CALPERS: SEEKS PROPOSALS FOR INNOVATIVE HEALTH PLANS
The California Public Employees' Retirement System isThis is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
issuing a request for proposal for fresh, innovative ideas for
delivering quality, affordable health care for its two PPOs, PERS
care and PERS Choice. CalPERS is challenging bidders to come up
with new approaches for solving some of the biggest and toughest
problems that all purchasers of health care have been struggling
with for years -- such as easier access to specialists, fewer
disruptions in doctor-patient relationships, a more stable list
of approved drugs and better access to medical care in rural
areas. "This RFP seeks creative ways to tackle some of the most
challenging problems of American health care. If there ever was
a time for the health care industry to be innovative, creative
and imaginative, this is it. We are looking for new health care
ideas," said Kurato Shimada, chair of the CalPERS Health Benefits
Committee.
SPECIFICS, PLEASE
CalPERS is inviting proposals for a POS plan, as well as an
exclusive provider network -- a self-funded "private label" HMO
exclusively for CalPERS members which would be designed to
CalPERS' own high standards. CalPERS is also willing to consider
adjusting premiums to level the playing field between health
plans with younger, healthier patients and those with older and
sicker patients as a way to eliminate "cherry picking" by
insurers. Bids for the plans are due November 26; the new
contract takes effect January 1, 1999 (CalPERs release, 9/17).