HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB 2026-057 Approve revised Personnel Policy-Retiree's Benefit PlanMEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
September 14, 2026
TB Resolution 2026 - 057: Authorization to Offer Additional Health Insurance Plans Through SPANY and Approves the Revised Retiree’s Benefit Plan
Whereas, the Town provides a health insurance plan for Medicare eligible Retiree through the Greater Tompkins County Health Insurance Consortium (HC), titled Medicare Supplemental (MS)
plan and requires all retirees enrolled in Town insurance to change plans to the MS plan when they becomeMedicare eligible; and
Whereas, the HC does not offer a Medicare Advantage plan and discourages but allows member municipalities to consider other options to their Medicare eligible retirees; and
Whereas, thePersonnel & Organization Committee has reviewedthe opportunity to provide additional Medicare Advantage health insurance options through the Statewide Purchasing Alliance
of NY (SPANY) for Medicare eligible Retiree’s that does not require a minimum participation and would allow the Retirees to voluntarily decide which health insurance plan is best for
them;however,any Retiree that chooses to change plans to the SPANY plan would not be able to re-enroll in the MS plan through the HC in the future; and
Whereas, the Personnel & Organization committee discussed that cost savings to the employer and retiree if a retiree chooses to enroll in a SPANY plan is sufficient to allow any retiree
that has left coverage under the Town since January 1, 2025, to have a one-time option to re-enroll with Town provided health insurance, with the previous sick-time and cost-share arrangements
restored; and
Whereas, the Personnel & Organization committee reviewed plans available through SPANY and are recommending offering Medicare Advantage PPO plans labeled Plan 1 and Plan 3; now, therefore
be it
Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby authorizeoffering to all Medicare eligible retirees, on a voluntarily basis,the SPANY Medicare Advantage PPO plans labeled
Plan 1 and Plan 3 effective January 1, 2027, as an addition option to the current HC Medicare Supplemental plan, with the current sick-time and cost-share arrangements; and be it further
Resolved, that the Town authorizes any retiree that has terminated coverage under the Town since January 1, 2025, will be provided a one-time option to re-enroll with Town provided health
insurance for January 1, 2027, but with a SPANY Medicare Advantage PPO plan only, with the previous sick-time and cost-share arrangements restored; and be it further
Resolved, the Town Board approves effective immediately the revised Retiree’s Benefit Plan personnel policyto replace the current policies in the Personnel Manual.
Moved: Rod HoweSeconded: Diana Sinton
Vote: ayes – Howe, Sinton, DePaolo, Levine, McCune and Bleiwas