Having received and reviewed the Lifematters AA benefit newsletter today, I'm a little puzzled. :blink: In the medical changes section under TWU represented it says "The Company will pay the first 5% of the 7.9% increase and the employee will cover the remainder of the increase, or 2.9%." In the illustration on the opposite page it quotes my POS contibution increased $25.50 a month from 2006 to 2007. Ironically that equals a 17% increase year to year. If, as it said, it only went up 2.9% or $4.33, why does my math say $25.50? :huh: :huh: Also, generics will go to 20% copay and namebrand 30% copay. Can't wait till the 1.5% increase in pay this spring.
Assuming you're asking a serious math question, here's the answer:
From the numbers you provided, your total medical premium for 2006 was $879.31/mo of which your share is $150/mo.
For 2007, the premium will increase by 7.9%, or $69.47/mo. AA has agreed to pick up 5% of it and the TWU agreed on your behalf that you'd pay the other 2.9%.
The company's 5% share is $43.97 and your 2.9% (calculated as 2.9% of the 2006 amount of $879.31) equals $25.50. Your monthly cost did indeed increase 17%, since you were paying only $150 of the $879.31 monthly premium.
Look at it this way: Say the monthly premium increased the same 7.9% but AA agreed to pay none of it; your monthly medical contribution would have increased by the entire $69.47, or 46%.
It sucks to have to pay a greater and greater share of your medical premiums each year - and it doesn't make it any easier just because nearly every company has adopted the "we'll split the increase with the employee" attitude. But that's what it's like nearly everywhere - and I'd bet even at Former ModerAAtor's new gig.
As for drug coverage - in a few months, that's not likely to matter once Wal Mart rolls out its $4 generic prescription program nationwide, which some articles say happens next year:
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Stor...p;siteId=google
If a generic prescription is less than a pack of smokes (except maybe on the reservations), then who cares what your drug coverage co-pay is?