MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Town of Myrtle Seashore is giving pre-65 retirees two choices for well being care protection beginning subsequent 12 months.
The retirees were previously told by city leaders they may discover higher, cheaper protection within the market and had been going to be faraway from the town’s well being plan. After many in the group of roughly 100 retirees complained that they had been being stripped of advantages promised to them by the town, leaders put collectively two choices.
Possibility A retains the retirees on their present plans with month-to-month premiums growing from $832 to $1,400. Possibility B would have retirees discover protection within the market and permit them to have entry to the town’s well being care clinic at a price of $112 monthly. Retirees would select to forgo each choices and discover non-public insurance coverage that matches their wants.
Town stated the adjustments are essential to keep away from elevating property taxes or decreasing metropolis companies to account for greater than $800,000 yearly that’s wanted to maintain the pre-65 retirees on the town’s plan.
“Town, at this level, declines to lift property taxes or to in any other case scale back companies to make up that $834,000 annual distinction between the precise price and what the town pays for our staff for medical health insurance,” spokesman Mark Kruea stated.
Martin Eells, a retired Myrtle Seashore firefighter, addressed council after the town’s presentation showcasing the 2 choices. He stated the premium improve in Possibility A makes it tough for many retirees to remain on the town’s plan.
“That $1,400 costs us out of insurance coverage,” Eells stated. “You wouldn’t have to lift any taxes. There’s a plan C, and I do know you assist it.”
Eells stated a 3rd choice needs to be the town sticking with its authentic protection plans.
“There’s a C plan, and that’s to take the true whole price, protecting us within the group insurance coverage, and never altering it,” Eells stated.
One other pre-65 retiree, Chris Collins, stated the town has not communicated nicely with the group of retirees.
“We had one assembly,” Collins stated. “No info was given again to us. I’ve emailed. I lastly received a reply again yesterday.”
Collins, a profession firefighter, additionally stated the adjustments would harm recruitment and retention of metropolis staff–particularly police and fireplace.
Town stated these choices aren’t more likely to change.
Retirees have till mid-January to enroll in the event that they select between the protection choices or to search out their very own insurance coverage plan.
