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Board approves Anthem as new carrier and 7% premium increases for upcoming plan year
Summary
The Rockwood R‑VI board approved switching medical/pharmacy benefits to Anthem effective Nov. 1, 2026, and accepted the insurance committee’s recommended premium increases (7% medical, 7% dental; no vision change). Staff described a transition plan and emphasized communications for retirees and affected employees.
The Rockwood R‑VI Board of Education voted to approve recommended employee benefit premiums and a vendor change for medical and pharmacy plans during its regular meeting.
District staff explained the administration selected Anthem as the medical and pharmacy carrier beginning Nov. 1, 2026. Presenters said approximately $23–25 million in plan spend will move to Anthem and that the district remains self‑insured. To help close a gap between costs and premiums, the administration recommended a 7% increase to medical premiums and a 7% increase to dental premiums; vision premiums were recommended to stay unchanged. Retirees who enroll will continue to pay 100% of their premiums, presenters said.
Board action: The motion to approve the recommended standard and essential plan premiums as recommended by the Rockwood Insurance Committee and administration passed by voice vote; the record shows the motion carried without a roll‑call tally.
Transition and communications: Staff described an outreach plan that includes an August 21 benefit fair (staff noted it will be at an Eureka High School location), targeted mailings and outreach to retirees, and back‑to‑school communications and meetings to ensure prior authorizations and continuity of care are preserved during the carrier change.
Why it matters: The change affects employees, dependents and retirees who use district plans and transfers plan administration to a new carrier while the district remains the plan’s risk holder. Staff said the premium increases are designed to better align premiums with plan costs and to provide time to monitor the new carriers’ performance.
Attribution: The presentation was provided by the district insurance team and the Rockwood Insurance Committee; the motion to approve premiums was made and seconded at the meeting and approved by voice vote.
