“It’s going to be a significant cost shift,” said Danny Homan, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 61, the state’s largest public-sector union.

He noted the 2018 plan redesign replacing five insurance options with just two options could mean higher premiums and more out-of-pocket costs for workers who received a 1 percent raise.

“It’s atrocious,” he added. “They’re trying to balance their budget on the backs of hardworking men and women.”

Higher premiums

Figures from Administrative Services show that full-time AFSCME state employees covered under the least expensive option pay $20 a month for either a single or family plan. Under the new design, that will be $40 per month under the single rate or $150 per family for the Iowa Choice option; or $93 a month for single coverage and $273 per family under the National Choice option.

Currently, those employees can choose more expensive plans with enhanced benefits — ranging up to $335 a month for the costliest option, figures show. It's possible that despite the overall cost increase to the employees, some could see premiums decrease if they move from the most expensive family plan in 2017 to either family plan in 2018.