The McAllen Independent School District recently switched insurance consultants after a lengthy seven month Request for Qualifications process. The Board initiall decided to terminate their contract with a McAllen based consultant in favor of a San Antonio based consulting firm. But, that decision was subsequently overruled and instead a Houston firm was appointed the Consultant of Record.
Within three weeks of hire, the new consulting firm put the district out to bid for their self-funded health plan, giving vendors three weeks in which to respond.
A seasoned investigative reporter, Molly Mulebrier, predicts that the McAllen ISD will change insurance vendors. HealthSmart, the current third party administrator/PPO network provider, is in jeopardy of losing the business. This comes following the loss of Brownsville ISD, Los Fresnos ISD, San Benito ISD, PSJA ISD and Edcouch Elsa ISD.
When asked who the victor will be in this bid process, Mulebrier said that Blue Cross Blue Shield is the horse to bet on this time. Local politics will play a heavy role, with area medical providers vying for advantage.
Alonzo Cantu will be the king maker, predicts Mulebrier.
With superior market share in Hidalgo County, Blue Cross has the political advantage. HEB will also make a strong run as PBM and will be very competitive.
Molly Mulbrie’s predicions: Blue Cross for health, HEB for PBM, Highmark for stop loss.
