MCG Group Insurance Contribution Increases to 80%

As previously announced, Montgomery County Government (MCG) increased its employer cost-sharing contribution from 75% to 80%. This applies to all group insurance plans except the Kaiser and UnitedHealthCare HMOs, since MCG already contributes 80% to these plans. The 80% employer / 20% employee rates will appear on paychecks dated July 29, 2022 as well as www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HI > Active Employees > Resources > Rates.

To view the new rates and your savings per paycheck, see the chart below and please note the following:

Life insurance rates: Basic Life Insurance and AD&D rates are not included in the chart below because rates vary per employee based on salary; also, Optional Life rates are not changing since employees pay 100% of the premiums.
10-month employees: The rates below apply to employees on 26 pay cycles; for 10-month employees rates (21 pay cycles), please click here .
Full-scope temporary employees: Since you pay 100% of your group insurance premiums, the 5% employer group insurance contribution increase does not apply.

Remaining 2022 Employee Rates (July 29 - December 31, 2022)	Current 2022 Rates Per Biweekly Paycheck			New 2022 Rates Per Biweekly Paycheck			Your Savings Per Biweekly Paycheck
	Self	Self + 1	Family	Self	Self + 1	Family	Self	Self + 1	Family
Medical
CareFirst High Option POS (medical only)	$79.23	$137.06	$230.78	$63.38	$109.64	$184.62	-$15.85	-$27.42	-$46.16
CareFirst Standard Option POS (medical only)	$73.68	$127.46	$214.62	$58.95	$101.97	$171.70	-$14.73	-$25.49	-$42.92
UnitedHealthcare HMO (medical only)	$51.88	$99.74	$158.56	$51.88	$99.74	$158.56	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Kaiser HMO (Rx included)	$60.23	$113.23	$178.28	$60.23	$113.23	$178.28	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Prescription
Caremark High Option $4/$8*	$113.39	$209.79	$325.11	$108.56	$200.86	$311.28	-$4.83	-$8.93	-$13.83
Caremark High Option $5/$10**	$111.00	$205.36	$318.24	$106.17	$196.43	$304.41	-$4.83	-$8.93	-$13.83
Caremark Standard Option $10/$20/$35	$24.13	$44.63	$69.16	$19.30	$35.70	$55.33	-$4.83	-$8.93	-$13.83
Dental
Dental PPO (Traditional Dental Plan)	$4.95	$11.03	$15.87	$3.96	$8.82	$12.70	-$0.99	-$2.21	-$3.17
Dental HMO (DHMO)	$1.61	$3.05	$4.46	$1.29	$2.44	$3.57	-$0.32	-$0.61	-$0.89
Vision
Vision Plan	$0.55	$0.87	$1.31	$0.44	$0.69	$1.05	-$0.11	-$0.18	-$0.26

*Only available to MCGEO and IAFF members who are County employees.
**Only available to FOP members, Non-Represented employees and retirees.

Frequently Asked Questions

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When do the new cost share and lower rates take effect?

The new rates and cost share apply to the first full pay cycle of FY23. You will see the new rates reflected on paychecks dated July 29, 2022 through January 13, 2023:

Pay Cycle	Paycheck Date
7/3 - 7/16/2022	7/29/2022
12/18 - 12/31/2022	1/13/2023

Will the rates change for the new plan year beginning January 1, 2023?

Rates often change at the beginning of each new plan year upon the insurance plan’s annual renewal. Although MCG’s employer contribution will remain 80% for FY2023, some plans may have future rate changes effective January 1, 2023. Any changes for 2023 will be communicated during this fall’s Open Enrollment period.

Can I make changes to my group insurance now?

This is not an opportunity to change plans; you can only do so if you experience a qualifying life event during the year (such as marriage, birth of a new child, etc.) or make changes during the annual Open Enrollment period. Open Enrollment for 2023 will take place this fall, and any changes you make will take effect January 1, 2023.

Why did my health insurance plan rates change?

Because MCG increased its contribution rates by 5% to most group insurance plans (except for those that already had the 80% MCG / 20% employee cost share).

Why didn't my health insurance plan rates change with the new increased County contribution?

If you participate in the Kaiser or UHC HMOs, your rates did not decrease as the County contribution for those plans was already 80% MCG /20% employee. Also, if you are a full-scope temporary employee, your rates will not be affected by the 5% employer group insurance contribution increase since you pay 100% of your group insurance premiums.

Does the change to the cost share contribution apply to retirees?

No, the change only applies to active employees. Upon retirement, retirees lock in a cost share that is based on their age at retirement, length of service, hire date and retirement code. To learn more, view slides 7-10 of the Planning to Retire Class Presentation.

MCG Group Insurance Contribution Increases to 80%

Frequently Asked Questions

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