[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6191412,"mediaKeyId","4734981-a2febdf81c80a8ed75292d591847f887","parentId",4734981,"title","Interim CFO: GIC projects fiscal‑year deficit but supplemental appropriation covers claims through year‑end","audioSeconds",263,"startMs",5333000,"endMs",5596000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4734981-a2febdf81c80a8ed75292d591847f887&start=5333&end=5596","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4734981-a2febdf81c80a8ed75292d591847f887/thumbnail_5333000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6191412/Massachusetts/Interim-CFO-GIC-projects-fiscalyear-deficit-but-supplemental-appropriation-covers-claims-through-yearend","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191412-cf62f8c23101b30e6dcd6cb8e0d962da/orig.mp4?Expires=1775366478&Signature=ZmlimNoIrcXGF4bLywsHY0aRs-8kA3TfGTXCwx4dMJDoizKoPdlECbSKWR5gldENp5rJyPc9sd18ks0ELF4Zi4uqXJo50db-Bpmnn2Iw6ebjhYTg5vUUTvO75CqtrEaqVLmn0Kvr2dI8thAOxruHGMjZ~DLzzVZXKvyCGcYNHZfpmZuk7VdBwR66mu9sRev~SyBcX7kYv-0F570CQ4NveH7BPx8T4KnHi1j06GtmT3uYS5l878My7oZEnvNVZzP9LHqdE-axQEzDxqrdIRwHubP8ge6mk8UmgnKQ~7pXN9Ew7O-xrkg1E7GwXrO9M64~prP2leyL3MgAFwfVfXWmag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MA Group Insurance Commission","date","2025-06-19T02:19:58Z","article","Catherine Moore, the GIC’s interim chief financial officer, told the commission that the agency is projecting a fiscal‑year deficit driven largely by prescription drug spending and other medical plan variances but that a recently approved legislative supplemental will cover claims through fiscal year end.

Moore said the spending figures in the presentation exclude the supplemental appropriation and that with the \"additional $240,000,000\" the GIC \"should have enough money to pay all of our claims, all of our FY25 claims through the end of the fiscal year.\" She reported a pocket of claims did not process in May because of technical issues after a brief payment pend, estimating about $25,000,000 of claims would post in June. Her cumulative deficit figures for May included a $185,000,000 deficit in one presentation slide and she noted the agency’s true position could be closer to $210,000,000, with a projection of a roughly $230,000,000 shortfall if prior months’ trends continue; the supplemental appropriations are intended to cover those amounts.

Commissioners asked for clarification; staff said the supplemental restored payments, allowed GIC to resume payments to carriers and that finance staff will continue to monitor June activity and bring updated reports in September. Moore and staff emphasized ongoing efforts to manage prescription drug trends and to continue financial oversight into the next fiscal year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","GIC Commission Meeting - June 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Interim CFO Catherine Moore reported a cumulative deficit driven primarily by prescription drug spending and noted the legislature approved a $240 million supplemental that restores carrier payments and covers projected fiscal‑year deficits.","taxTitle","Group Insurance Commission, Executive , Massachusetts","taxId",24966,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6191417,"GIC reports near‑50% portal registration, increased digital transactions and lower paper corrections during annual enrollment",1786,2491000,4277000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4734981-a2febdf81c80a8ed75292d591847f887&start=2491&end=4277","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4734981-a2febdf81c80a8ed75292d591847f887/thumbnail_2491000.jpg","/articles/6191417/Massachusetts/GIC-reports-near50-portal-registration-increased-digital-transactions-and-lower-paper-corrections-during-annual-enrollment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191417-92ee965eaa9ec85ea315e11480b5a342/orig.mp4?Expires=1775366478&Signature=Eqr73Ot44--h5-Bp29PLlT0jnHstksRoaC~OsT~1QicyEbSzNo5zcyJ-3f7P-id6nLQcBhMJd3f5~W5HFXcqKHaUoZOO2aRk26RrWlQA~Vs3~R7HbexrsJLix3S8F8AR0I9WedtO11~DVIQduwru71LfRDHmfHn-lx40rmemXA8UTg3e-SvNpzBIMoxmSg6YKvEWcbwF9-Wn0tGik1debFGmGSzjuhJnFiz7yxNYcuEVOKwACtXJU1udCj8l8N1teulvT4F3DMSI6S-3bxH2--o7AJTzFeYmjHSNLxbezKxvkQg7xGDKNhbAUkt1-f6~B9WyRPx3MK3uUeRTpUz3sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Group Insurance Commission reported substantial digital adoption during annual enrollment, with staff saying 123,980 members — roughly 49.8% of membership — are registered for the GIC self‑service portal.

Paul Murphy, director of operations, said the portal has reduced paper processing and manual data corrections. \"We have about a 123,980 members registered for our self-service portal. It puts us around 49.8% of our membership,\" Murphy said. He added that from July through May about 6,051 new hires were processed and \"70% of our hire use the member portal to enroll in benefits.\" Murphy told the commission that 37,316 personal‑data fields were updated in members’ records through portal cases, replacing manual staff work.

