Board approves move to NYHIP cooperative for employee health coverage

The District 34 Board of Education voted to approve a healthcare cooperative agreement to join NYHIP after a committee review of options for employee health coverage. The committee considered three options: continuing a self-funded plan, joining an EBC cooperative, or joining NYHIP. The presenter told the board that each option remained viable but that NYHIP emerged as the committee recommendation, citing continuity of service from the district’s broker, Gallagher, stability of the pharmacy drug list and pricing that “showed material savings for both the district and many families” who pay buy-up premiums. The presenter asked a Gallagher representative to introduce himself and answer questions. Nick Robatic, representing Gallagher and NYHIP, said NYHIP’s HMO and PPO plans have outperformed market trends over five- and 10-year averages and described NYHIP as a cooperative that manages vendor and carrier relationships for participating districts. Board members asked about long-term performance and the pharmacy formulary. Robatic and district staff said the NYHIP formulary is broader than the district’s current standalone formulary; Blue Cross has confirmed moving to the cooperative would not disrupt members, though carriers can change formularies periodically. The board approved the resolution to enter NYHIP on a roll-call vote. James Dolan moved to approve the resolution and Giulio seconded; the roll call recorded all members voting in favor. The presenter and committee members thanked Gallagher and noted Comco’s work on the evaluation. The meeting record does not list specific dollar amounts of projected savings for individual plans or employees; the board was provided a memo and resolution and approved joining NYHIP as recommended.