Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Healthcare Rates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Health Service Board approves 2015 rates across carriers, certifies 10‑county survey
Summary
The Health Service Board unanimously approved multiple 2015 rate and benefit packages for Blue Shield, Kaiser and city plans, certified the 10‑county survey for retiree premium calculations, and heard public concern about Blue Shields blended rates and transparency.
The Health Service Board voted unanimously to approve a package of 2015 insurance rates and benefit charts covering Blue Shield, Kaiser and the city PPO plans, and certified the boards 10‑county survey used to benchmark retiree premiums.
Director Catherine Dodd told the board the 10‑county average is calculated using the 10 most populous counties and said the analysis underpins the retiree premium figure. Aon Hewitt actuary Anil presented each carriers rate cards and explained methodological differences: Blue Shields Medicare Advantage rate is a blended MAPD/COB calculation while Kaisers Medicare Advantage rate is set with an expected annual CMS risk‑adjustment reconciliation. The board adopted the resolution certifying the 10‑county amount and approved each final rate card as presented.
Public commenters including Claire Zavonsky of RECCSF and SEIU West Bay retirees questioned Blue Shields underwriting assumptions and urged the vendor to reexamine what they called a high risk loading for the group plan. Board members asked staff to pursue clearer reconciliations or future reimbursement language where carriers provide year‑end credits or debits; several commissioners requested that reconciliation policies be an agenda item for 2016 Medicare rates.
Board votes were recorded as motion, second and unanimous voice votes for the minutes approval, the 10‑county certification resolution and each of the carrier rate approvals. No roll‑call tallies by name were recorded in the public transcript; minutes note that motions "passed unanimously" and "the ayes have it." The board also directed staff to report population and trend numbers for carrier pools next year and to explore whether reimbursement or reconciliation language should be negotiated with carriers.
The board moves next to implementation steps for the approved rates: staff will finalize plan documents, update open enrollment materials, and present any proposed contract language changes to the board for 2016 consideration.
