By Terry Date
Staff writer
June 25, 2008 05:55 am WINDHAM — Selectmen have more than doubled the stipend paid to those who opt out of the town's health insurance plan, a strategy geared toward saving the town money. The stipend option would likely be of interest to those who have coverage under a spouse's plan, Town Administrator Dave Sullivan said. The payment increase is intended to encourage more employees to sign up for the stipend and waive the town's coverage, he said. On an annual basis, those who waive an individual plan would receive $2,500, and those who waive a family plan would receive $5,000. The stipend is paid out on a monthly basis. "I think it may entice people," Sullivan told the selectmen Monday night. If just one person waives a family plan policy, the town could save as much as $13,000 a year, Sullivan said, illustrating the potential savings. Only two employees now receive the stipend, but 15 or 16 town employees are eligible — department heads among them, Sullivan said. The new offer, like the old one, is extended solely to nonunion employees. But in the future, it also could be extended to union employees should it be made part of a collective-bargaining agreement, Sullivan said. The increase approved by the selectmen boosts the stipend from $75 to $208 a month for individual plans, and from $75 to $416 a month for family plans. The stipend has been at $75 for about 10 years. The increase reflects the increase in the cost of health insurance, Sullivan said. Selectmen's Vice Chairman Bruce Breton said the additional dollars may give some employees covered under a spouse's plan reason to consider opting for the stipend. The last time the town surveyed how many of its employees had dual coverage — the town plan and coverage under a spouse's plan — was two years ago, Sullivan said. At the time, there were 13 people. Selectmen made the change on Monday by amending the town's personnel policy.
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