New health plan could cost Collier County teachers thousands more

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — A new health insurance plan will bring higher out-of-pocket costs for Collier County teachers.

• SEE ALSO: Collier County schools face $42M deficit as Aug. 11 start approaches

For some teachers, the changes will mean thousands of dollars more in expenses. The biggest change is the deductible, which in some cases can increase by seven times the amount they're paying now.

Some teachers with individual coverage currently have a $500 deductible. Under the new plan, that could jump to $3,500.

For family coverage, the deductible is currently $1,000. Under the new plan, it will be $6,000.

Teachers will also have other out-of-pocket costs for things like doctor visits, prescriptions and hospital care. The district said it needed to make the change because its health care fund is under pressure.

Costs have nearly doubled since 2015, from $43 million to more than $86 million. The district points to soaring health care costs, declining enrollment and millions of dollars in budget deficits as the reason behind the proposed changes.

The president of the Collier County Education Association said teachers shouldn't have to absorb those costs.

"The responsibility of fixing this issue doesn't begin with the teachers; they are the authors and creators, so they need to fix it," said Kenneth Mouton, Collier County Education Association president. "It's not our responsibility to fix it. They need to find the money, and be even more fiscally responsible."

Open enrollment for the new plan is scheduled for October.