Huntley Community School District 158’s health‑insurance committee presented recommended benefit renewals for 2026 and recommended keeping Blue Cross Blue Shield as the medical carrier while making plan-design changes intended to produce cost savings.

Dr. Zier (committee lead) said initial broker guidance suggested switching to Aetna for savings, but committee members and district leadership decided to pursue savings while maintaining Blue Cross Blue Shield. To achieve analogous savings the committee recommended changes to plan designs — primarily adding or adjusting deductibles and co‑pays in the Blue Advantage HMO — rather than moving carriers. Committee members said that approach reduces disruption while yielding approximately a 15% aggregate increase in plan cost overall from high‑cost claims and prescription drug spend.

On dental, Alliant (the broker) delivered a late proposal: Aetna offered lower dental rates than the district’s incumbent (MetLife), and committee staff said the Aetna dental plan would reduce employee premiums and include a 5.5% rate cap for 2027. Administration said it would correct and circulate final rate sheets to the committee and present the recommended renewals at the next board meeting for consent approval.

Committee members noted contractual constraints — for example, the district’s negotiated contract language that sets the board contribution percentages for single, employee-plus-one, and family coverage — limits how much the district’s share can be changed without bargaining-unit negotiations. Dr. Zier said the committee will continue evaluating options, including potential participation in a regional insurance cooperative (NYHIP), as a longer‑term strategy to contain rising cost.

Why it matters: Health‑insurance premiums and plan design changes affect employee take‑home pay and district budget forecasts. The committee’s recommended approach balances cost containment with minimizing disruption for employees.

What’s next: Administration will finalize rate sheets reflecting the late dental proposal, circulate them to the committee, and present the recommended benefit renewals for board action at the next meeting.