Lansing approves benefits changes

Aug 9, 2011 - LSJ

The Lansing City Council on Monday approved changes to health care plans of 12 senior city administration employees. The base health care plan for department heads and Mayor Virg Bernero's staff members, including city Finance Director Jerry Ambrose and Bernero's Executive Assistant Randy Hannan, will change from Blue Cross Blue Shield Community Blue Plan to Physicians Health Plan. The vote was 5-0, with council members Eric Hewitt, Derrick Quinney and Jessica Yorko absent.

The employees' premium share will remain at 5 percent, but those who want to enroll in the Blue Cross plan will have to pay the difference on their own. Ambrose said their contribution is anticipated to increase to 20 percent if pending state legislation requires public employees to do so.

Ambrose said the changes reflect a savings of $28,000, or roughly 14 percent. Some city bargaining groups also recently made concessions in health care in an attempt to avoid layoffs.