Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board public meetings in 2023
5 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board
The OGB Policy and Planning Board and Estimating Conference will review procurement matters regarding Medicare Advantage emergency contracts and FSA/COBRA services. The meeting also includes updates on contract amendments for life insurance and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana.
- Medicare Advantage Emergency Contracts: HMO Louisiana, Inc., Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, and Peoples Health
- FSA/COBRA contract with Total Administrative Services Corporation
- Prudential Group Term Life Insurance Amendment 2
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Amendment 3
- Litigation update: Kim Wixson, et al. v. the State of Louisiana
Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board
The Board will review 2024 premium rate increases for self-funded plans across different classifications. Members will also receive updates on contract amendments for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana and Access Health Incorporated. The Board intends to move into executive session to discuss prospective and pending litigation.
- 2024 Premium Rate Increases for Self-Funded Plans
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Amendment #2 Update
- Access Health Incorporated Amendment #4 Update
- Executive Session regarding MedImpact Healthcare Systems, Inc. litigation
- Discussion of Debbie Cade Vienne, et al. v. the State of Louisiana
The Board recommended a 4.25% premium rate increase for all OGB self-funded plans for the 2024 plan year, rejecting a higher proposal of 6.15% and 12.4%. The Board also approved the appointment of two new members and the minutes from the July 19, 2023 meeting.
- Recommended 4.25% premium rate increase for all 2024 self-funded plans (9-1)
- Approved appointment of Sen. Fred Mills to the Board (Unanimous)
- Approved minutes from July 19, 2023 meeting (Unanimous)
- Approved motion to enter Executive Session (Unanimous)
- Approved motion to end Executive Session (Unanimous)
Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board
The Office of Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board and Estimating Conference will review health plan offerings and 2024 premium rate increases. The body will also receive updates on contract amendments and the acquisition of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana by Elevance.
- 2024 Premium Rate Increases for School Board and non-School Board classifications
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Amendment #2 Update
- Access Health Incorporated Amendment #4 Update
- Executive session regarding litigation with MedImpact Healthcare Systems, Inc.
- Executive session regarding Debbie Cade Vienne, et al. and Kim Wixson, et al. lawsuits
Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board
The board will hear a financial update, discuss 2024 premium rates, and consider contract amendments for Access Health, Extend Health, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana. It will also review procurement updates for group term life insurance, flexible spending accounts, and Medicare Advantage plans, and address a resolution of a contract dispute with MedImpact and a Louisiana Department of Insurance investigation.
- Discussion of 2024 premium rates
- Contract amendments: Access Health, Extend Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana
- Procurement updates: Group Term Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Near Real-Time Monitoring
- Planned emergency contracts for Medicare Advantage plans with Blue adVantage, Humana, Peoples Health
- Resolution of contract dispute with MedImpact and Louisiana Department of Insurance investigation
The Policy and Planning Board elected new officers and approved minutes from the April 2023 meeting. The Board recommended two contract amendments to the JLCB to extend services for Extend Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana for 24 months. Members also reviewed financial updates, 2024 premium rate scenarios, and the resolution of a contract dispute.
- Elected Jeremy Jackson as Chairman, Frank Jobert as Vice-Chairman, and Mike Saylor as Secretary
- Approved April 13, 2023 joint meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Recommended Extend Health contract amendment to JLCB (Unanimous)
- Recommended Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana contract amendment to JLCB (Unanimous)
- Resolved contract dispute with MedImpact resulting in $65,981.20 payment to OGB
Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board
The Office of Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board and Estimating Conference will meet jointly to discuss and potentially act on several items, including 2024 premium rates based on medical loss ratio and claims experience, anticipated plan changes for pharmacy benefits and employer contributions, and multiple procurement matters such as contract amendments for Access Health and CaremarkPCS Health. The board will also receive an update on the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s PBM performance audit and discuss impacts of externalities like the Inflation Reduction Act. The meeting includes a vote to move into executive session to discuss pending litigation and an investigation.
- Consideration of basing 2024 premium rates on medical loss ratio and claims experience in each plan
- Anticipated plan changes: OGB pharmacy benefit plan design, employer contributions for Pelican HSA775 Plan, Vantage Medical Home HMO Plan
- Contract amendment for Access Health, Inc. (Jan 1 – June 30, 2024) and RFP for primary care capitated services
- Contract amendment for CaremarkPCS Health, LLC (real-time monitoring emergency contract)
- Executive session for pending litigation: MedImpact Healthcare Systems, Inc. v. State of Louisiana, and two other cases
The Board appointed Dr. Gwile Freeman to a vacant elected position and recommended contract amendments for Access Health, Inc. and CaremarkPCS Health, LLC. Members also voted to include the Financial Monitoring Report in all future meetings.
- Appointed Dr. Gwile Freeman to the OGB Policy and Planning Board (Unanimous)
- Approved Estimating Conference minutes from September 8, 2022 (Unanimous)
- Approved Policy and Planning Board minutes from September 8, 2022 as amended
- Recommended Access Health, Inc. Contract Amendment (Unanimous)
- Recommended CaremarkPCS Health, LLC Contract Amendment and procurement of real-time monitoring vendor (Unanimous)
- Approved inclusion of Financial Monitoring Report at every Policy and Planning Board meeting (Unanimous)