On a vote of 10-1, the Group Insurance Board adopted a controversial plan to move state workers to self-funded health insurance plans, changing the way the state finances its $1.5 billion insurance program, according to a report in the Wisconsin State Journal. The state budget committee still needs to approve the change.
The change would reportedly save the state $60 million over the next two years, according to consultants hired by the state, and retain access to 98% of medical providers.
In Dane County, self-insured plans would be administered by Dean Health Plan, part of SSM Health, and Quartz, which includes Unity Health Plan.
If approved, the change would affect about 250,000 state and some local government employees, including about 100,000 in Dane County.
