NEW YORK—The city’s primary health care provider EmblemHealth has opted to forgo a rate increase for the first time in 15 years. It could save the city $300 million in healthcare costs.
The move comes ahead of city officials issuing a request next week for proposal seeking competitive bids for health care providers.
“EmblemHealth’s decision shows that by introducing competition and modernizing our healthcare plan, we can improve the care that our employees and retirees get and reduce the amount that City taxpayers have to pay for it,” Mayor Bloomberg said.
Healthcare and benefits currently cost $6.3 billion and is expected to jump to $8.3 million by 2017.
