News from the Superintendent: August 6, 2008

August 5, 2008

Dear APS employees,

I am writing to inform you that the APS Board of Education this evening approved an average 6.9 percent increase in the cost of benefits for Albuquerque Public School employees.

Most employees will be paying an additional 7 percent for medical insurance and 7 percent more for dental insurance. Vision care coverage is not expected to increase in cost this year.

The health care package offers some additional benefits as well: employees will no longer have a co-pay for diabetic supplies; the comprehensive dental plan maximum will increase form $1,250 to $1,500; the orthodontia maximum will increase from $1,000 to $1,500; the benefit allowance for porcelain fillings will improve; and wellness program benefits for medical and disease management have been added.

The Board also agreed to pay 80 percent of health insurance costs for employees who earn less than $28,000 a year. Employees who earn $28,000 a year or more will continue to be responsible for 40 percent of costs.

Employees will likely see an increase in co-pay amounts. On average the co-pay for office visits to the primary care physician will increase from
$15 to $20; the in-patient hospital care co-pay will go from $250 to $500; and the out-patient surgery and emergency room co-pays will increase from
$75 to $100.

Employees whose benefits come out of their paychecks before taxes will experience less of an impact.

The increases are expected to go into effect Dec. 1. More information will be forthcoming. If you have questions, contact the APS Human Resources Department.

Sincerely,


Winston Brooks
APS Superintendent