Manor, Parkview-Heights workers get holiday gift

    Keeping employees at healthcare facilities has been a struggle in recent years.
    With recent federal government vaccine and mask mandates to deal with, insurance coverage also continues to be a headache.
    At the city-owned Imperial Manor and Parkview-Heights facilities, CEO Lynne West was facing health insurance policy increases of 36% for her employees.
    That sent her and business office manager Terri Spady looking for options.
    They were happy to report to the senior services board they found a self-funded plan through a broker that presented a plan for significant savings. He attended a Nov. 22 special board meeting.
    According to discussion at that meeting, “The Silver 300 plan (presented) is slightly better coverage for employees at a cost that is approximately $20 less per employee per month than the facility is currently paying” for its 75% share.
    Currently, Manor/Parkview-Heights pays 75% of the medical insurance premium for its full-time employees.
    With the new policy that goes into effect Jan. 1, West said they will start paying 100% of the full-time employees’ premiums. The facilities started advertising that benefit in recent weeks.
    West said any of the full-time employees are eligible. They can also take insurance for spouses and dependents at their own cost, she added.
    The new policy also reduces the deductible from $2,500 a year to $2,000, West added.
    If they can get a generic drug for medications, those will come at no cost. Elective procedures, if in network, will cost the employee nothing out-of-pocket, she said.
    The Manor and Parkview-Heights now have 38 full-time employees, but still short one RN and two CNAs, she said.
    Current employees welcomed the policy changes with no premiums they will be paying in the future, according to West.
    West said insurance was one of the things employees brought up shortly after she started as CEO this fall.
    “They were frustrated with their insurance expense and rates were rising,” West said.
    She feared had they not taken some action that it may have affected staff staying on, as well as their budget.
    “We’re glad we were able to make the change,” she said.
    West said there is beauty living in a small town, but there is also a limited pool of staff available.
    In addition to a better satisfied staff, West hopes the improved insurance benefit will also lead to more job applicants.
    City of Imperial employees also receive their full premiums paid for health insurance, both for the employee and dependents. Their self-funded plan has a $500 deductible, said Clerk/Administrator Jo Leyland.