Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Employee Benefits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bozeman schools say $40 million released to Bridal Health Alliance; contracting with Bozeman Health still under negotiation
Summary
District staff reported that the state‑qualified trust for the Bridal Health Alliance has received $40,000,000 and an interim executive director has been named, but local contracting with Bozeman Health remains under negotiation and the board will decide whether to proceed or remain self‑funded.
Casey, speaking for district staff, told trustees on April 13 that two of three contingencies tied to the board’s conditional approval to join the Bridal Health Alliance have been satisfied: the district has received requested contracts and pricing documentation, and the state auditor has qualified the trust, leading to a $40,000,000 release to the alliance.
Casey said John Duran was named interim executive director and has begun hiring and setting up the organization in Helena, but cautioned that the key remaining step is successful contracting between the alliance (and its third‑party administrator, Allegiance) and local hospital systems, including Bozeman Health.
“We know that there there has to be some sort of drop‑dead date in this process, because, if Bridal is plan A, we also need plan B,” Casey told the board, noting that plan B for the district would be to remain self‑funded. He said the district needs evidence of successful contracting by early May so the health insurance committee can make a recommendation and the board can decide whether to move forward.
Casey added that Bridal and Allegiance have proposed a multiple‑of‑Medicare contract structure and that Bozeman Health is willing to discuss a multiple‑of‑Medicare approach but is negotiating details and pay‑matrix items. The district’s renewal is in September, and the Bridal renewal process begins in May and June, giving staff a narrow window for decisions.
Trustees asked for clarity on who makes the final decision; Casey said the health insurance committee will recommend to the board and the board of trustees will ultimately decide. Trustee Gary Lucine thanked staff for the update and asked questions about hospital positions; no final action was taken at the meeting.
