When it comes to health insurance, out-of-pocket expenses can be a real curve ball. Local 888, other unions and retirees have been working to rein in out-of-pocket expenses for members covered under the state’s Group Insurance Commission.

For fiscal year 2018-2019, out-of-pocket expenses for GIC enrollees held roughly steady. Here’s the roundup:

• For the top-paying 5 percent of enrollees, those hit with the most out-of-pocket expenses, these costs rose somewhat — from about $3,429 to $3,502.
• For those in the top 10 percent of enrollees, out-of-pocket charges actually went down over 2018-2019 — from $2,968 to $2,752.
• The median out-of-pocket charges for GIC enrollees that year went down by a dollar, from $914 to $913.

Local 888 chapters in these communities are covered under the state’s GIC: Arlington, Framingham, Gloucester, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lexington, Lowell, Medford, Millis, Norwood, Randolph, Somerville, Springfield, Watertown, Westwood, Weymouth