PPOA Executive Director
wquint@ppoa.com
On September 13, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted the new Choices medical/dental premiums and life insurance rates for next year, beginning January 1, 2024. On September 15 and September 29, PPOA blasted an email notification (conta.cc/46x000f) to all active members, advising of significant increases to the Choices’ medical and dental insurance plans.
Hopefully, all our active members followed PPOA’s respectful request of thoroughly reviewing the open enrollment packet, which, by now, should be in your possession. As many of you are aware, medical and dental plan rates for employees across the state and nation are increasing. Los Angeles County is no exception. In fact, the new 2024 medical plan rates for County employees will be subject to an average increase of 10.4% more than 2023 rates.
You have the entire month of October (1–31) to make any changes to your current insurance coverages. If you choose not to make insurance changes during open enrollment, your current insurance coverages will roll over into 2024. So, if you don’t 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 the telephone enrollment system is no longer available. Beginning this year, enrollment can only be completed online using a computer, tablet or smartphone. The County has advised that they have made many improvements to their website this year, making it easier to use and enroll. There will be tools like calculators and videos that will help members understand their benefits and how to use 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 2.5% negotiated County contribution increase for plan year 2024 will result in an increase from $1,099 to $1,126 for an employee only; $2,005 to $2,055 for an employee plus one; and $2,369 to $2,428 for an employee plus two or more. Unfortunately, the County contribution increase will not come close to offsetting the majority of medical premium increases. PPOA members will have this additional 2.5% County contribution to use during the October 2023 open enrollment for their plan year 2024, which will become effective January 1, 2024.
DEPUTY RYAN CLINKUNBROOMER
(EOW: 09/16/2023)
In closing, PPOA is grateful to Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger for publicly honoring Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Clinkunbroomer during adjournments at the September 26 Board of Supervisors meeting. The following is a transcript of her comments:
“On Saturday, September 16, I was heartbroken to learn of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer’s murder. The 30-year-old sheriff’s deputy’s life was taken from him as he was sitting in his patrol car just outside the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.
“Ryan, a Santa Clarita native and fourth-generation law enforcement officer — his great-grandfather, his grandfather, his father and his mother all served the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department — served nobly for eight years, including his assignment at the Palmdale Station since July 2018. He was a field training officer, investing in the next generation of deputies — a position reserved for the most dedicated and caring of our law enforcement officers.
“In the days since his passing, his loved ones, fellow brothers and sisters in uniform and community members have shared stories about Ryan’s selflessness, kindness, commitment to service and pride in his work.
“He was a beloved son, brother, grandson, fiancé and friend. Ryan had a bright future ahead of him, with a long career in law enforcement in store and a beautiful life with his fiancée, Brittany, planned, as he’d just proposed a few days earlier. Ryan’s life was cut too short, and there is no way to ease the pain of his loss. Ryan is survived by his fiancée, Brittany Lindsey, his parents, Michael and Kim Eztel Clinkunbroomer, his two siblings and his grandparents.
“May Deputy Clinkunbroomer rest in peace, and may his legacy of service and sacrifice reaffirm our commitment to support our law enforcement officers and inspire our communities.”