Caddo Parish committee backs 7.5% premium increase, mandates Medicare enrollment for eligible future retirees

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…