EVERETT — I learned that dozens of retirees will lose access to health insurance as the Snohomish Health District and Snohomish County merger is finalized.
In the past few weeks, several former health district employees have contacted The Daily Herald to learn that access to quality health benefits will be cut off through the state’s Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB) in 2023. I got
The health district ceased to exist on Jan. 1, according to district spokesperson Cali Bray, and 65 retirees are unable to stay on the PEBB plan because the county has no contract with PEBB. , a replacement plan, you can choose to purchase Medicare if you qualify, or pay more for COBRA for up to 18 months.
The district health board voted to merge with the county on May 31, and the county legislature voted to approve the merger on June 8.
Health officials sent letters to retirees on November 16 and November 22, informing them of the changes and options. The district sent the retiree his first letter on his November 22nd, two days before Thanksgiving.
Amy Blanchard faces major surgery next year and finds the prospect of changing her health plan “very stressful”. I worked in the district for 27 years until I retired in 2008.
She was so shocked to receive the letter that she contacted multiple state officials to confirm it was not a scam.
“I didn’t think they could do it,” she said. This meant removing retirees from health insurance. “I had a[health]problem, so I wasn’t going to quit,” she said.
Blanchard downgrades to a cheaper plan and stays on COBRA, which is too expensive for the long term, but gives him time to find better options. She thinks the county and district could have done something to continue the health benefits.
“Yes,” said Blanchard.
Snohomish County spokesperson Kent Patton said staff had investigated whether the county could continue reporting.
“A lot of people spent a lot of time trying to figure out what options they had here,” says Patton. “Can we make something work? These are 65 people who have served their communities, saved lives, and kept people healthy. It’s an option worth considering.”
Ultimately, qualifying district retirees as county retirees is an illegal “gift of public funds.” The district and county Joint Integrated Policy Group reached its conclusion by at least September 23rd.
After that day’s meeting, the county was to work with PEBB to draft a letter and develop a “game plan,” according to the meeting agenda.
A spokesperson for the medical authority wrote: “HCA is not aware of the employer group’s retiree notification requirement if the employer group stops purchasing benefits through his PEBB program.”
The district told The Herald that it is not responsible for notifying retirees of pending changes, saying that because it oversees PEBB, the Department of Health Care has that responsibility. added that it has not subsidized the project. In fact, retirees admit that some plans were prohibitively expensive. But they felt it was worth it for the quality.
Debbie Riehl worked as a nurse in the district for 11 years and retired in 2015. She also worked in King County before that.
“My heart sank when I opened the letter[from the district]because I didn’t know what it meant,” said Riehl. “I felt panic.”
She felt better after reading the information and realized she could afford to stay with COBRA for a while. She believes she will be paying $660 a month for her own Medicare supplement plan through her PEBB. It’s expensive, but it’s a quality plan that she knows well.
Riehl worries that “many people are suffering” financially.
“I still think it’s kind of a low hit,” she said. was.”
Some retirees expressed concerns about their pension benefits, but they were not affected, Bray said. Very disappointing” and a “strange space”.
In the complex world of Medicare and health replacement plans, Riehl isn’t the only retiree confused, neglected, and forced to quickly leave on his own.
Jane, who asked not to publish her last name, worked in the state and then in the district for a total of almost 28 years. For a week she spent 12 hours a day taking crash courses in Medicare Her Advantage, Medigap, and Part D Plans, which she called “a terrible nightmare.” Told. She said retirees have far too little time to educate themselves during the holiday season.
“I’m not a stupid person,” said Jane. “I can’t imagine (many) retirees and their stories. What an impact they’ve had on people of different stages of mental capacity and ability and resources to make this big decision.” I can’t imagine what you gave me, depending on when you receive the letter.
She feels like the district has thrown them under the bus.
The county is currently seeking to support district human resources teams answering calls from retirees and assisting with health insurance procedures.
The Snohomish County Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to bring the current employees of the health district to the county government with the same pay, leave and paid vacation as they do now. It was the last formal step towards the launch of the Snohomish County Health Department today.
Bray added: We are deeply grateful for their years of service in keeping the people of Snohomish County safe and healthy. ”
Joy Boukholder is a health and wellness reporter for The Daily Herald. Her work is supported by the Health Reporting Initiative, which is sponsored in part by the Premera Blue Cross. The Daily Herald maintains editorial control of content produced through this initiative.
Joy Borkholder: 425-339-3430; joy.borkholder@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @jlbinvestigates.
