And now the rest of the story of 61 Texas School Districts Scrambling To Find Health Insurance?
SOURCE: Public Meeting Agenda: July 25, 2023 at 6:00 PM – Regular Meeting – BoardBook Premier
Beginning on May 25, 2023, Denton ISD was informed that the reinsurance carrier would not renew the contract for the TSHBP health insurance offering for 2023-2024. TSHBP board met to discuss options for moving the health insurance program forward. The plan approved by the TSHBP board was to increase rates to participating districts by 15% for directed care plans and 30% for Aetna plans. This increase would provide funding to cover potential claims from all 61 participating districts. The plan would not be fully funded but hold participating districts accountable for any claims above the premiums collected. Denton ISD, being the largest participating district, would account for 14% of any potential loss to the program.
During the spring of 2023 district leadership along with the Denton ISD board conducted a listening tourthroughout the district. This opportunity gave district leadership an opportunity to hear concerns on many matters. One of the loudest concerns was access to care and affordability of care. The transition from TRS ActiveCare for the 2022-2023 health care plan year had issues with plan acceptability by local medical providers. The largest of the providers, Texas Health Resources (THR) had the most impact. THR is the largest provider in Denton County. The limitation and overall accessibility issues on the directed care and the Aetna plans indicated a need for change. Financial Benefit Solutions the districts TPA began negotiating options for Denton ISD to consider.
At the June 16, 2023, school board meeting, the Denton ISD board approved a resolution giving Dr. Wilson authority to approve a final health insurance plan offering during the summer due to calendar issues with the next school board meeting on July 25, 2023.
Denton ISD, with the support of FBS began direct negotiations with BlueCross BlueShield of Texas. The outcome of the negotiations lead to a decision to accept an offer for employee health benefit coverage. The offering includes 3 plans: high deductible plan, Platinum HMO plan and Gold HMO plan. Plan outline and cost per plan are outlined below. In addition to securing the employee health care plans for 2023-2024 Denton ISD will be moving 2 of our dental plan offerings to BlueCross BlueShield. This addition allowed Denton ISD to secure a rate cap guarantee for the second year of the plan.
The TSHBP Board of Trustees
MONTY HYSINGER – Dumas ISD Superintendent
PEGGY HAYNES – Beaumont ISD – Sr. Director Auxiliary Services
AARON HOOD – Robert Lee ISD Superintendent
KELLEY VANNATTA – Whitehouse ISD – Chief Human Resource Officer
CARLA SETTLE – Cedar Hill ISD – Executive Director of Finance
PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS:
REGION 1
Brooks County ISD
Monte Alto ISD
REGION 2
Calallen ISD
Ingleside ISD
Pettus ISD
REGION 3
Ezzell ISD
REGION 4
Brazosport ISD
Crosby ISD
REGION 5
Beaumont ISD
Burkeville ISD
REGION 6
New Caney ISD
Splendora ISD
REGION 7
Whitehouse ISD
REGION 8
Paris ISD
Pewitt CISD
Sulphur Bluff ISD
REGION 9
Nocona ISD
REGION 10
Cedar Hill ISD
REGION 11
Alvord ISD
Joshua ISD
REGION 12
Blum ISD
Orenda Education Center
REGION 13
Doral Academy
Fayetteville ISD
Meridian Word School
REGION 15
Brookesmith ISD
Eden CISD
Panther Creek ISD
Robert Lee ISD
Water Valley ISD
REGION 16
Dimmitt ISD
Dumas ISD
Friona ISD
Gruver ISD
Kelton ISD
Miami ISD
Panhandle ISD
Vega ISD
REGION 17
Klondike ISD
Meadow ISD
Petersburg ISD
Plains ISD
Roosevelt ISD
Ropes ISD
Seagraves ISD
REGION 18
Iraan-Sheffield ISD
REGION 19
Public School Partners
REGION 20
Alamo Heights ISD
Divide ISD
Leakey ISD
Lytle ISD
