New Rates, New Programs for State Health Benefits Plan

New Rates, New Programs for State Health Benefits Plan

The New Jersey State Health Benefits Program has posted new rates, effective April 1, 2008, for local education employees and local government employees.

Rates and descriptions of the revamped SHBP programs are available online at the SHBP Web site (or go directly to the SHBP News page and scroll down to the "Local Active Groups Rates" section).

This year, SHBP will replace its Traditional Plan and the New Jersey Plus managed care program with two preferred provider organizations (PPOs): NJ Direct 10 and NJ Direct 15. Under NJ Direct 10, members will pay $10 per visit for in-network services or will receive 80-percent coverage for most out-of-network services after deductible. For NJ Direct 15, the comparable numbers are $15 per visit and 70-percent coverage.

In addition, the SHBP has reduced the number of HMO options available from five to two. The two HMO plans available in April 2008 will be Aetna HMO and CIGNA HealthCare.

More than a third of the state’s school districts provide employee health benefits through the SHBP, which is administered by the state Division of Pensions. For information about the new plans, rates, and their impact on employee contracts, contact NJSBA’s Labor Relations Department at (888) 886-5722, ext. 5219.