Ridgewood Sees Big Savings Switching Health Care Providers

For the second time in five years, school officials in Ridgewood have realized a big savings by switching health care providers.

According to Daniel Fishbein, the to the district has been cut in half with the jump from Cigna to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The superintendent estimates it will save approximately $1 million with the move.

Because the $90 million 2012-2013 budget has already been passed and the tax levy set (at a flat 2 percent increase), the savings won't help out the taxpayer this year.

"It will most likely be reserved against future benefit premium increases," Fishbein said when asked how the money will be spent.

During the 2010-2011 budget year, a switch to Cigna saved about $1 million and helped the district mitigate what .