BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MASSENA — The Village Board of Trustees is considering a change to the insurance plan offered to village employees and it just might save everyone money next year.

Zachary Zuckerman of USI Insurance Services recently presented new insurance plans to the board, highlighting the Excellus Bronze 4 PPO plan.

Under the terms of the plan, employees would see a $7,500 deductible for singles and $15,000 deductible for families. That deductible would be covered by the village, meaning no money will come out of the pocket of any employee.

As a result of the new plan, employees would also see zero copays.

That change alone will save employees and their families $150 for an emergency room visit, $25 for a walk-in visit, $25 per specialist visit and $15 per visit to a primary care physician.

Inpatient hospital stays would also be covered after the deductible is met, meaning a $500 copay is also saved.

Zuckerman also told the board that copays for prescription medications would be zero with the new plan, an expense that adds up quickly for some employees under the existing plan.

“Under this plan the average savings per employee could be up to $1,500 per year,” Zuckerman told the board.

“And with the change in plan, the village has the potential to save $200,000, maybe even $300,000,” he said.

In total, 119 employees would be on the plan, officials say.

Village officials hope the new plan will save not only the government money but families as well.

“It’s things like this we need to consider. We have to get creative and find ways to cut spending while also taking care of our employees the best way we can,” Deputy Mayor Matt LeBire said.

According to Zuckerman, the bronze plan is the cheapest option available and this is “the only chance to opt in.”

Officials appear poised to make the switch, though no official action was taken following the presentation.