Thousands of Georgia teachers and state employees have come down with a serious case of sticker shock from their new health care plans since the start of the year.
To save big money, the state decided to go with a single company to manage the health care of 650,000 teachers, state employees, retirees and their dependents. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia took over the $3 billion program Jan. 1.
Since the switch, which is not related to the Affordable Care Act, state officials have gotten an earful from teachers and employees who are suddenly having to pay more for the same services they received under the old plan. They’re complaining about higher deductibles, new networks that don’t always include their old doctors and the elimination of copayments, which means they have to pay more upfront — sometimes a lot more — when they or their families seek treatment.
For Ashley Cline, whose husband is a high school science teacher in Cherokee County, the change means paying five times more for occupational therapy sessions for her 4-year-old daughter, who is developmentally delayed.
Under the old plan, Cline paid $25 — her copay — for each one-hour session. Now, she must pay $130 per session. The couple also has to pay a $2,000-per-person deductible before the insurance kicks in, and their monthly premium is about $80 more, too.
“We have to weigh the health and well-being of our kids against our pocketbook,” she said. And that’s “while we’re paying for insurance. It’s disgusting.”
Upset and frustrated by the changes, Cline on Jan. 2 launched a Facebook page for Georgia teachers to share their experiences and advice about the new plans. The site – Teachers Rally Against Georgia Insurance Changes, or TRAGIC – attracted more than 5,200 members in the first week.
via Teachers, state workers cry foul over new health plan | www.myajc.com.
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