Published:
Oregon Educators Benefit Board Creates First Single Insurance Purchasing Pool Following State Mandate
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a
leading provider of managed care market intelligence, reports that the Oregon
Educators Benefit Board has awarded three-year contracts for medical and
pharmaceutical coverage to Providence Health Plans, Kaiser Northwest and ODS
Health Plan, along with Willamette Dental for dental care. The contracts are
the result of a 2007 law that created a mandatory insurance pool for school
districts starting October 2008. According to the latestOregon and Washington
Health Plan Analysis, these awards will change the landscape of theOregon
health plan market as the state's largest insurer, Regence BlueCross
BlueShield ofOregon, was not included in the contract.
According to the report, Regence BlueCross BlueShield will likely lose
about 100,000 members as current members move to the new Oregon Educators
Benefit Board plans.
This is the first time the Board has created a single purchasing pool.
Through this plan, beginning on October 1, 2008, the Board will provide
medical, dental and vision benefits for more than 65,000 school and education
service district employees and their dependents, totaling an estimated 165,000
covered members.
"As the first such pool to be developed, it should receive significant
scrutiny not only from stakeholders inOregon, but throughout the country,"
said Don Mooradian, analyst with HealthLeaders-InterStudy and author of the
report. "As public entities continue to look for ways to control spending, the
Board's move will likely be monitored by public agencies outside the state
looking for healthcare cost-saving solutions."
The Board awarded contracts after reviewing multiple factors, including
cost, price transparency, partnership opportunity and alignment with Board
objectives. Four separate request for proposals were distributed: one each for
medical, dental, vision and pharmacy benefits. After reviewing 30 proposals,
the Board selected carriers that enabled them to meet their plan design and
cost comparability requirements, and maximize administrative efficiencies.
About Health Plan Analysis
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provides a detailed look at plan design and financials, as well as information
about mergers, legislation and other influencers driving healthcare in a
particular region.
About HealthLeaders-InterStudy
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authoritative source for managed care data, analysis and news. For more
information, please visit www.HealthLeaders-InterStudy.com.
About Decision Resources, Inc.
Decision Resources, Inc. is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers
best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the
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decisions. Please visit Decision Resources, Inc. at
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For more information, contact:
Lisa Osgood Elizabeth Marshall
HealthLeaders-InterStudy Decision Resources, Inc.
781-296-2606 781-296-2563
losgood@hl-isy.com emarshall@dresources.com
SOURCE HealthLeaders-InterStudy
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