Seminole County schools to dump UnitedHealthcare

Dave Weber | Sentinel Staff Writer
March 25, 2009

SANFORD - With its current carrier demanding an 18 percent increase in premiums, the Seminole County School Board agreed Tuesday to find another company to provide coverage.

The board unanimously accepted Superintendent Bill Vogel's recommendation that the district get rid of UnitedHealthcare and seek bids from another company.

An employee committee had the same recommendation last week, complaining that the insurance was too expensive. Few of the district's more than 8,000 employees and retirees can afford family coverage, which is $10,533 a year for the least expensive plan including drugs through Walgreens.

UnitedHealthcare representatives have said they aren't making any money on the district and need $45 million to keep the policy for another year.

The current policy continues until Nov. 1. But officials say they might be rushed to get a new one in place by then.

The request for bids approved by the board calls for a package of health insurance, prescription drugs, life insurance and disability coverage.

While they are hoping for a better deal, members of the employee committee and school-district officials say they are uncertain what the bids may bring. They are bracing for possibly higher deductibles and higher fees for office visits, among other changes.

There also has been discussion that employees might have to contribute toward the cost of their policies, although that would have to be negotiated with employee unions.

The board now pays for individual employee coverage, with workers picking up costs for family members if they are added to the plan.
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