Comal ISD trustees approve switch to Aetna plan to stabilize employee health costs

Comal Independent School District trustees voted 6–0 June 25 to approve a recommendation to move the district’s employee medical and pharmacy coverage to Aetna and update stop‑loss arrangements, a bid consultants said will reduce the district’s financial risk and improve claims management.

The board heard a detailed presentation from consultants Betty Gwen and Ashley Gaspard of Gallagher and district staff about an RFP assessing medical carriers, pharmacy benefits and stop‑loss reinsurers. The consultants said the district’s prior pooled arrangement produced unexpected “cash calls” and that an integrated Aetna/CVS Caremark solution offers stronger rebates, immediate stop‑loss reimbursements and better chronic‑condition management.

“We want to ensure that the entity we are working with has the deepest discounts and manages our claims most effectively,” consultant Ashley Gaspard told trustees, outlining the firm’s scoring of bidders and the planning behind a proposed two‑plan structure to minimize employee disruption.

Trustees said they appreciated the district’s approach to budgeting and asked for additional detail on multi‑year fee projections. Trustee David Krasinski pressed presenters on projected fee increases across the three‑year model, noting the first‑year credits in the proposal and the need for clearer year‑to‑year estimates.

District staff said ongoing financial monitoring and reforecasts will be provided monthly to avoid surprises, and actuaries will estimate required reserves for run‑out claims. “We will do reforecasts throughout the year,” the consultant said, adding that the district should hold an estimated $5 million in reserve for run‑out claims.

The board formalized the policy change with a motion by Amy Shaw and a second; the motion passed 6–0. The administration will implement the contract and follow up with trustees on outstanding cash‑call recoveries from the previous carrier arrangement.