Medical & Dental Benefits

This page will typically contain information relevant to changes in Multnomah County employees’ health benefits. The information below applies to changes made to our benefits effective January 1, 2009.

Question: I have ODS insurance. Will I be able to use a Nurse Practioner for routine physicals?
Answer: Yes. You will have the same options as before with the additional option of a Naturopathic Doctor (ND).

Question: May I select any Naturopathic Doctor?
Answer: To get the Preferred Provider rate of coverage, you must select a Naturopathic Doctor from the ODS list. Currently there are few Naturopathic Doctors who are on the Legacy System; most ND signed up with the Providence Preferred Provider list; contact ODS directly to confirm prior to making your selection.

Question: Will my deductible carry over from?
Answer: No, you will have a new deductible start January 1, 2009.

Question: Will there be changes to acupuncture coverage?
Answer: No, acupuncture coverage will be the same as it is currently.

Question: Will there be any changes in VEBA?
Answer: No, currently, Local 88 has a VEBA plan that was funded by the Employee Benefits Board or EBB. The EBB no longer exists and the money that was available to help fund a VEBA was used to keep our premiums low over the past 18 months. A more detailed explaination about VEBA will be prepared and posted to the web site soon.

Right-To-Tweet-For-Workers #superbowledition February 3, 2012
Days before the Super Bowl – a game played by union members, with a halftime show performed by union members, with commercials created by union members, in a stadium built by union members – Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels made Indiana a right-to-work-for-less state. Not only is the bill he signed unjust and unfair to union workers, it will also lower wages, redu […]
Volunteer Member Organizers Head Out in Tulsa, Okla. February 2, 2012
AFSCME Local 1180 members prepare to do house calls as part of their VMO training to reach out to fellow co-workers and have a greater voice on the job. (Photo by Aisha Salleh) It’s intimidating knocking on someone’s door and asking them to join a union. Even knowing it’s a co-worker may not calm the jitters. But when you begin to explain that there is power […]
N.H. Gov. Lynch Stands Up for Public Employees February 2, 2012
In his final State of the State address this week, New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch drew loud applause when he praised the work of the state’s public service employees and vowed to block any attempts to strip workers of their collective bargaining rights. “Sadly, it has become too commonplace to attack public employees,” Lynch said. “And that needs to stop.” Wa […]
Indiana Workers Speak Out Against ‘Right-to-Work-for-Less’ Bill February 1, 2012
William Tandy Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has just signed legislation that will make his state the first in years to enact right-to-work-for-less legislation. It’s a shame he didn’t consider the views of those who will be impacted by the legislation. Take William Tandy, for instance. A Richmond Street Department employee and member of Local 1791 (AFSCME Counc […]
S.D. Workers’ Collective Bargaining Rights Safe – For Now January 31, 2012
South Dakota state Sen. Stan Adelstein (R-Rapid City), chief sponsor of a bill banning collective bargaining for public employees, had a change of heart after meeting last Saturday with public service workers, including members of AFSCME Council 59. “Conversations with friends and supporters on both sides of the aisle have persuaded me that the proposed legi […]
Florida Public Safety for Sale January 31, 2012
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Monday, Florida state Sen. Mike Fasano (a Republican) came out in opposition to Senate Bill 2038, the prison privatization bill, on The Dylan Ratigan Show on MSNBC. Fasano was fiercely critical of his colleagues, calling attention to the bill currently rammed through the committee process. Additionally, he highlighted the loss of nearl […]
New Campaign Highlights Real Impact of Working Americans January 30, 2012
Ever wonder if what you do for a living has any real meaning to anyone else? A new television spot airing in several cities across the country shows the connection working Americans have to each other, a message that resonates in so many states and cities with politicians who blame the working middle class for the current economic crisis. With evocative word […]

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