I'm furious that the unions did not survey their members to gather feedback and get their preference. Many employees would rather pay more to keep BCBS then be forced to switch to Cigna. It isn't just about providers that accept Cigna, it's also about what medications and treatments they will and will not cover. I know they do not cover DBT therapy which is a life saving therapy program for many teens and adults. I guarantee they will not cover weight loss treatments at the same level as BCBS. I can only hope they cover gender affirming treatment/surgery and conception interventions and support that allow for all employees, regardless of gender or martial status, to receive benefits. It is careless of the unions to agree with this without getting input from their members, they are not representing the employees.

There was an email address at the bottom inviting questions, so I’d urge those of us who are upset to use that to ask what the union’s plan is to fix this when it inevitably goes sideways, why this was done cloak and dagger with no consultation of membership, and why now when everyone is already on the edge.

I’m questioning my dues and have for a couple years now. If I want to be marginalized and ignored, I can get that for free.

Anonymous wrote:We have had insurance through Cigna in the past, through my spouse's employer and my assessment is that they are awful. Claims processed incorrectly, claims denied that needed to be re-processed again and again, even though every phone call I was told it would be taken care of, and my all time favorite, both of our children have a condition they were born with, that needs monitoring and occasional treatment. They have a specialist they had been seeing for years (when covered by Aetna). When spouse changed jobs and we then had Cigna, I wrote an appeal for each child, essentially the same (child diagnosed with xx was being seen/treated by doctor Larlo since their diagnosis, no doctors in Cigna that treated xx diagnosis, and could they cover the treatment/visits with Dr. Larlo). One child approved, one denied. Many phone calls, hours of my time later, I was finally put through to someone who was willing to look at the information rather than read from the Cigna pre-approved script. And eventually, both kids visits were approved.

I know it's anecdotal by one person, but Cigna is awful. Benefits were the one reason many worked for MC, because the money is awful (paraeducators anyway). We shall see if this has any effect. I am no longer a para at MCPS, but if I still was, I would have paid more to stay with Carefirst. Never again will my family be stuck with Cigna, or the Kaiser HMO (would go on the ACA before I would go with either of those).

I have a relative who was a hospital social worker and department head for many years, and had worked with pretty much all the various insurance companies on behalf of patients. My husband and I consult with her every time our jobs and insurance options change, just to see what she thinks would be the best bet among our new set of choices.

The one consistent piece of advice she’s given us over the years: “Anything but Cigna.”

Anonymous wrote:Most medical providers in the DC area are in network with BCBS. Not so with Cigna. Kaiser in the DC area is even worse because you have $0 coverage unless you go to a Kaiser medical facility. You don’t have access to top doctors when you need one with Kaiser and wait times for appointments can be long.

Cutting benefits is just another way to short change employees. Employers do it to save on their contributions, not to provide better coverage for the employees. Terrible decision by MCPS and to spring this on employees after the decision was made shows how little MCPS cares about what employees want.

What link or source are you reading that says most medical providers in the DC are not in network with CIGNA?

Anonymous wrote:Most medical providers in the DC area are in network with BCBS. Not so with Cigna. Kaiser in the DC area is even worse because you have $0 coverage unless you go to a Kaiser medical facility. You don’t have access to top doctors when you need one with Kaiser and wait times for appointments can be long.

Cutting benefits is just another way to short change employees. Employers do it to save on their contributions, not to provide better coverage for the employees. Terrible decision by MCPS and to spring this on employees after the decision was made shows how little MCPS cares about what employees want.

Well, the email did do one thing. It got me less mad at MCPS and more mad at the useless union. Of course MCPS wants to make stupid decisions and cut costs. It's the union's job to put up a fight to protect our benefits. Learning instead that they rolled over and collaborated with it, I'm speechless. Literally nobody I've spoken to is happy with this. Who exactly are they representing?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I found this reassuring, but I don't. There is simply zero chance that a health insurance giant in this day and age would give the same or better coverage for a lot less money. The difference will be extracted somewhere. I'm still very upset. And I would love to know what the general reaction has been. No one I have talked to is happy about this. Picking a time where everyone has been under incredible strain and they can't retain staff is just such a tone deaf time to make a huge change like this.

Would you rather pay significantly more next year in insurance rates? Plans are marketed in order to chase the best rates. CareFirst was undoubtedly heading down the path of huge price hike. It is a monumental change for an organization to change benefit plans, especially given the size of MCPS.

Also, it’s perfectly normal for the rates and benefit coverage to remain flat when going to a nee carrier. That’s the advantage to marketing plans, you want someone to come in offering you the world. Eventually, Cigna and Kaiser will come back with price increases too.

Yes, I would rather pay more. And I would rather have been asked. Costs are up across the board for everyone. For MCEA to think we're somehow the magical privileged ones that get to have just as great coverage for cheaper is unbelievably dumb. Either it's going to be not cheaper, or not great coverage.

Most medical providers in the DC area are in network with BCBS. Not so with Cigna. Kaiser in the DC area is even worse because you have $0 coverage unless you go to a Kaiser medical facility. You don’t have access to top doctors when you need one with Kaiser and wait times for appointments can be long.

Cutting benefits is just another way to short change employees. Employers do it to save on their contributions, not to provide better coverage for the employees. Terrible decision by MCPS and to spring this on employees after the decision was made shows how little MCPS cares about what employees want.

