State College Board to Review Health Insurance Proposals

Health insurance costs for the State College Area School District could decline several hundred thousand dollars if it switches carriers next year, a district document shows.

School-board members are scheduled to review Monday several health-insurance proposals for medical and prescription-drug coverage. A draft on the district website shows total health-insurance costs could decline about $864,000, or nearly 6 percent, next year if the district switches from Capital BlueCross to HealthAmerica.

Costs would increase about 8 percent if the district sticks with Capital BlueCross, its current provider, the document indicates. Proposals from three other insurance providers include total cost increases ranging from 2.4 percent to 14.89 percent.

The figures outline overall expenses for health insurance in the district, including ‘health insurance that is paid for by individuals on COBRA or other direct-pay circumstances,’ Superintendent Robert O’Donnell wrote in a note to the board. ‘The district’s overall savings will be somewhat less than is reflected (in the total-cost figures) for that reason.’

More details are expected to unfold at the board meeting on Monday, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the school administration building, 131 W. Nittany Ave.

Other items on the meeting agenda, posted online, include a collective-bargaining agreement for district bus drivers, a budget analysis for special education, and a proposed job description for a new instructional-coach position. The meeting will be carried live on CETV, available via local cable on Channel 98.