers look bad I’ll donate from my sick leave

[Anonymous]

APS teacher of 10 years here - and I am beyond embarrassed by how outraged my colleagues are acting. I am actually happy about the switch to Blue Cross Blue Shield. In previous jobs I've held, insurance carriers have switched, and it hasn't been a big deal. Everyone saying they need days and days off to search for new doctors is beyond ridiculous. I watched the school board comments and I cringed. A small group of APS teachers act so outraged over EVERYTHING and they give the rest of us a bad reputation. Just want people to know we aren't all this crazy. And the people who speak at school board meetings (including one very vocal teacher) - DO NOT represent the majority of teachers in APS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher of 10 years here - and I am beyond embarrassed by how outraged my colleagues are acting. I am actually happy about the switch to Blue Cross Blue Shield. In previous jobs I've held, insurance carriers have switched, and it hasn't been a big deal. Everyone saying they need days and days off to search for new doctors is beyond ridiculous. I watched the school board comments and I cringed. A small group of APS teachers act so outraged over EVERYTHING and they give the rest of us a bad reputation. Just want people to know we aren't all this crazy. And the people who speak at school board meetings (including one very vocal teacher) - DO NOT represent the majority of teachers in APS.

Thank you! I'm so happy that none of them work in my school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher of 10 years here - and I am beyond embarrassed by how outraged my colleagues are acting. I am actually happy about the switch to Blue Cross Blue Shield. In previous jobs I've held, insurance carriers have switched, and it hasn't been a big deal. Everyone saying they need days and days off to search for new doctors is beyond ridiculous. I watched the school board comments and I cringed. A small group of APS teachers act so outraged over EVERYTHING and they give the rest of us a bad reputation. Just want people to know we aren't all this crazy. And the people who speak at school board meetings (including one very vocal teacher) - DO NOT represent the majority of teachers in APS.

Thank you! I'm so happy that none of them work in my school.

“The people at the top DO respond to pressure from the bottom, yet the people at the bottom don’t have time or mental energy to fight back or to change how the interact or question why things are done the way they are done. This is how oppressive systems work and the reason they stay functioning. We need people from the bottom to rise up.”

Why do you have a problem with people speaking out about their experience? I didn’t speak out (except for here) and will have to take some leave. I don’t think it ridiculous to state that I am going to need more sub coverage during a sub and staffing shortage. What I am attempting to prevent is kids losing more time learning. We are also pointing out that there are effects from this change, and that classroom teachers shouldn’t constantly be expected to take the brunt of those systemic changes. They should plan in some way for some teachers to need time off. Others don’t need subs and will not have the same consequences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher of 10 years here - and I am beyond embarrassed by how outraged my colleagues are acting. I am actually happy about the switch to Blue Cross Blue Shield. In previous jobs I've held, insurance carriers have switched, and it hasn't been a big deal. Everyone saying they need days and days off to search for new doctors is beyond ridiculous. I watched the school board comments and I cringed. A small group of APS teachers act so outraged over EVERYTHING and they give the rest of us a bad reputation. Just want people to know we aren't all this crazy. And the people who speak at school board meetings (including one very vocal teacher) - DO NOT represent the majority of teachers in APS.

Thank you! I'm so happy that none of them work in my school.

“The people at the top DO respond to pressure from the bottom, yet the people at the bottom don’t have time or mental energy to fight back or to change how the interact or question why things are done the way they are done. This is how oppressive systems work and the reason they stay functioning. We need people from the bottom to rise up.”

Why do you have a problem with people speaking out about their experience? I didn’t speak out (except for here) and will have to take some leave. I don’t think it ridiculous to state that I am going to need more sub coverage during a sub and staffing shortage. What I am attempting to prevent is kids losing more time learning. We are also pointing out that there are effects from this change, and that classroom teachers shouldn’t constantly be expected to take the brunt of those systemic changes. They should plan in some way for some teachers to need time off. Others don’t need subs and will not have the same consequences.

