Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board public meetings in 2024
3 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board
The OGB Policy and Planning Board, combined with the Estimating Conference, will meet to approve minutes from prior meetings and discuss procurement matters, specifically an emergency Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) contract. The agenda includes public comment and new business items.
- Discussion of emergency PBM contract procurement
- Approval of minutes from August 8, 2024 Estimating Conference
- Approval of minutes from August 15, 2024 Policy & Planning Board meeting
- Public comment period
The Policy and Planning Board and Estimating Conference approved a recommendation for an emergency Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) contract with CVS effective January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. The contract aims to comply with House Bill 172 and Senate Bill 444 by updating pricing models and pharmacy network options.
- Approved August 8, 2024 Estimating Conference minutes (unanimous)
- Approved August 15, 2024 Policy and Planning Board minutes (unanimous)
- Recommended emergency PBM contract information to the Policy and Planning Board (unanimous)
- Recommended emergency PBM contract information to JLCB (unanimous)
Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board
The Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board will meet to review 2025 premium rates and financial updates. The board will also consider contract amendments for several healthcare and benefit providers.
- 2025 Premium Rates
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Amendment #3
- Caremark Amendment #2
- TASC Amendment #1 and Amendment #2
- HMO Louisiana Amendment #1
The Policy and Planning Board recommended a 6.65% premium rate increase across all plans for 2025 to ensure sustainability. The Board also approved changes to Medicare retiree out-of-pocket maximums to comply with the Inflation Reduction Act.
- Recommended 6.65% premium rate increase for CY 2025 (Unanimous)
- Approved recommendation for HMO Louisiana Amendment #1 (Unanimous)
- Recommended changes to maximum out-of-pocket amounts for Medicare retirees (Unanimous)
- Elected Frank Jobert as Chairman (Unanimous)
- Elected Dr. Gwile Freeman as Vice Chairman (Unanimous)
- Elected Mike Saylor as Secretary (Unanimous)
- Approved minutes from May 9, 2024 meeting (Unanimous)
- Administered Oath of Office to Rep. Chad Brown, Dannie Garrett III, Sen. Alan Seabaugh, and Sen. Jeremy Stine
Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board
The Office of Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board will meet to appoint new board members and review several procurement matters. The board is discussing contract amendments and emergency contracts for health and pharmacy services.
- Contract amendments for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, Caremark, and TASC
- Emergency contract for Access Health Incorporated
- Updates on Fully Insured Medicare Advantage HMO Emergency Contracts
- Updates on Primary Care Network and Fully Insured Commercial HMO RFPs
- Appointment and oath of office for Sen. Adam Bass, Rep. Chad Brown, Rep. Kim Carver, Dannie Garret, III and Sen. Jeremy Stine
The Policy and Planning Board approved several contract amendments and emergency extensions to maintain health and life benefit programs. The Board also swore in new members and approved minutes from the October 2023 meeting.
- Approved minutes from October 25, 2023 meeting (unanimous)
- Recommended BCBSLA Amendment #3 to extend contract for two years (unanimous)
- Recommended Caremark Amendment #2 to hold AWP discount steady (unanimous)
- Recommended TASC Amendment #1 regarding email bounce backs and COBRA notice terminology (unanimous)
- Recommended TASC Amendment #2 regarding enrollment materials and removal of $50,000 credit (unanimous)
- Recommended emergency contract with Access Health, Inc. through December 31, 2024 (unanimous)