Board awards employee health plan administration contract to Anthem

The Washoe County School District Board on June 23 voted to award third‑party administrator (TPA) services for its self‑funded employee health insurance plan to Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nevada for an initial five‑year term (Jan. 1, 2027–Dec. 31, 2031) at an estimated contract value of $15,569,289.12.

Benefits manager McKenzie Howen described the procurement goals: "WCSD runs a health insurance plan that is self‑funded," she said, and the RFP aimed to ensure the district’s current TPA continues to deliver strong value to plan members. Andrea Sullivan, senior director of supply chain management, said the process included a broad evaluation committee with representation from bargaining units, HR, finance, legal and outside consultants: "This was a very thorough, formal RFP process."

Staff said the district sought vendors who could administer medical, prescription and dental benefits, manage eligibility for roughly 12,000 covered lives and provide robust claims administration, data reporting and integration with other systems including Oracle. The committee assessed proposals on price, financial stability, employee customer service, TPA services, data and reporting, and vendor integration; Anthem was the unanimous top choice of the evaluation committee.

Trustees pressed staff on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) relationships and member protections. Trustee Smith described a prior member experience with specialty drug access and asked whether district oversight would prevent formulary or pharmacy changes from jeopardizing patient outcomes; benefits staff said contract language and the RFP process provide oversight mechanisms and will be monitored as part of the benefits partnership.

Trustee Nicolet moved to award RFP No. 89‑P‑02‑26‑LR to Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield; Vice President Woodly seconded. The motion passed unanimously.