Springfield seeking to change employee health plan to cut costs

Changes could be coming to city of Springfield employees’ health care plans, including higher deductibles for one plan and the elimination of prescription-only coverage for retirees.

In return, the approximately 4,500 workers and their family members covered by city insurance could have access to wellness programs and urgent care visits at a city-sponsored clinic.

The package of changes proposed to the Springfield City Council is an attempt to control growing health care costs for both employees and the city, said city budget director Bill McCarty. The aldermen are set to discuss the plan at Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting.

The 12-member Joint Labor/Management Committee, which includes city management and union representatives, has been negotiating the coverage changes.

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