IDAHO FALLS - The State Board of Education approved a proposal by the University of Idaho to move to a self-funded insurance plan for its employees.
University officials say the self-funded program would save the institution more than $750,000 a year. The University will contract Blue Cross and Delta Dental to handle all claims administration. Under the plan, the university will cover the cost of claims up to $150,000. Claims more than $150,000 for individuals and total claims exceeding 115 percent of projected claims will be covered by stop-loss insurance.
“Many companies and cities in Idaho have found self-insurance plans to be a cost effective way to manage health care costs while still providing quality care,” said State Board of Education President Rod Lewis. “The University of Idaho provided a thorough, well thought-out plan that the Board believes will assist the University in meeting the needs of its employees.”
The Board also approved Lewis-Clark State College’s request to purchase three homes near campus for $460,000.
To celebrate LCSC as the upcoming host of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Baseball Championship, President Dene Thomas donned a baseball shirt to advertise the tournament held in Lewiston from May 27 to June 3.
Chairman of the Pay for Performance Committee Reed Demourdant updated the Board on the committee’s progress. Demourdant told Board members pay for performance is an issue districts and states throughout the country are working to implement, with several successful systems currently in place. The committee is continuing to work on a pay for performance plan and hope to pilot a system once the committee has approved a plan.
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