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Patrick County School Board presses insurer over care denials, outlines RFP timeline
Summary
Board members discussed a recent employee coverage issue they say delayed physician-recommended care, signaled reluctance to remain with an insurer perceived as restricting care, and were told an RFP for employee health insurance will produce initial proposals in January with a committee decision expected by March.
Board members raised concerns Dec. 18 about recent experiences with the district's employee health insurance plan and the possibility of changing carriers through a requested RFP process.
Superintendent Wood told the board about an employee who was told they had to wait for coverage for a physician-recommended procedure. "We do not feel that we want to be partnered with a health insurance that is dictating medical care," Wood said, and she said she expected a written response from Innovative Insurance about the episode.
The superintendent outlined the procurement timeline: the RFP is being advertised, initial proposals will be available for the board's first review in January, and the committee expects to recommend a path by March. Wood said any changeover could carry into the next fiscal year for open enrollment and that the committee would manage claim closeouts with the current provider if a new vendor were chosen.
Board members asked whether employees would accept paying higher premiums to retain access to out-of-county providers—several noted many staff seek care in neighboring North Carolina—and urged staff participation in the evaluation process. A board member also flagged prior provider transitions that had produced higher out-of-pocket costs for families for certain medications.
Why it matters: The choice of insurer affects employees' access to providers, potential out-of-pocket costs and the district's administrative workload around claims and transition. The board signaled it expects to weigh access to North Carolina providers in its decision.
Next steps: The superintendent said the RFP proposals will be available in January and the committee aimed to have a recommendation by March; the board did not take a final vote on carrier selection at the Dec. 18 meeting.