Erica Chabelli, deputy executive director, and communications staff described outreach and digital engagement: benefit decision guides saw steadily higher web traffic since 2022, staff produced a range of digital deliverables and the GIC used social media and videos during the campaign. The commission also reviewed operational volumes: GIC staff answered 48,196 phone calls January–May and handled substantial chat traffic during annual enrollment; 3,639 subscribers changed health plans during the enrollment window (2,584 via the portal). Staff noted an increase to the basic life insurance benefit effective July 1 — roughly 166,830 members will see basic life coverage increase from $5,000 to $10,000 — and reported the town of Holliston will join the GIC effective July 1 with 558 subscribers.","The GIC reported that 123,980 members — about 49.8% — are registered for its self‑service portal; 70% of new hires used the portal for enrollment, thousands of personal data fields were updated online, and phone and chat volumes rose during the enrollment period.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6191422,"GIC authorizes use of employee trust fund for admin services, communications and temporary help",293,2064000,2357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4734981-a2febdf81c80a8ed75292d591847f887&start=2064&end=2357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4734981-a2febdf81c80a8ed75292d591847f887/thumbnail_2064000.jpg","/articles/6191422/Massachusetts/GIC-authorizes-use-of-employee-trust-fund-for-admin-services-communications-and-temporary-help","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191422-7ddb16bdbcff2cdfcac81b4f0e4857de/orig.mp4?Expires=1775366478&Signature=b7FwJd1wKqRGe7XZVePkOUFXQPdYsVJ1R-GmQxOkUPWCPuoMZr7cnHNdbasP4fZAHe~dusiqYcFpM3BfXBej4C~8Pn66tprPHcplhtvRNDU2c7ULfBDwGqyaXpzbLzQ0ZSPp1bB3HHdWJynFwLq7P~zOyxO4hYSMAzaiUh0eFsyAysVEC98AT6~KoVcL7lo4iPzDEdoGCWCT0CUZXyLomyVsr57GZwa1I68uPQth~YoIMuHehIiuPMyd2Rg6guGijM9UIZugSoLxOnr4k18crAtg3fowA--Fy0nga3-fNw-nZWnd2HnUy9Hcg65tjN~BSBN3TTTUbUeVXsKqA8Y~5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Group Insurance Commission approved authorizations to use the employee trust fund for administrative services, communications and temporary help, voting unanimously by roll call.

Catherine Moore, interim chief financial officer, told commissioners that the employee trust fund balance \"is slightly over $6,000,000\" and that the fund is used, with commissioner approval, \"to supplement our appropriated administrative funds when those funds are inadequate to allow us to perform projects that we believe are in the benefit of the employees.\" Moore presented three requests: staff and staff development, communications (with the bulk of $44,000 earmarked for video production) and an authorization to hire up to 10 temporary employees in FY26 if needed.

Commissioners asked for advance notice before any temporary hires. Moore and staff said they would notify commissioners if they planned to use the temporary‑help authorization. A motion to approve the three authorizations passed by roll call; Andrew will circulate the documentation for record keeping.","The Group Insurance Commission approved three employee trust fund authorizations — administrative staff development, communications (including video production) and a temporary‑help authorization for up to 10 temporary employees for fiscal year 2026.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6191426,"GIC approves consultant contract with Boston Benefit Partners (Alara Group) for life and LTD procurement",780,1254000,2034000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4734981-a2febdf81c80a8ed75292d591847f887&start=1254&end=2034","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4734981-a2febdf81c80a8ed75292d591847f887/thumbnail_1254000.jpg","/articles/6191426/Massachusetts/GIC-approves-consultant-contract-with-Boston-Benefit-Partners-Alara-Group-for-life-and-LTD-procurement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191426-5908eebac16e74beaa77f79e652d6f32/orig.mp4?Expires=1775366478&Signature=FI6MxlELXjS59pbUJUdCUwNHSt29F7C41u3cA4fbYhfZjWEt5QYDCdnR64kgVrkhFQWRzvBeqO-mk1TqxAollzNBt94J~ZbpTWWEUEDTxjuJZfONunJdrmKbWiJDCDOQfVqBE4zyw5xMlJamn3TW8tMw~M2Uq4eLyi0MXD1~hQ8cXgx9pM--yxwrJL76Sl9r4glHIGdu9v8pMgOZtLEm2HkswP5LP8FeuDQkAFFf4-8OIBdwYyq7CDFLxd0wsSCwQZibF4LisOnhljnNECUjoNEThGck13Iwd1yKTaWTlMz-hv6g7aHaI4peqdmsJhuhMWc6Spdx7Oknr5d4eqGa8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Group Insurance Commission voted unanimously to authorize a consultant contract with Boston Benefit Partners, now part of the Alara Group, to support procurement of life and long‑term disability (LTD) coverage.

Commissioner Cameron McBean, the GIC director of vendor management, told commissioners the procurement team reviewed best and final offers from the incumbent (Boston Benefit Partners/Alara Group), Lockton and Mercer and recommended staying with the incumbent because of their familiarity with the GIC’s structure and staff. \"Our recommendation is actually to stay with the incumbent who is Boston Benefit Partners now known as Alara Group,\" McBean said during the meeting.

McBean and staff described the evaluation as weighing interview performance, technical submissions and supplier diversity scores. Commissioners asked about supplier diversity scoring and post‑award accountability. McBean said supplier diversity is scored under the Commonwealth’s mandate and that larger national brokerages sometimes face challenges documenting the required percentage of spending with qualifying diverse subcontractors. He added that vendors self‑report annually to the Commonwealth’s supplier diversity office and that GIC staff also monitor performance.

A motion to approve the recommendation was made and seconded; roll call voting recorded the motion as passing unanimously. The consultant will help run the procurement and, after award, assist with annual stewardship reviews and performance evaluation of the life and LTD carriers.","The Group Insurance Commission voted unanimously to retain incumbent Boston Benefit Partners, now part of the Alara Group, as consultant to assist with the life and long‑term disability procurement and ongoing stewardship.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Interim CFO: GIC projects fiscal‑year deficit but supplemental appropriation covers claims through year‑end

GIC reports near‑50% portal registration, increased digital transactions and lower paper corrections during annual enrollment

GIC authorizes use of employee trust fund for admin services, communications and temporary help

GIC approves consultant contract with Boston Benefit Partners (Alara Group) for life and LTD procurement