School board authorizes staff to finalize Cigna medical plan after committee recommends switch

The Martin County School Board on March 20 authorized staff to negotiate a final contract with Cigna for fully insured medical and pharmacy coverage, directing negotiators to seek specific changes before a special meeting April 1.

The board’s March motion, made by Board member Mandy Roberts and seconded by Dr. Moriarty, asked staff to (1) attempt to resolve differences on advanced imaging costs, (2) maintain the district’s existing freeze on new enrollments in the PPO (renamed OAP), and (3) offer the employee‑only high‑deductible plan at no cost to single employees with the district covering the board contribution. The motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: the district runs health benefits for roughly 4,300 employees and retirees and has been operating under competing proposals from Florida Blue, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare. The board’s direction preserves continuity for employees in the frozen PPO plan while pursuing lower ongoing premiums and vendor funds that could offset district costs.

Board discussion and committee work

Don Calderon, the district’s director of risk management and employee benefits, and Gabrielle Swain, benefits…