School District Chooses New Insurance Carrier

The Board of Education voted Monday to change insurance carriers from Oxford to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, effective July 1.

According to Board Member Jill Weber, the Finance and Facility Committee's insurance broker advised the committee to switch their carrier.

"He's recommending that the district switch to Horizon from Oxford," Weber said. "Horizon's benefits are equal to or better than our current plan, with an extremely short list of exceptions."

The plan will include medical and prescription drug insurance policies for all fulltime district employees.

Horizon also has four possible tiers of coverage, including a high deductible plan which Weber said is a popular choice for many, and one not currently offered under the district's plan with Oxford.

The broker from Brown & Brown Benefit Advisors, Inc., Jim Finn, gave a comprehensive presentation to the committee based on the district's current coverage plan and a proposal dated April 16 from Horizon.

The board also voted to select Brown & Brown as the board's broker-of-record for the Horizon program. The firm will be authorized to act on the board's behalf on all matters related to the new insurance plan.