Cashing out coverage: Greenburgh medical buyouts under scrutiny
The program pays town employees who decline Greenburgh’s health insurance.
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A News 12 investigation is taking a closer look at Greenburgh’s medical insurance buyout program, which has cost taxpayers nearly $10 million.
The program pays town employees who decline Greenburgh’s health insurance. Town officials say the idea is to save money by avoiding the full cost of coverage, but critics say Greenburgh’s payouts are far higher than those offered in other communities.
Town-supplied records show some Greenburgh employees could receive as much as $22,000 in direct cash payments for declining the town’s health plan. By comparison, other municipalities, including Yonkers, cap similar buyouts in the range of $3,000 to $8,000.
Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner says he would prefer moving to a fixed-dollar amount, similar to other communities. Councilmember Ellen Hendrickx says the program should be reassessed and that the Town Council is proposing a cap.
Residents say the issue comes as many families are already struggling with affordability.
The Greenburgh Town Council has not yet approved an insurance buyout cap.
