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Employees prefer to stay with Anthem as school staff urge careful review of lower bids
Summary
A rapid staff survey showed most employees prefer to remain with Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield; staff recommended keeping Anthem for one year while studying a substantially lower bidder’s network and negotiated rates before making a change.
The Shenandoah County School Board heard March 23 that a rapid employee survey (387 responses) found most employees want to remain with Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield as the district’s health insurer even if employee contributions rise slightly.
Staff presented the survey findings and said 73% of respondents preferred remaining with Blue Cross Blue Shield and 68% favored keeping the top-tier plan’s $255 deductible rather than moving to a $500 deductible. Staff said the district pays roughly $11 million to Anthem annually and uses about $10.5 million in claims; presenters noted a lowest-cost bidder offered substantially lower charges to the district but may not participate in all current provider networks.
Miss Campbell (presenting) recommended staying with Anthem for the coming year while the district conducts a detailed analysis of what switching to the lowest bidder would mean for employees’ out-of-pocket costs and network access. The board asked staff to compare provider negotiated rates, network participation (presenters flagged that the lower bidder did not yet participate with some providers used by employees) and the plan-level effects before any change.
Board members agreed a careful, year-long review is appropriate rather than an immediate switch. Staff said the district will revisit the procurement next year after further negotiation and analysis.
