During the Lafayette Parish School Board's Insurance and Finance Workshop on June 9, 2025, a significant discussion emerged regarding the rising health insurance premiums for employees, particularly retirees, which have seen increases of up to 50%. Board members expressed concerns over the implications of these hikes and the potential need for changes in health care providers.

Board member Bernal Lemoine raised a critical question about the total monthly premiums collected, highlighting the financial strain on retirees. The discussion quickly shifted to the anticipated 25% premium increase from Blue Cross, the current third-party administrator (TPA), while two other companies proposed no increases. This discrepancy raised alarms about how the other companies could manage to cover the same claims without raising premiums.

In response, officials clarified that if Blue Cross remained the TPA, not only would premiums rise, but there would also be significant changes to deductibles and co-pays. The board emphasized that the other companies had provided lower estimates based on the previous year's claims, suggesting that they could offer competitive rates without sacrificing coverage.

The conversation also touched on the importance of maintaining access to preferred healthcare providers. Board members expressed a desire to avoid being forced to switch doctors, emphasizing the need for quality care at reasonable costs. The officials reassured them that the goal was to ensure that providers would want to work with the Lafayette Parish School System, aiming to eliminate inflated healthcare costs associated with current practices.

As the meeting concluded, the board acknowledged the complexities of navigating insurance options and the necessity of making informed decisions to secure affordable healthcare for employees and retirees. The discussions underscored the ongoing challenges in managing health insurance costs while striving to maintain quality care for the Lafayette Parish community.