Governor Fletcher committed to creating consumer-driven health insurance

 FRANKFORT, KY:  The Commonwealth of Kentucky's Finance and Administration Cabinet, on behalf of the Department of Personnel, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to health insurance carriers interested in contracting the state's 2005 public employee health care coverage.

"As Governor, I am working to enhance Kentucky's health insurance market to bring back competition, which will ultimately lower rates and increase access to people all across the Commonwealth,” stated Governor Ernie Fletcher. "This will make Kentucky's employee health care a more competitive, consumer-driven system providing workers with sustainable coverage choices that will promote wellness, prevention and quality disease management.”

The standards required by this RFP will give state employees many levels of plan options and should make health care coverage more affordable. By focusing on wellness and disease management, the plans will empower patients through the choices they make regarding their own care.

"We’re hopeful that we will receive a number of competitive proposals in response to the RFP,” Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary Robbie Rudolph said. "We hope this leads to greater options and reduced health insurance costs for state employees in the coming years.”

The RFP solicits proposals from carriers on both a fully insured and self-funded basis. The RFP specifications move the health care coverage in the direction of consumer-driven models consistent with market trends. The state is soliciting more competitive proposals from carriers, which will provide the best value for public employees.

This request will allow the Commonwealth to evaluate appropriate health care coverage options for approximately 229,000 members, which include state government, public schools and retirees.

The RFP is for coverage effective Jan. 1, 2005, through Dec. 31, 2005. At the discretion of the Commonwealth, the contract may be renewed for 2006.

"The Department of Personnel believes all public employees should have access to a health care system that works for them and encourages wellness,” said Personnel Commissioner Bob Ramsey Sr. "This RFP will provide fairness in the system which we think will be appreciated by all state employees.”

The RFP can be accessed through the Commonwealth's e-procurement Web site at https://eprocurement.ky.gov/PrintSolDocTemp//2004120110231.doc

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