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Committee hears that health-insurance bids are sharply higher; staff to explore options
Summary
Staff said broker bids from Highmark and UnitedHealthcare were 'crazy' expensive and reportedly 'double' the city's current PEIA costs; the committee agreed to keep PEIA for the coming year and to research alternatives, with vision and dental plans locked for another year.
Staff member (S1) reported that the city's broker returned expensive insurance bids from major carriers. "It was crazy expensive," S1 said, noting that Highmark and UnitedHealthcare proposals were far higher than the current arrangement and that some responses "would, like, double PEI" in cost. Committee members observed that healthcare costs have risen significantly and flagged the need to budget for a large step increase; a committee speaker noted, "We're doing a 16%."
The committee agreed to remain with the current plan (PEIA) for now while staff explores alternatives and follows up with the broker. Staff also noted that vision and dental coverages are locked for another year. The discussion produced no vote; staff will report back with more detailed cost comparisons and vendor information (transcript shows vendor name variably transcribed as 'Pardo'/'Pargo' and requires confirmation).
