LCC health insurance costs rise as open enrollment begins

Lansing Community College employees face higher health insurance costs for 2027 as open enrollment begins Monday, Nov. 9.

LCC’s published rate tables show that a full-time employee’s monthly payment for single coverage under the Versatile 3 PPO plan will rise from $303.13 to $446.35 — an increase of $143.22, or about 47%. The plan’s full monthly premium, including the college’s contribution, rises about 16.9%.

The college’s benefits page lists open enrollment as Nov. 9–22 for the 2027 calendar year.

Union representatives are asking trustees to replace LCC’s current “hard cap” funding method with the 80/20 option, The Lookout reported.

Michigan’s Public Act 152 limits public employers’ contributions toward employee medical plans. Under the hard-cap method, the limit is calculated using annual dollar amounts tied to coverage categories.

The alternative 80/20 method limits the employer’s contribution to no more than 80% of total annual medical-plan costs. Adopting that option requires an annual majority vote of the governing body, according to Michigan Treasury guidance.

Jen Tilson, an LCC police officer, told the Lookout that insurance costs had led her and her wife to discuss divorce.

The Board of Trustees meets Monday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m. The meeting is open to the public, with remote viewing and participation information available on LCC’s meeting page.

Employees with benefits questions can contact LCC’s human resources benefits team at [email protected].