School board directs superintendent to request de‑identified paid‑claims report amid insurance cost concerns

The Lafayette Parish School Board adopted resolution 01‑025‑2113 on Jan. 8 directing the superintendent to request a detailed paid‑claims report from the district’s third‑party administrator, with language intended to ensure any individually identifiable health information is excluded.

Board legal counsel David Hammonds told the board that most of the information in such a report would be public but that “anything that would individually identify an employee…would be personally identifiable information which is not subject to release.” Hammonds said the resolution’s language was crafted to address HIPAA and other privacy laws and to make clear the board’s intended uses of the report.

Nut graf: Members said the request responds to sustained concern about insurance expenses and the district’s fiduciary obligations as trustees of the health plan; they sought de‑identified data to evaluate costs without violating privacy protections.

Board members described insurance spending as a large part of the district budget. One board member, speaking from the insurance committee, said the review is intended to ensure the district is not paying excessive amounts and to determine whether discounts and billing accuracy are being achieved. Board member Miss Labou cited rough figures to put the matter in budget context: “our last year's budget was around $798,000,000…and one eighth of that or close to a $100,000,000 was insurance alone,” she said.

A motion to adopt the resolution passed; the board secretary announced, “84 none against.” The resolution text directs the superintendent to obtain the requested report and to ensure the report is used in accordance with applicable privacy laws and regulations.

Ending: The board gave the administration direction to request the report and review de‑identified information; no individual claim data will be released, per the district counsel’s explanation.