Sweet Springs Board of Education discussed health insurance policy options at its regular meeting Thursday, May 8.

Superintendent Boyd Jones said for the first time in recent memory the district has a competitive bid from someone other than Forrest T. Jones.

Forrest T. Jones has provided Anthem insurance for several years. To keep the current plan the district has with Forrest T. Jones, the price would increase by $35,706.84.

"Prices rose substantially this year," Jones said.

This plan has a $2,500 deductible, $30 co-pay for doctor's office, a $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum and a few other details.

The district received bids to go with Humana insurance from three companies. Benefits Design, Inc., Bukaty Agency and a company that Kirk Doris moved to.

"We pay all of our insurance premiums for our employees," Jones said. "I think it is a very big mistake to quit funding 100 percent of the policy."

Benefits Design is owned by the same person who owns First Community Bank in Sweet Springs. The figures the district received from Benefits Design were the ones Doris calculated prior to leaving the company. Doris now works for another company. He is submitting bids under that company, which has not been disclosed.

Bukaty Agency offered the district 59 different plans and can give the district more if they ask.

Jones said the important thing about Humana is that they offer the same services Forrest T. Jones does. For example, when a problem occurs it goes directly through the insurance agency and they handle any problems that might arise and do the significant amount of paper work on the district's behalf.

Humana offered a plan almost identical to the current Anthem plan the district carries. This plan's co-pay is $10, but the pharmacy cost is a little higher, Jones said.

"The typical Sweet Springs employee will have no problem," he said about doctors accepting Humana. "Humana is very invested in the area."

Jones said it is his understanding that the employees would rather have a lower deductible than lower co-pay.

"Nobody is concerned with paying $20 or $30," he said. "A lower deductible is what they want."

Vice President John Dohrman and member Troy Schroeder made the motion to accept the plan based on the employees recommendation; the board was unanimous.

The plan the board decided to adopt has a deductible of $1,500, co-pay of $30 and out-of-pocket expense of $2,000. This plan will cost the district $181,275.24.

This is about a $6,000 increase from the plan the district is currently paying.

"A $6,000 increase is nothing," Jones said. "Most schools would be thrilled with that."

Jones said it is very possible the district might have to change the plan concerning the deductible next year. It all depends on how sick the employees get. Last year, the number of employees sick increased severely from past years, he said.

"I'm sure these guys are low-balling us, but let's take advantage," Dohrman said.

After several more minutes of conversation, the board approved allowing Bukaty to be the insurance provider.

Jones was concerned with going with either Benefits Design or the company Doris was offering because of a possible suit the district could get caught up in, regarding Doris submitting the proposal for Benefits Design and then moving on and submitting bids for another company.

"You got a little mud in the water concerning Kirk Doris," Jones said. Plus, Bukaty represents several schools throughout Missouri and comes highly recommended. Jones has called several of the schools on the list and got positive feedback from them.

Jones is unaware of either Benefits Design or the company with Doris already providing insurance with any other school.

The district will get a good comparison of apples to apples when talking to schools, according to Jones.

Doug Vogelsmeier and Brian Vogelsmeier moved to accept Bukaty Agency as the insurance provider; the board was unanimous.

Contact Rachel Harper at marshallcity@socket.net