I agree with earlier post that there has to be a catch somewhere... or will be soon.
Anyone have any information on when they'll release the benefits table? Spouse's open season is in October and I'd like to be able to compare to make an educated decision. Argh!

We have had insurance through Cigna in the past, through my spouse's employer and my assessment is that they are awful. Claims processed incorrectly, claims denied that needed to be re-processed again and again, even though every phone call I was told it would be taken care of, and my all time favorite, both of our children have a condition they were born with, that needs monitoring and occasional treatment. They have a specialist they had been seeing for years (when covered by Aetna). When spouse changed jobs and we then had Cigna, I wrote an appeal for each child, essentially the same (child diagnosed with xx was being seen/treated by doctor Larlo since their diagnosis, no doctors in Cigna that treated xx diagnosis, and could they cover the treatment/visits with Dr. Larlo). One child approved, one denied. Many phone calls, hours of my time later, I was finally put through to someone who was willing to look at the information rather than read from the Cigna pre-approved script. And eventually, both kids visits were approved.

I know it's anecdotal by one person, but Cigna is awful. Benefits were the one reason many worked for MC, because the money is awful (paraeducators anyway). We shall see if this has any effect. I am no longer a para at MCPS, but if I still was, I would have paid more to stay with Carefirst. Never again will my family be stuck with Cigna, or the Kaiser HMO (would go on the ACA before I would go with either of those).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:thanks for the update. I appreciate that their cost will not go up. Unfortunately, my child’s therapist does not accept Cigna (but does accept CareFirst). So my personal cost will go up, thanks mcps 🙄

Start working with the benefits team this Fall on how to get this provider in-network. Their comms says they are willing to do it, so use that process.

The therapist chooses not to work with Cigna because they are a difficult class company to work with from a provider standpoint. My kid’s pediatrician isn’t thrilled about the switch either.

Anonymous wrote:thanks for the update. I appreciate that their cost will not go up. Unfortunately, my child’s therapist does not accept Cigna (but does accept CareFirst). So my personal cost will go up, thanks mcps 🙄

Start working with the benefits team this Fall on how to get this provider in-network. Their comms says they are willing to do it, so use that process.

Anonymous wrote:I wish I found this reassuring, but I don't. There is simply zero chance that a health insurance giant in this day and age would give the same or better coverage for a lot less money. The difference will be extracted somewhere. I'm still very upset. And I would love to know what the general reaction has been. No one I have talked to is happy about this. Picking a time where everyone has been under incredible strain and they can't retain staff is just such a tone deaf time to make a huge change like this.

Would you rather pay significantly more next year in insurance rates? Plans are marketed in order to chase the best rates. CareFirst was undoubtedly heading down the path of huge price hike. It is a monumental change for an organization to change benefit plans, especially given the size of MCPS.

Also, it’s perfectly normal for the rates and benefit coverage to remain flat when going to a nee carrier. That’s the advantage to marketing plans, you want someone to come in offering you the world. Eventually, Cigna and Kaiser will come back with price increases too.

I wish I found this reassuring, but I don't. There is simply zero chance that a health insurance giant in this day and age would give the same or better coverage for a lot less money. The difference will be extracted somewhere. I'm still very upset. And I would love to know what the general reaction has been. No one I have talked to is happy about this. Picking a time where everyone has been under incredible strain and they can't retain staff is just such a tone deaf time to make a huge change like this.

thanks for the update. I appreciate that their cost will not go up. Unfortunately, my child’s therapist does not accept Cigna (but does accept CareFirst). So my personal cost will go up, thanks mcps 🙄

I keep seeing reference to dropping Carefirst in other threads, so I thought I'd share the update for everyone. While a change of insurance is unsettling, all three unions were involved in the decision, this is the more cost effective option, most healthcare providers are also with Cigna, and those that aren't Cigna is willing to work to add to the network.

Joint Communication from MCEA, MCAAP, and SEIU Local 500

Dear Member,

As you may have heard, effective January 1, 2023, MCPS will no longer offer CareFirst POS/HMO as a health insurance option. Instead, MCPS has made the decision to contract with Cigna and Kaiser to offer health insurance options to MCPS employees.  

This decision was made in consultation with the Joint Employee Benefits Committee (JEBC) which, in addition to MCPS representatives from the Employee Retiree Service Center (ERSC), is comprised of representatives from all three employee associations: Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP/MCBOA), and Service Employees International Union Local 500 (SEIU). This committee is tasked with reviewing Requests for Proposals and making selection recommendations associated with the employee benefits plans designated by the Board of Education. 

The employee associations and ERSC spent months reviewing health company contract proposals and met with each company to review their full proposals for health insurance. Through this process and after full review and careful consideration of all proposals, the JEBC unanimously recommended that MCPS contract with Cigna and Kaiser to provide health insurance to MCPS staff.  

The JEBC believes these two options offer the most robust and comprehensive healthcare benefits to all employees and the most responsible fiscal choice for the school district. Beyond the comprehensive benefits provided by Cigna, the cost savings are so significant that we anticipate no premium increases to employee health care coverage. Additionally, after careful review of provider acceptance data, we are confident that there will be minimal disruption to your in-network care options. Cigna covers more physicians in the DMV than CareFirst. Cigna is committed to working with MCPS to further expand their in-network options. 

Sincerely,

Jennifer Martin, President
Montgomery County Education Association

Dr. Christine Handy, President
Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals

Pia Morrison, President
Service Employees International Union Local 500

If you have any questions, please email mceapublicaffairs@mceanea.org.