The Caddo Parish School Board Insurance & Finance Committee voted Nov. 11 to recommend a package of changes aimed at slowing sharply rising health-care costs for the district.

The committee recommended a 7.5% increase in self-funded plan premiums, required eligible future retirees and spouses to enroll in Medicare Part A and B (with federal-eligibility and IRMAA exceptions), required eligible retirees and spouses to enroll in a group Medicare Advantage plan, added a $100 specialty-drug copay and raised the emergency-room copay from $120 to $250. The motion was moved by Katie McLean, seconded by Mr. Adebayo and passed unanimously by electronic vote.

Why it matters: Director of Insurance Lillian Hooper told the committee that prescription spending and a small number of high-cost claims are key drivers of the district's rising costs. "We have 958 members using GLP-1 medications costing $8,400,000 — that's 16% of the total Rx claims," Hooper said, noting retirees accounted for roughly $4.4 million of that. Hooper warned that, without changes, the district's projected cost for the 2026-27 plan year could rise from about $107 million to $133 million.

The recommended Medicare Advantage option is a group plan Blue Cross Blue Shield will administer; Hooper described it as an open PPO with no deductible or coinsurance for many services and additional benefits such as dental, vision, a hearing-aid allowance and a quarterly $50 flex card. "This is a group Medicare Advantage Plan ... no deductible, no coinsurance, no co-pay," Hooper said, adding that the plan was designed so members could see doctors nationwide.

Hooper also recommended a $100 specialty-drug copay to reduce the district's exposure to very expensive medicines. She said specialty drugs make up about 2% of prescriptions but roughly 46% of prescription spending, citing total Rx spend figures for the district.

Board members pressed staff on how the retiree requirement would operate for people who lack Medicare eligibility through their own earnings. Hooper answered that federal rules require 40 quarters of Medicare payroll contributions for automatic eligibility; staff also said they would meet individually with retirees to determine eligibility and exceptions. "If there's anybody who's unsure ... we can sit down with them," Hooper said.

Public commenters at the meeting urged the board to consider affordability for retirees and current employees. Visitor John Glover said he had switched off Blue Advantage after finding it "gave me less," and Jordan Thomas, president of Red River United, said repeated insurance increases without permanent pay raises risk staff retention: "We need a raise, not just a promise of one." The committee record shows staff offered to provide a dedicated website page and to meet with employees and retirees to answer questions.

What happens next: The committee moved the recommendation to the full Caddo Parish School Board. The committee chair said the recommendation "passes unanimously;" the full board will consider the package at a future public meeting.

Notes: The committee document and presentation materials cited national health-care trend rates and local plan figures; the district plans limited exceptions for retirees not eligible for Medicare or those subject to IRMAA higher premiums. The motion text recorded at the meeting was read into the record and is included with the committee recommendation.