2+ week, 5+ day ago (546+ words) OLATHE, Kan. " As families across the Kansas City-area compare health care plans during open enrollment, some retired Olathe city employees are grappling with skyrocketing premium increases they say threaten their retirement security. A retired city employee reached out to KSHB 41 about changes to Olathe's retiree health benefits. At the most recent Olathe City Council meeting, several retirees said the city's health insurance premium increases could raise their health care costs by 500% to 900% in 2026, depending on their plan and coverage level. Retired Olathe Deputy Fire Chief Todd Hart said he's moved his 31-year service plaque from his wall to his basement " a symbolic gesture representing his feelings about preparing for a 500% increase in his health care costs from the city. "All of a sudden now you're just going to break it off on the backs of the employees or the retirees?...

9+ hour, 11+ min ago (388+ words) The city of Olathe has extended its open enrollment window to Wednesday, Dec. 3, for city retirees facing significant premium increases in their health insurance costs next year. A retired city employee first reached out to KSHB 41 about this last month, citing a recent Olathe City Council meeting. At the meeting, multiple retirees said the city's health insurance premium increases could raise their health care costs by 500% to 900% in 2026, depending on their plan and coverage level. During an open enrollment help session at the end of November for retired Olathe city employees, city officials announced they would provide a $250 per month subsidy for certain health insurance plans. "The City Manager's Office understands that changes to the retiree health insurance plan for 2026 were shared with less than advance notice than many would have preferred, and we recognize that this has caused undue…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago (504+ words) Open enrollment season is underway, but millions of Americans may soon face some sticker shock when they shop for health coverage. Premiums for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans and employer-sponsored coverage are set to rise at rates not seen in 15 years, according to new surveys and health policy experts. A recent survey from consulting firm Mercer shows employer health care plans could jump 9% in 2026 - the steepest increase since the late 2000s. ACA plans, which covered a record 24 million people this year, are projected to rise an average of 26% next year. In some states, the increases could be even higher if enhanced premium tax credits expire - subsidies that have helped keep costs lower for millions. Kitty Richards, a fiscal policy expert, said the hikes will touch almost every family. "It's going to be very typical for people to see their premiums doubling,…...

3+ week, 11+ hour ago (601+ words) Some retired Olathe city employees say the city's health insurance premium increases could raise their health care costs by 500% to 900% in 2026, depending on their plan and coverage level. A retired city employee reached out to KSHB 41, citing the most recent Olathe City Council meeting, where several city employees and retirees discussed the increased premiums. Recent data from KFF shows insurers offering Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans could increase premiums by around 18% for 2026. The price consumers pay could jump by 75% if subsidies for the program expire at the end of December. KFF data also shows premiums already went up 7% in 2025. Gary Nickerson, who served the Olathe community for decades as a firefighter and retired as a senior captain at 52, received an email from the city about a month ago notifying him of the changes. "I lived here since 1973 as an 11-year-old,…...