UPDATE: The state Office of Group Benefits announced on Oct. 1 -- the first day of the enrollment period for the new health insurance plans -- that the enrollment period will extend until Nov. 30 and the changes will take effect March 1, instead of Jan. 1. In a statement, Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols said, “Shifting our timeline will give people the chance to get accurate information and better understand their options.”
The state House Appropriations Committee spent all day Thursday taking testimony about changes to health insurance plans offered for 230,000 state employees, teachers, retirees and their family members through the Louisiana Office of Group Benefits.
The Legislative Fiscal Office had looked over the offerings and estimated maximum out-of-pocket costs for people covered through OGB could go up significantly, 47 percent on average, more than $1,600 per year for a single active employee.
The new plans are supposed to take effect in January. The enrollment period is slated to start next week.
After Thursday’s meeting, a spokesperson for the Commissioner of Administration told The Advocate that her office would consider other options, including a delay.
Meanwhile, OGB is burning through its reserves paying for the existing coverage and the new plans are designed to save the state a lot of money in healthcare claims.
On Wednesday, before House Appropriations met, I spoke with, Tom Groves, Assistant Commissioner, who was brought in just recently to help with the benefits changes and other things within the Division of Administration.
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