CalPERS Health Panel Delays Vote on Plans for Benefits Changes
The CalPERS Health Benefits Committee on Tuesday voted to postpone a vote on suggested changes to health insurance plan options that are intended to help control health care costs, the Sacramento Bee reports.
With savings projected at about $66 million annually, the committee is considering proposals to:
- Increase copayments for medications, doctor visits and emergency department care; and
- Waive copays for preventive care (Chan, Sacramento Bee, 4/18).
Another proposal under consideration would eliminate a Blue Shield of California HMO for residents of El Dorado, Napa, Lake and Plumas counties. The four counties are considered among the most costly for health care services, and members in those counties have higher-than-average incidences of chronic conditions.
CalPERS estimates that the proposal would generate $40 million in premium savings for Blue Shield's remaining 356,000 members in other counties (Chan, Sacramento Bee, 4/17). Premiums for these members enrolled in Blue Shield's HMO are projected to fall by about 2%.
George Diehr, chair of the CalPERS committee, said more information was needed before the board could vote on the proposals (Sacramento Bee, 4/18). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.