CalPERS Recommendations, Vote on 2006 HMO Contracts Scheduled for This Week
The CalPERS health committee on Tuesday will recommend changes to its 2006 HMO contracts, preceding a Wednesday vote by the full CalPERS board on the committee's recommendations, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
According to the Chronicle, premiums are expected to rise for 2006, but it is unclear whether the increase will be greater than or less than the 2005 increase of 11.4%. CalPERS has not indicated how much premiums will increase.
In addition, CalPERS said it will not reduce benefits or increase copayments for 2006 (Colliver, San Francisco Chronicle, 6/14).
This will mark the first time in five years CalPERS has not included major coverage changes in its new HMO contracts. Major changes in the past have included increases in fees for physician office and emergency department visits and restrictions on prescription drug purchases (California Healthline, 6/6).