Board approves switch to CareFirst Medicare Advantage plan for eligible retirees; staff forecasts $1.3M annual savings
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Summary
The Calvert County Board of Education approved shifting Medicare‑eligible retirees to a CareFirst Medicare Advantage plan, which staff said will save the district about $1.3 million a year and provide comparable or enhanced benefits.
Sheldon Taylor introduced Zack Sewell, director of human resources, who proposed moving Medicare‑eligible retirees from supplemental plans to a district‑specific Medicare Advantage plan administered by CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield of Owings Mills. Sewell and benefits staff said the plan maintains high quality coverage, in many cases enhances benefits (hearing aid cost reductions, lower prescription out‑of‑pocket caps, a $0 primary‑care visit), and simplifies coverage by combining Medicare and supplemental coverage into a single plan card.
Staff said benefit consultants (Bolton Partners) estimated district savings of approximately $1,300,000 annually; Sewell said CareFirst and a partner, RetireeFirst, completed a disruption analysis and found about a 3% disruption rate among the district’s Medicare‑eligible retirees, which staff said equates to a small number of individuals who may need assistance transitioning prescriptions or providers. Sewell said RetireeFirst will assist retirees with transitions and work with providers to find alternatives when needed.
Board members asked about the scale of participants; staff said there are approximately 800 Medicare‑eligible retirees or dependents eligible for the plan. A board member expressed appreciation for the savings; during the vote one board member (speaker 1) abstained because they are a CCPS employee. The motion carried (tally reported as 3 yes, 1 abstain).
What happens next: staff said they will work with RetireeFirst to help affected retirees with the transition and to provide disruption support and outreach.