Article

2013-07-12 Economy

Wegmans cuts health benefits for part-time workers

[BUFFALONEWS] Et tu, Wegmans?

The Rochester-based grocer that has been continually lauded for providing health insurance to its part-time workers will no longer offer that benefit.

Until recently, the company voluntarily offered health insurance to employees who worked 20 hours per week or more. Companies are required by law to offer health insurance only to full-time employees who work 30 hours or more per week.

Several Wegmans employees confirmed part-time health benefits had been cut and said the company said the decision was related to changes brought about by the Affordable Care Act.

However,
a clean conscience makes a soft pillow...
part-time employees may actually benefit from Wegmans' decision, according to Brian Murphy, a partner at Lawley Benefits Group, an insurance brokerage firm in Buffalo.

"If you have an employee that qualifies for subsidized coverage, they might be better off going with that than a limited part-time benefit," Murphy said.

That's because subsidized coverage can have a lower out-of-pocket cost for the insured employee while also providing better benefits than an employer-paid plan.

Under the Affordable Care Act, part-time employees are not eligible for health insurance subsidies if their employer offers insurance.

"It's a win-win. The employee gets subsidized coverage, and the employer gets to lower costs," Murphy said.

"As a private company, we don't share specifics of our employee benefits programs. It's a given that health care reform will result in some changes to our benefits program, but it will not change our commitment to meeting the needs of our employees," Wegmans said in a statement.

Posted by Fred 2013-07-12 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11132 views ] Top

#1 Yeah, it's a win-win, except for the folks subsidizing the low-cost insurance. They get to pay more and get less.

But hey! I guess that's the point of income redistribution!

Posted by Bobby 2013-07-12 06:10|| 2013-07-12 06:10|| Front Page Top

#2 To each according to his need. From each according to his ability.

Posted by Ebbang Uluque6305 2013-07-12 11:37|| 2013-07-12 11:37|| Front Page Top

#3 The phrase is reminiscent of something, that just keeps one step from my consciousness.

What could it be? Where have I seen this before?
.

Posted by OregonGuy 2013-07-12 12:47|| http://www.oregonguythinks.blogspot.com/ 2013-07-12 12:47|| Front Page Top

#4 From each according to his ability, to each according to his need (or needs) is a slogan popularised by Karl Marx in his 1875 Critique of the Gotha Program.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2013-07-12 14:44|| 2013-07-12 14:44|| Front Page Top

#5 I think Oregon was being sarcastic, AP - but that's just me. ;-p

Posted by Barbara 2013-07-12 15:17|| 2013-07-12 15:17|| Front Page Top

#6 Yeah, it's a win-win, except for the folks subsidizing the low-cost insurance. They get to pay more and get less.

But hey! I guess that's the point of income redistribution!

"...he robs from the poor and gives to the rich. Stupid bitch."

Posted by Dopey Sinatra 2013-07-12 16:11|| 2013-07-12 16:11|| Front Page Top

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