D60 to contract with Anthem [The Pueblo Chieftain, Colo.]

Nov. 28--As expected, Pueblo City Schools (D60) will change health insurance providers in January.

The school board on Tuesday night agreed to cancel the contract with Kaiser Permanente when it expires at the end of December.

The district, as discussed at an October meeting, will contract with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for services beginning Jan. 1.

A district committee formed to look into health insurance providers recommended Anthem to the board.

There were several issues with Kaiser's service that led to considering a different provider.

Among the issues were limited benefits for college students, laboratory claims not properly processed and Kaiser representatives not familiar with the Southern Colorado plan.

In an unrelated item, the board approved a contract with Strategic Resources West Inc. of Castle Rock to provide demographic and enrollment forecast services for the 2013-14 school

year. The information gathered from the survey will be used in developing the budget.

The contract cost is not to exceed $20,000.

The board also reviewed on first reading a change to district policy that would move the kindergarten entrance date to Oct. 1.

The change would allow for children who are age 5 by Oct. 1 to enroll in kindergarten that year. The current cutoff date is June 1.

The policy change must be approved by the board before it can be implemented. [email protected]

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