M'burgh Village Discusses Rising Health Insurance Costs

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - One of life absolutes, higher health insurance costs, is facing the Middleburgh village board.

Village board members budgeted for a 20 percent health insurance cost increase for 2026 and the hike, unless the village goes with another option, is 21 percent.

Though the increase can be covered in the just-passed budget, village officials are concerned with the rising costs and plan to meet with their insurance agent at their meeting on December 1.

Under the current proposal, the village's CDPHP EPO plan renewal is up to $1,265 per individual from $1,046, a 21 percent hike. Other options are: the CDPHP HMO plan, $975, a 6.7 percent decrease; MVP EPO alternative #1, $1,131 per individual, an 8 percent increase; and MVP EPO, alternative #2, plan $1,255 per person, a 20 percent increase. The main difference for the two MVP alternatives is the deductible. Officials noted that the HMO is more for local coverage.

There are other long-term alternatives, village officials noted.

The village pays 80 percent of the health insurance cost for employees and officials said they do not want to change that.

The village board set a special meeting for December 1 at which Trustees Amanda Fernandez and Sheryl Adams, who won re-election this week, will be sworn in. In addition, annual re-organizational appointments and designations will be made, and health insurance will be discussed.