Vermilion Parish School Board: No decision on health insurance

The Vermilion Parish School Board insurance committee was to have decided on what company to insure the parish employees Monday night, but a last minute e-mail sent to one of the committee members changed the minds of several on the health insurance committee.
Blue Cross Blue Shield sent an e-mail two hours before the meeting began to school board member Sara Duplechain, stating they would raise the discount (to hospitals allowance to 68 percent, where they had previously stated it would be 60.5 percent.
It is unknown why the e-mail was not sent to the entire panel.
The other two insurance companies in the bidding process were United Healthcare and Aetna. United Healthcare was allowing a 60.5 percent discount, where Aetna was offering 57.8 percent.
Insurance committee chairman Stacy Landry said he had not received such an e-mail and stated Blue Cross had the opportunity to send in all requested quotes, but had failed to do so.
“Because of this, the only two insurances we could compare was United Healthcare and Aetna,” said Landry. “My opinion, and this is my opinion only, I think we need to go with United Healthcare. They can give us the best value for our money.”
He told the committee members that Blue Cross Blue Shield could not offer a guaranteed three year or offer any medicare supplement plan.
Right after Landry made his recommendation, school board member Sara Duplechain explained to the insurance committee that one of the three quotes from one of the three insurance companies who made a proposal (United Health Care, Aetna and Blue Cross), had changed.
Duplechain said she got an email from Blue Cross Blue Shield, saying it raised its deduction from 60.5 percent to 68 percent. She said they guaranteed the rate for two years.
She said surrounding parishes have Blue Cross Blue Shield and “are satisfied.” “Lets change companies and try something that other parishes are using and are successful with,” said Duplechain. She explained to the committee that a spokesman said Blue Cross Blue Shield would match the benefits that United Healthcare offers.
Landry was not too happy to learn that Blue Cross Blue Shield now wants to give a quote at the very end.
“I looked at this option and reviewed every number the school board office has received. This is the best determination I can say is best for the Vermilion Parish School Board,” Landry said. He was confused as to why Blue Cross Blue Shield waited until 4 p.m. the day of the meeting to contact a board member about a new proposal. He never received that e-mail, he said.
Duplechain said United Healthcare now wants to create discounts but was not willing to help when the School Board was struggling with the high claim cost. “Why would we give them (United Healthcare) another chance?” asked Duplechain.
School Board member Chris Gautreaux said he has an e-mail from Blue Cross Blue Shield but it says nothing about a two-year guaranteed price. Duplechain said she has an extra e-mail that states it. Gautreaux said he never got additional e-mails.
“I feel like we have given United Healthcare so many options to save us from drowning,” said Duplechain. “They never wanted to help us. Why are we giving them the satisfaction of our business?”
The insurance committee felt that because of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s new 68 percent discount proposal, it opens another door of opportunity. One committee person said teachers have called her and encouraged her not to be in a hurry to vote on United Healthcare Insurance.
Ricky Broussard, a school board member who is not on the insurance committee, stood up and told the insurance committee that he has received phone calls and texts from teachers who do not want United Healthcare Insurance.
Joan Frederick, who is the North Vermilion Middle School Principal and sits on the insurance committee requested one more week to look at everything.
“In good faith we need to look at it. I don’t understand al of this,” said Frederick.
Landry told Frederick there is not another week to give the school board. A decision has to be made as soon as possible, he explained.
Phill Sellers, the school board’s CFO, said there is a short time-line to name a new insurance company. The insurance committee will need to have another meeting this week.
Sellers said the committee has to make a decision, “Yesterday.”
School board member Kibbie Pillette was in favor of changing to Blue Cross Blue Shield. He also recommended to let the employees decide on what insurance company they want.
After about an hour of talking, the insurance committee voted 7-3 not to make a decision on which health insurance company to select. On Thursday, the school board is not expected to make a decision on health insurance because no decision was made.