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PERS outlines state health plan history, member programs and RFP timeline ahead of 2027 contract
Summary
PERS officials told the Employee Benefits Committee the state has paid family health insurance since 1979, reviewed member wellness programs and said an RFP for the 2027–29 biennium will be released June 1, 2026; officials warned legislative coverage changes raise future premiums and noted recent mandate costs were covered from reserves.
Derek Holbein, chief operating and financial officer for the Public Employees Retirement System, told the Employee Benefits Committee that the Uniform Group Insurance Program dates to the 1960s and that, "since 1979 through today, the state actually has paid the entire family paid health insurance on behalf of state employees." He walked members through decades of plan changes and said PERS has used tools such as formularies, network steering and higher deductibles to control costs.
Holbein described member-facing programs that PERS uses to lower long-term costs and encourage healthy behavior: a diabetes management program with copayment reimbursement, a high‑risk…
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