Average state health plans rise in cost

State employees will face steeper costs for health insurance next year overall, but the most-popular plan will drop in costs, as will some others.

The enrollment period for state workers opened last week and lasts until Nov. 30, during which time employees can change their medical and dental plans.

Any changes will take effect Jan. 1.

“There’s not much in the way of changes. There’s a little bit of an increase,” said Dave Wasser, spokesman for the Health Care Authority, which oversees the plans.

The average employee will pay $91 a month in 2009, up $12 from last year, the agency said. On average, employees pay 12 percent of their coverage.

The single most-popular plan, the state-run Uniform Medical Plan, actually will drop slightly in cost next year. The plan – among the cheapest offered – accounts for about half of the public employees covered through state plans, including half of the roughly 50,000 public workers in Thurston County.

Also notable is the lack of major plan changes, which have occurred in the past few enrollment periods.

“In years past, we have had people jump around from doctor to doctor. We’ve made a conscious effort to have more stability,” Wasser said.

In 2006, the Public Employees Benefits Board introduced value plans. The high-deductible, low-premium plans cost workers half as much each month, in exchange for the possibility of paying twice as much out of pocket.

Last year, about 3,200 Thurston County residents had to switch their health insurance because two of the most-expensive plans, Community Health Plan and Regence Classic, were replaced by an Aetna-managed offering.

No new plans are offered this year, nor have any been eliminated. More changes could be in store in 2010, however. The Health Care Authority is considering sending management of Uniform Medical Plan to a private company that year.

A private administrator could offer more education on health issues, Wasser said.