Changes Slated For State Worker Health Insurance
October 11, 2017
As many as 2,000 obese state employees who suffer from conditions such as diabetes or hypertension can enroll online for a program that provides coverage for treatment and management of obesity and related conditions.
The offering is one of a number of changes legislators authorized to the state group health-insurance plan during the 2017 session. Available to employees who were enrolled in Aetna, AvMed, Florida Blue or UnitedHealthcare plans in 2017, the benefit is available for 2018.
Tami Fillyaw, director of the Division of State Group Insurance in the Department of Management Services, appeared Tuesday before the House Health & Human Services Committee and the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee to update lawmakers on steps the department has taken to retool the health-insurance program, which, as of June 30, provided benefits to more than 367,000 state employees, spouses and dependents.
Fillyaw told lawmakers that the state inked a contract last week with the independent benefits consultant Foster & Foster to meet requirements of the bill approved during the 2017 session. Among other things the consultants will analyze the state group plan, compare its benefits to that of other large employers and submit a report to the Legislature by Dec. 1.
Foster & Foster also will assist the state as it moves forward with two new health-care offerings that will be made available in the 2019 plan year: an online tool to shop and compare the quality of available in-network providers; and a service that offers employees access to comprehensive pricing for surgery and other medical procedures.
Both of those benefits also will include a “shared savings program,” where employees can receive a portion of any savings attributable to their health-care choices.
Fillyaw said employees’ shared savings will be deposited into flexible savings accounts, health savings accounts or health reimbursement accounts (which would be a new benefit offering) or could be used for out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Fillyaw said the state has met with potential vendors interested in both initiatives and issued requests for information about the potential services. She said the state will issue invitations to negotiate in January and hopes to have signed agreements with vendors by April. “Ideally,” she said, the offerings can be in place for the 2019 benefit year.
As part of an overall budget agreement that included pay raises for state employees and changes to the Florida Retirement System, the Legislature during the 2017 session agreed to pass SB 7022, which directed the Department of Management Services to begin offering state employees a variety of health plans.
Currently, employees have access to HMO coverage, PPO coverage and a high-deductible health plan.
One of the biggest changes will take place in 2020 when the Department of Management Services offers access to four different levels of insurance: platinum, gold, silver and bronze. The plans will have different actuarial values — ranging from a high of 90 percent, meaning the policy will cover 90 percent of health-care costs — to a low of 60 percent.
The higher the actuarial value of the plan, the more it will cost. If an employee chooses a health plan that costs less than what the state contributes in premium, the employee can request that the difference be directed toward other benefits or to salary.
While the legislation was not touted as a cost-saving measure, expenses in the state group health insurance are a growing concern for lawmakers. State economists say the trust fund that pays the costs of the program will have a $357.3 million deficit by June 30, 2019.
Helping drive the costs increase, Fillyaw told lawmakers Tuesday, are prescription drugs.
Fillyaw said that regardless of the plan, all employees are enrolled in the state’s self-insured prescription drug program. Pharmacy costs for state employees are projected to be $693.1 million this year, a jump of more than $81 million from the previous year’s spending.
To help curb the costs, the Department of Management Services will ask the Legislature to consider changes to the pharmacy program.
“Prescription drug spend is the most unpredictable cost driver in our program,” Fillyaw told lawmakers, adding that there are formulary-management programs in 18 state-employee health insurance programs across the country.
by Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida
Driver Injured In Crash At Lake Stone Campground
October 10, 2017
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash at Lake Stone near Century Tuesday morning.
The driver of A Nissan Xterra was traveling on West Highway 4 when they ran off the roadway, ran through a wooden fence around the Lake Stone campground and struck a pine tree just inside the park.
Minor extrication was needed to free the driver from the vehicle. They were transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with non -life threatening injuries.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
County Cuts Direct Century Chamber Funding
October 10, 2017
Escambia County has signed off on an interlocal agreement with the the Town of Century that drastically changes how economic development dollars are allocated in Century,
During the previous fiscal year that ended September 30, the county provided a $55,000 allocation to the Century Area Chamber, up from $40,000 in previous years. That amounted to 97 percent of the chamber’s total funding and provided a $40,00o per year salary for an economic development coordinator, according to documents submitted by the chamber to the county.
With final budget approval, Escambia County has still allocated $55,000 in funding for economic development in the Century area, not just within town limits. Ideas and funding requests will be submitted by the Century Chamber of Commerce, the Century Town Council and any other group to District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry. The requests will be heard by the entire commission for approval.
No more than 10 percent of the funds can be used for daily operational expenses, and none of the county money can be used for salaries, benefits or administrative costs.
Instead. the funds can be used to cover the costs associated with implementing economic development initiatives, and programs and services to attract and recruit new businesses to the area.
The Century Town Council must still approve the interlocal agreement.
Partly Sunny, Chance Of A Shower Today
October 10, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Couple Seeks Return Of Stolen Cameras With Baby Videos
October 10, 2017
An Escambia County couple is hoping a thief will have a change of heart and return cameras — or at least memory cards — that contain irreplaceable family videos.
Sunday night or early Monday morning, someone stole both a Canon EOS Rebel T3i camera with a “stock” Canon 18-55mm lens (example above) and a Canon Vixia video camera from a vehicle on Chicago Avenue, not far from Pine Forest High School. Both cameras were in the same bag as their chargers.
