Under the proposal, employees would pay $25 per pay period -$650 a year-for health coverage. The fee would rise to $30 per pay period-or $780 a year -in 2009.
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Co-payments to visit most specialists would double to $20 in 2009, but remain at $10 for regular office visits. Preventive care visits would continue to have no copay.
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Other provisions include:_Caps maximum out-of-pocket expenses for office visits at $500 per individual and $1,000 per family.
_ Caps maximum out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs at $500 per individual and $1,000 per family. Prescription copays would not change.
_ Increases the maximum dental benefit from $1,000 to $1,200 per year.
_ Adds adult orthodontia.
_ Eliminates the 20 percent copay on dental x-rays.
_ Covers state employees under Michelle’s Law, which ensures that seriously ill college students continue to receive coverage, even if they cannot maintain a full-time student status.
_ Increases sick leave credits at retirement.
_ Gives employees a right to request a flexible or alternative work schedule.
_ Allows employees to use up to 15 days of sick leave per year to care for a family member -an increase of 10 days.
The agreement also adds domestic partner benefits for state employees.
At least now when we hear how hard state workers work at doing things like burying hazardous waste in the ground, we know thay will be well compensated…