The Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board reviewed preliminary rates for the HealthChoice active and pre-Medicare plan at its regular board meeting Friday, July 24. The final rates will be determined at the August 21 meeting.
A representative from the Aon consulting, OSEEGIB’s actuary, presented a rate analysis based on claims experience and forecasted medical inflation. According to their analysis, the premiums will need to increase by 12 percent to cover the cost of claims in the year beginning January 2010.
To view the preliminary rates click here.
In addition to reviewing rates, the board discussed the possibility of changing benefits to lower the need for premium increases. OPEA will be meeting with HealthChoice staff over the next few weeks to discuss options.
“State employees are struggling to make ends meet,” said OPEA Policy and Research Director Trish Frazier. “On salaries that are 16 percent below market, state employees can’t afford to pay more for insurance.”
The benefit allowance will not be determined until the HMOs set their rates on August 21. At that time the high options will be averaged to set the benefit allowance for the 2010 plan year.
Posted on
Fri, July 24, 2009
by Trish Frazier