SEVEN FIELDS — The borough will save more than $12,000 next year by switching health care providers.

Borough manager Tom Smith said borough employees were facing a 47 percent increase in costs from this year to next year. The borough paid more than $44,000 this year to UPMC in health care costs for its employees.

But council on Monday night approved a switch to Highmark, and an annual plan that will cost about $32,000.

The move affects five employees, while the new contract runs through December 2012.

“We were lucky enough to be able to shop it around and find almost a $13,000 decrease,” Smith said. “I know council appreciates it, and it helps the employees lower their copay too.”

Smith said the savings will go back into the borough’s budget for next year, although the money hasn’t been designated for any specific project.