Submitted by Guest State Employee (not verified) on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 2:54pm.
To Taxpayer... we are in agreement on the smoker / obese issue - I don't think the State should discontinue the recent 'wellness' practice requiring them (smokers/obese)to be in a lower (70/30) plan & not eligible for the 80/20 plan. I do, however, disagree on employers cost sharing the dependent premiums when you state "rare", while it may not be the overwhelming majority of employers who provide this benefit -especially smaller employer, many do still offer it - though are shifting the cost sharing percentages. I'm looking at a NC survey of nearly 700 employers which shows employers pay 55% (on average) of dependent premiums and in a 2009 Kaiser Family Foundation national survey "on average", covered workers contribute 17% of the total premium for single coverage & 27% for family coverage."
arguing same point
To Taxpayer... we are in agreement on the smoker / obese issue - I don't think the State should discontinue the recent 'wellness' practice requiring them (smokers/obese)to be in a lower (70/30) plan & not eligible for the 80/20 plan. I do, however, disagree on employers cost sharing the dependent premiums when you state "rare", while it may not be the overwhelming majority of employers who provide this benefit -especially smaller employer, many do still offer it - though are shifting the cost sharing percentages. I'm looking at a NC survey of nearly 700 employers which shows employers pay 55% (on average) of dependent premiums and in a 2009 Kaiser Family Foundation national survey "on average", covered workers contribute 17% of the total premium for single coverage & 27% for family coverage."