Despite rapidly
rising health care costs nationwide, state spending on health care
is projected to increase less than 1.5 percent for fiscal year 2004.
Prior to contract negotiations, DAS
and the Joint Health Care Committee, a joint committee consisting of representatives
from unions and management, explored ways to curtail health care cost increases
for the state and its employees during a time of double-digit health care
inflation.
As a result, the state was able to
negotiate rates with the health plans that
included changes to copays and coinsurance
amounts so that monthly premiums remain
relatively unchanged. To keep premiums stable,
employees pay more for prescription drugs and
covered services, such as office and hospital visits and lab work.
This portion of the DAS eNewsCenter is for Human Resources Division customers.
| This article was reprinted from the 2002-2003 DAS Biennial Report. |