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Great News: Ameren Medical Insurance Premiums Drop

Keith Linderer
Business Representative

As I have been reporting at our union meetings over the past several months, Ameren members will see their medical insurance premiums drop substantially when new rates kick in on January 1.

The company recently sent out a packet of information to each member explaining the new rates. Coverage will stay the same. Of course, this is great news for our members employed by Ameren, as last year we saw premiums jump. What our members pay each year depends to a large extent on the previous year’s usage. If there were a lot of claims, especially for expensive surgeries, members will likely face higher premiums. If the plan “experience” was lower, rates might stay the same or even decrease.

One of the best ways for us to control future premiums is to be educated consumers of health care services. Always ask your doctor if the medication he is prescribing has a generic equivalent. Generic equivalents are essentially identical to the brand name drugs—but they cost a whole lot less. The more we can reduce what the plan pays for prescriptions, the more likely it is that we can keep premiums under control.

While the recent news about premium reductions is very welcome, we can’t count on these rates staying the same. They will rise or fall depending on usage and medical inflation. However, we can make a significant difference by using our benefits wisely.