Health costs threaten to swamp Hillsborough school district's budget Tampabay.com
TAMPA — Employees of the Hillsborough County school system may see changes to their health care coverage in the coming year, as the district grapples for ways to balance the budget without layoffs, officials said Tuesday.
Soaring claim costs mean the district would pay around $29 million more just to keep the existing Humana policy as it is, benefits manager Deborah Henry told the board at a workshop.
Including other budget gaps, that would create a shortfall of at least $37 million in the district's projected $1.3 billion budget for next year, which must be balanced under Florida law.
"I just cannot come up with a version that is not painful," Henry said, reviewing possible ways to save money on the health care benefit.
Board members weighed those options, including raising deductibles, encouraging the use of mail-order prescriptions, and publicizing a new service that allows patients to seek a second opinion on diagnoses.
"I do favor a higher deductible," said member Jennifer Faliero, describing her personal coverage preference. "Because it makes the plan more affordable."
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