Because it’s done as a threat to parents “call the school board or your child will miss out on instruction” It makes us all look bad. Misinformation is being spread about why Kaiser didn’t bid. They are in a strike due to overwork- have any of the people screaming conspiracy considered that Kaiser didn’t want us?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher of 10 years here - and I am beyond embarrassed by how outraged my colleagues are acting. I am actually happy about the switch to Blue Cross Blue Shield. In previous jobs I've held, insurance carriers have switched, and it hasn't been a big deal. Everyone saying they need days and days off to search for new doctors is beyond ridiculous. I watched the school board comments and I cringed. A small group of APS teachers act so outraged over EVERYTHING and they give the rest of us a bad reputation. Just want people to know we aren't all this crazy. And the people who speak at school board meetings (including one very vocal teacher) - DO NOT represent the majority of teachers in APS.

This parent thanks you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher of 10 years here - and I am beyond embarrassed by how outraged my colleagues are acting. I am actually happy about the switch to Blue Cross Blue Shield. In previous jobs I've held, insurance carriers have switched, and it hasn't been a big deal. Everyone saying they need days and days off to search for new doctors is beyond ridiculous. I watched the school board comments and I cringed. A small group of APS teachers act so outraged over EVERYTHING and they give the rest of us a bad reputation. Just want people to know we aren't all this crazy. And the people who speak at school board meetings (including one very vocal teacher) - DO NOT represent the majority of teachers in APS.

Thank you! I'm so happy that none of them work in my school.

“The people at the top DO respond to pressure from the bottom, yet the people at the bottom don’t have time or mental energy to fight back or to change how the interact or question why things are done the way they are done. This is how oppressive systems work and the reason they stay functioning. We need people from the bottom to rise up.”

Why do you have a problem with people speaking out about their experience? I didn’t speak out (except for here) and will have to take some leave. I don’t think it ridiculous to state that I am going to need more sub coverage during a sub and staffing shortage. What I am attempting to prevent is kids losing more time learning. We are also pointing out that there are effects from this change, and that classroom teachers shouldn’t constantly be expected to take the brunt of those systemic changes. They should plan in some way for some teachers to need time off. Others don’t need subs and will not have the same consequences.

Because it’s done as a threat to parents “call the school board or your child will miss out on instruction” It makes us all look bad. Misinformation is being spread about why Kaiser didn’t bid. They are in a strike due to overwork- have any of the people screaming conspiracy considered that Kaiser didn’t want us?

I agree that parent’s should be involved as this is within APS, but I also think as employees when we see this coming down the line, if we say nothing to admin, that is a problem too. I wrote to HR (and on here) and kept it to that. I don’t expect parents to care or do anything, but I also think it is my duty to tell admin that I will need some time off and that others probably will too because of the policy change. I don’t want my kid with multiple therapies to not get those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Exactly, federal employees have it pretty good.

Yes. Except for shutdowns and constant threats of defunding.

Don’t you get backpay? And if you don’t like it, find a new job like you keep telling us.

I'm not a federal employee. And I am not the one telling you to find a new job you like. But if you are so unhappy, then you probably should at least consider looking for someplace you will like better. Just like anybody else who is unhappy at their job. If you find something better, great. If you don't, please don't bring your negative attitude about your employer/employment conditions to the classroom or to the parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher of 10 years here - and I am beyond embarrassed by how outraged my colleagues are acting. I am actually happy about the switch to Blue Cross Blue Shield. In previous jobs I've held, insurance carriers have switched, and it hasn't been a big deal. Everyone saying they need days and days off to search for new doctors is beyond ridiculous. I watched the school board comments and I cringed. A small group of APS teachers act so outraged over EVERYTHING and they give the rest of us a bad reputation. Just want people to know we aren't all this crazy. And the people who speak at school board meetings (including one very vocal teacher) - DO NOT represent the majority of teachers in APS.

Anyone who isn’t looking for excuses to hate on teachers already understands this.