SEBC also rejected a vote to continue the enhanced COVID-19 benefits. That means employees will pay pre-COVID-19 costs for services such as primary care visits, hospitalizations, and telemedicine.
The State Employee Benefits Commission has authorized Highmark Delaware to administer a two-year retiree Medicare supplement plan effective January 1, 2025. This includes an optional one-year extension for him. The state was sued by some retirees about two years ago after the State Employee Benefits Board tried to transfer 25,000 retirees to Medicare Advantage plans through Highmark. . Those angry about the planned changes formed the advocacy group RiseDelaware and have so far successfully sued the state to block implementation.
Sean O'Brien, policy director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, voted against it. The News asked O'Brien why he didn't vote, but he did not respond.
State Rep. Paul Baumbach (D-Newark) said he attended the meeting virtually to confirm the committee's vendor selection.
“There is so much mistrust as to whether SEBC can be trusted,” he said. “Frankly, retirees felt cheated and felt that SEBC was behind the scenes taking away the Medicare Supplement and introducing Medicare Advantage, which was something else entirely. I wanted to make sure that SEBC is doing what they told us to do and what we've been advocating for, but it's no longer Medicare Advantage, and this cycle it's certainly our Throw in the same kind of Medicare supplement that retirees receive. They're used to it. And that's done.”
Baumbach said the commission lacks transparency. He said he is sponsoring two bills aimed at making the commission more open and accountable.
SEBC approved changes required by law to ensure there are no disparities in access to care for people with mental health and substance abuse disorders and those in need of medical care. The plan changes affected Aetna CDH Gold, Aetna HMO, and Highmark Comprehensive PPO.
Committee members also approved wigs and mastectomy bras as enhancing benefits for women, but not cooling caps.
The total cost to the state of changing employee health plans was estimated to be between $507,000 and $557,000.
