Bay District School Board Approves Health Insurance Premium Increase

PANAMA CITY, FL - The Bay District School board meeting held on October 24th, 2023, saw a significant decision being made concerning the school district's health insurance. In a move to address recent large payouts and the rising costs of health coverage, the board voted to approve "option 2," which involves a 10% increase in health insurance premiums. This increase will be fully shouldered by employees; however, it is accompanied by a substantial one-time annual contribution from the School District, estimated to be between $1.5 million and $2.2 million.

The decision to approve the premium increase comes as a response to the escalating expenses associated with health insurance coverage, a matter of concern for both employees and the school district.

Furthermore, the Health Insurance Committee, a crucial part of the decision-making process, will play an active role in the near future. Over the next 12 months, this committee will conduct an extensive evaluation of the current health insurance plans. The committee will explore alternative options that may prove to be more cost-effective while still providing quality coverage. The Health Insurance Committee's findings and recommendations will be presented to the Board for consideration before the next year's open enrollment period. This comprehensive approach to decision-making seeks to ensure that the school district continues to provide a high standard of healthcare coverage while managing costs responsibly.