Board hears detailed briefing on 2026 health insurance options; self‑funding presented as an alternative to steep renewal

The Emporia Board of Education on Sept. 24 heard a detailed presentation from benefits consultants about options for the district's 2026 employee health insurance, including remaining fully insured with Blue Cross Blue Shield, switching carriers to Aetna with reduced benefits, or moving to a partially self‑funded plan with stop‑loss protection.

Consultants from IMA said the district's renewal under the current fully insured arrangement could be about 26.5 percent, a level that prompted the analysis of alternatives. Cody Purdy, IMA's national practice lead for public and labor, summarized the tradeoffs: "Self funding is a viable strategy for many, and we review it from a very objective and best‑practice perspective," he said.

Why this matters: the board must weigh a one‑year premium shock against multi‑year financial and operational consequences. A fully insured renewal locks the district into a higher fixed premium that the carrier will incorporate into future renewals. The self‑funded option shifts claim payment…