"Over the years, we've reported on several insurance pools, including the Plymouth County Health Insurance Program, the state' oldest, and among its best-run pools." Plymouth's pool had included the county itself, several school and fire districts, as well as 21 of the 26 towns in the county.

Recently, 4 of the 21 member towns withdrew and established their own insurance pool, called "Gateway." They are Carver, Lakeville, Marion and Mattapoisett, which have approximately 1,000 enrollees.

According to Plymouth officials, the withdrawal of these towns from the pool had little, if any, effect on its (July 1) premium rates. "Participants will experience an average increase of 10% in the Blue Cross plans and 12% for Harvard Pilgrim," reports Stillman. "This is in line with the average increases that we've seen in other insurance programs throughout the Commonwealth."

Towns and the other subdivisions in the Plymouth pool can choose to offer their retirees and survivors a number of Blue Cross plans. They are Master Health, Blue Care Elect (PPO), Network Blue (HMO) and Medex III.

In addition, the pool menu includes the Harvard Pilgrim plan, as well as its Medicare Enhanced which is a national network. Currently, there are about 10,000 retirees, employees and dependents who are insured by the Plymouth pool.