The video camera contained videos taken since the birth of the couple’s youngest child.
“While we would love to catch whoever did it, we really would just love to have our memory cards back. We can replace the cameras, but we can’t replace my baby’s first Christmas, first birthday party, first steps,” the woman said. “I think the guy has no heart… but if he does, he can even just leave them on our sidewalk or porch if he wants.”
Anyone with additional information can also call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
October 10, 2017
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of October 9-13:
Tuesday, Oct. 10
TPO Technical Coordinating Committee – 8:30 a.m., 222 W. Main St. (Agenda)
TPO Citizens’ Advisory Committee – 10:30 a.m., 222 W. Main St. (Agenda)
CANCELED: Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate
Merit System Protection Board – 5 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor Training Room
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority – 5 p.m., 700 S. Palafox St.
District 1 Town Hall – 6 p.m., Myrtle Grove Elementary School, 615 Lillian Highway
Wednesday, Oct. 11
Contractor Competency Board – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers, 1st Floor (Agenda)
Transportation Planning Organization – 9 a.m., 1320 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze (Agenda)
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Thursday, Oct. 12
Committee of the Whole – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers, 1st Floor
Sick Leave Pool Committee – 11 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Human Resources Department, 2nd Floor
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Entries Still Being Accepted For Friday’s Northview Homecoming Parade
October 10, 2017
Entries are still being accepted for the Northview High School Homecoming Parade this Friday, October 13.
The parade will line up at 12:30 p.m. and travel from Bratt Elementary School to Northview High. Entries are being accepted now; there is no cost to enter. For a printable entry form, click here. Entries are due by October 10.
Contact Perry Byars at (850) 327-6681 ext. 248 or email pbyars@escambia.k12.fl.us for more information.
The Northview Homecoming Meal to benefit the Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship Fund will be a BBQ plate with a pulled pork sandwich, chips, cookies and a drink for $7. The meal will be available beginning at 10 a.m. Friday at the football stadium concession stand.. Served by the Northview High School FFA Alumni.
The Northview Chief’s homecoming game will kickoff at 7 p.m. on October 13 against the Catholic Crusaders.
Pictured: The 2016 Northview High Homecoming Parade in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
“Bump Stock’ Ban Proposed In Florida After Vegas Shootings
October 10, 2017
Little more than a week after a massacre in Las Vegas, a Florida state senator Monday proposed banning devices — known as “bump stocks” — that can be used to increase the rate of firing bullets from semi-automatic weapons.
Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, filed the bill for consideration during the 2018 legislative session, which starts in January.
Bump stocks have drawn widespread attention since Stephen Paddock fired guns Oct. 1 from a window at the Mandalay Bay resort in Las Vegas, killing 58 people and injuring hundreds of others who had gathered for a country-music concert.
Paddock, who also killed himself, had modified weapons to make them fire more rapidly.
Stewart’s bill would ban the possession and sale of bump stocks in Florida.
by The News Service of Florida.
Stock photo.
BOCC Approves New Street ‘Mossy Oak Drive’ In Molino
October 10, 2017
The Escambia County Commission recently approved a new street name for a private road in Molino.
They approved the street name “Mossy Oak Drive,” for a private road running east off of the 5500 block of North Highway 29 and 140 feet south of Chance Road. Otto Wallace, the only property owner impacted, signed a petition requesting the street name.
The road naming will cost the county $446.90 for a new street sign.
Lawmakers Seek To Streamline Kidcare
October 10, 2017
A Florida Senate committee approved a bill Monday that would streamline a state children’s health insurance program, even though Congress has yet to reauthorize funding for the program.
The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee unanimously approved the proposal (SB 108), which would create a 12-member task force in in the Florida Department of Health and charge it with making legislative recommendations by Dec. 31, 2018, on how to streamline and improve the Florida KidCare program.
The “point of this bill is to simplify the program for families and to streamline the administration and make it more efficient and save tax dollars,” bill sponsor Daphne Campbell, D-Miami, told members of the committee.
Longtime social-services advocate Karen Woodall for years has advocated streamlining KidCare, which is administered by a combination of state agencies, from the Department of Children and Families, which determines Medicaid eligibility, to the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation, which receives all KidCare applications and determines eligibility for the children’s health- insurance program.
“Oftentimes, when you have multiple agencies, no matter how good you are, you lose kids between the programs,” Woodall told committee members as she testified in support of the bill, which cleared the committee unanimously.
The committee took up the bill during its first meeting in preparation for the 2018 legislative session, which starts in January. The measure would need to clear two more committees before it could go to the full Senate.
The Legislature created the KidCare Program in response to the federal enactment of the Children’s Health Insurance Program in 1997. That program, commonly known as CHIP, provides subsidized health insurance to uninsured children who do not qualify for Medicaid but who have family incomes under 200 percent of the federal poverty level and meet other eligibility criteria.
CHIP is currently authorized through 2019, but funding for the program expired Sept. 30.
Florida’s CHIP allocation in fiscal year 2017-18 is $422.7 million, of which $16.9 million is state funds.
Children covered under the program could be at risk if Congress doesn’t agree to additional funding. Woodall, though, is optimistic that won’t happen.
“I believe there is an awful lot of bipartisan support for this,” she said.
Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Chairman Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, said he is going to write a letter this week to members of Congress urging them to continue funding for the program.
by Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida