PPOA Executive Director
wquint@ppoa.com
On September 10, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted the new Choices medical/dental premiums and life insurance rates for next year, beginning January 1, 2025.
PPOA recently sent an email to all active members advising of the sad reality there would once again be increases to the Choices’ medical and dental insurance plans.
Hopefully, all active members followed PPOA’s respectful request to thoroughly review the open enrollment packet. As many of you are aware, medical and dental plan rates for employees across the state and nation continue to increase. Los Angeles County is no exception. The new 2025 medical plan rates for County employees will be subject to an average increase of 8.2%, which is a reduction (2.2%) from the 10.4% average increase for 2024 medical plan rates.
All active PPOA members should have received the open enrollment packet in the mail for the Choices health benefit plans. You have the entire month of October (1–31) to make any changes to your current insurance coverage. If you choose not to make insurance changes during open enrollment, your current insurance coverage will roll over into 2025.
So, if you do not want to change anything, no action is needed. But if you do want to make changes, you must do so by October 31. If you have not received your Choices packet, log on to mylacountybenefits.com and go to Library > Plan Information > Annual Enrollment Benefits Materials.
Please be advised that open enrollment can only be completed online using a computer, tablet or smartphone. The County continues to make improvements to its website to assist you in a smooth and easier enrollment platform experience. There will be electronic devices such as calculators and videos that will assist members in understanding their benefits and how to receive the maximum utilization of them throughout the year. If you have unanswered questions or need additional assistance, the benefits hotline number is (213) 388-9982, and there are extended hours during open enrollment — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The County gives you a monthly benefits allowance to spend on benefits. If the cost of your benefits is less than your allowance, up to $244 of the unused amount, known as “taxable cash,” is added to your monthly paycheck. The 2% negotiated County contribution increase for plan year 2025 will result in an increase from $1,126 to $1,149 for an employee only; $2,005 to $2,096 for an employee plus one; and $2,428 to 2,476 for an employee plus two or more.
Unfortunately, the County contribution increase for 2025 will not come close to offsetting the majority of medical premium increases. PPOA members will have this additional 2% County contribution to use during the October 2024 open enrollment for their plan year 2025, which will become effective January 1, 2025.
The current 2022–25 Fringe Benefits Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which is negotiated by the Coalition of County Unions (CCU), AFL-CIO, expires on March 31, 2025. PPOA is one of the 15 affiliate unions of the CCU and will have a designated seat at the CCU fringe benefits bargaining table when negotiations begin for a successor MOU.
The CCU chair, who is elected by the unions affiliated with the CCU, is the chief negotiator for the CCU fringe benefits bargaining team, which negotiates with County management to determine:
- The County’s financial contribution to the Choices plan (medical, dental, etc.)
- The County’s match to our Horizons plan (deferred compensation plan)
- Paid time off (County holidays, vacation days, sick days, injury leave and bereavement leave)
- Bilingual pay (all departments)
- Civic Center parking allowance
- Other provisions of the CCU-MOU
The Choices plan will be continued through December 31, 2025. Included below are two charts that provide specific information on all Choices medical and dental plans, including current 2024 rates, new 2025 rates and the percentage increases.
PPOA is proud and grateful to be a CCU partner and is appreciative of the collaborative effort that will definitely occur when a new contract is negotiated, which results in a fair and equitable Fringe Benefits MOU. Here’s to CCU solidarity!
