Health care services in California generally, and the Bay Area specifically, continue to deteriorate. Numerous smaller Independent Practice Associations (IPAs) in surrounding counties continue to close. The Health Plan of the Redwoods, for example, has terminated all coverage in Sonoma County. Lifeguard is also closing in Santa Clara County effective December 31, 2002.
The picture for retirees is even worse as Medicare Plans terminate coverage altogether or introduce significant changes in premiums or co-pays. Blue Shield remains one of the few providers that offers national, even international coverage.
Because of the significant changes made during the past several years in co-pays for both the active employee and retiree plans, the Labor-Management-Retiree Committee recommended no co-pay changes this year. An attached letter from Blue Shield confirms that benefits will remain unchanged except for those changes mandated by Blue Shield.
Blue Shield is being recommended for continuation without a formal request for proposal process because: · They were initially selected in a Labor-Management-Retiree Request for Proposal process that specifically conformed to the County's previous self-funded plan, · No new options have arisen which would represent comparable design, less cost or less disruption of patient-physician relationships and · Labor requested the continuation of Blue Shield without changes in co-payments. The Blue Shield agreement includes the non-discrimination language and Equal Benefits Ordinance requirements. |