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Harlingen selects Blue Cross Blue Shield plan after competitive RFP; estimated $660,000 saving for 2026
Summary
After a review of five proposals and a self-funded analysis, the City Commission awarded the employee health-insurance contract to Blue Cross Blue Shield, opting to offer a Texas-focused HMO (Blue Essentials) funded by the city and an opt-up PPO; the change is projected to reduce the city’s premium costs in 2026 by about $660,000.
City officials approved a new employee health insurance arrangement on a first-motion vote after hearing results of an RFP and a consultant’s analysis showing measurable near-term savings if the city switches carriers and plan design.
McGriff consultant Scott Gibbs presented the request-for-proposal results and a partially self-funded analysis. Five organizations responded to the RFP; the final, best-and-final offers narrowed to UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Blue Cross offered a Texas-focused HMO (the Blue Essentials network) plus a larger PPO network (Blue Choice) that the city could offer side-by-side. Blue Cross’s final offer included a $325,000 one-time transition credit and a second-year rate…
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