Harlingen school board approves $1.2M health plan

HARLINGEN — Health insurance costs are going to up for many of the school district's employees.

As part of a move to offset last year's $5.3 million shortfall, the school board's new $21.2 million self-insured employee health insurance policy's preferred provider organization plan includes steeper employee deductions.

"This is the first step to a very different way of how we're going to lean into our heart for people," Superintendent Veronica Kortan said during a special meeting Sept. 16. "We are on a mission to make sure, collectively and with our partners in our community … to make sure we're going to do our part in creating healthier lifestyles for our students, for employees and beyond that in our community"

Through Oct. 5, officials are meeting with employees to outline the Blue Cross Blue Shield plan while fielding questions.

"Our goal, and the administration, is to ensure that proper communication is made to all of our staff members so they are fully aware of what the design changes are and be there for them if they have questions," Ida Ambriz, the district's assistant superintendent for business services, told board members during the meeting.

During the meeting, board members extended the district's plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield, including a Blue Essentials health maintenance organization plan and a Blue Choice preferred provider program taking effect Jan. 1.

The board's decision comes after the district's rising employee health insurance claims led to a $5.3 million shortfall during the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

"In reaction to that, we have been studying and looking at possible evaluations and various plans … and premium options for the 2027 plan year to help improve the financial sustainability of the district's self-funded health plan," Ambriz told board members.

In July, officials boosted the district's per-employee contribution to the plan from $502.18 to $577.51, the meeting agenda's information states.

"The options under consideration include changes to plan design, deductibles, co-pays, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximums, pharmacy benefits, including the pharmacy drug list and employee premium rates," it states.

As part of the new PPO plan, employee deductions are going up.

While employees insured as individuals will continue not being charged monthly deductions under the new HMO, they'll pay $140 monthly deductions under the new PPO.

Under the new HMO, employees insured with their spouses will continue to pay monthly deductions of $556.99, while they'll pay monthly deductions of $856 under the new PPO.

For employees insured with their children, they will continue to pay monthly deductions of $455.40 under the new HMO, while they'll pay monthly deductions of $680 under the new PPO.

While employees insured with their families will continue to pay monthly deductions of $758.99 under the HMO, they'll pay monthly deductions of $1,130 under the new PPO.

Meanwhile, benefits including individual out-of-pocket maximums and family out-of-pocket maximums are also increasing.

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