Weslaco ISD staff recommend renewing insurance contracts; trustees briefed on $1M claims budget pressure

WESLACO — Superintendent Richard Rivera and risk management staff recommended that the Weslaco ISD Board include several insurance renewals on the consent agenda after a workshop discussion on plan performance and projected costs.

The renewals would keep Blue Cross Blue Shield as the district’s health and pharmacy administrator, MetLife for dental, TriStar as the third‑party administrator for self‑funded workers’ compensation, and Miracle Medical for diabetes testing supplies. Staff said those renewals reflect months of negotiating and a mix of RFP results and BAFOs (best and final offers).

Why it matters: The district is self‑funded for medical claims, so administrative fees and pharmacy rebates affect the budget differently than doctors’ claim payments. Rivera said the district is budgeting an approximately $1,000,000 increase for next year to cover expected higher claim costs rather than administrative fees.

District recommendations and key numbers came from risk management and external consultants. On diabetes testing supplies, staff reported Miracle Medical lowered the price for testing strips back to the prior level ($35 for testing strips and $10 for lancets, per staff presentation)…