Sunnyside Unified trust hears Brown & Brown/Valley Schools report: early-year claims rise but presenters say premiums appear adequate

On Sept. 24 the Sunnyside Unified District Trust heard an experience report from benefits consultants and actuaries showing the district’s health plans have seasonal claim volatility, growing prescription costs and an overall loss ratio that consultants said keeps the current premiums in a defensible position.

Jameson Davis, an analyst with Brown & Brown who presented the experience report, told the trust that “currently right now, we’re slightly down from last year” in enrollment but that claims for July and August are showing seasonal effects. Davis said the plans recorded about 1,404 covered members (employees, spouses and dependents) and that combined medical and pharmacy paid claims in the first two months totaled just over $1 million — averaging about $532,000 per month. He said the trust’s computed budgeted premium equivalent for the…