Arkansas’ state lawmakers on Wednesday completed action on eight bills that would make changes in state laws about the governing, financing and other matters regarding the state’s health insurance plans that cover more than 100,000 current and retired public school and state employees. The state Senate voted to send four of the bills to Gov.
EBD has updated the reimbursement process regarding purchasing at-home COVID-19 testing kits. Members must submit the following documentation: Health Advantage At-Home COVID-19 Testing Reimbursement Form Picture of the front of the test box. The picture must clearly show the brand name of the testing kit(s) Proof of payment (receipt from the purchase of the testing
At-home COVID-testing coverage Effective January 15, 2022, purchases of at-home COVID-19 test kits will be eligible for reimbursement. Per federal regulation, members are limited to eight at-home COVID-19 kits per month, per person. Beginning January 19, the federal government is making at-home tests available to the public at no-cost. You can order four (4) free COVID-19
by Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette January 15, 2022 Arkansas Gov. As a Hutchinson on Tuesday proposed a $194.6 million increase in the state’s general revenue budget to $6.04 billion in the fiscal year starting July 1, with most of the increase for public schools and human services programs. The Republican governor said his proposed
by Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette November 20, 2021 The Arkansas Legislative Council on Friday approved a consultant’s recommendations aimed at stabilizing funding and cutting costs for the health insurance plans for current and retired public school and state employees. The Segal Group consulting firm recommended that the state link future funding increases for the two
by Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette September 17, 2021 A consultant Thursday recommended annual increases in funding for health insurance plans for public school and state employees and retirees, with the state shouldering more of the future increased costs than the employees contribute. The rise in state funding needs to outpace future increases in employee premiums
by Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette July 24, 2021 The state Board of Finance’s recommendations for no changes in premiums next year for employees and retirees in the state’s health insurance plan for public schools won the approval of the Arkansas Legislative Council on Friday. The council also approved the board’s recommendations to cut a wellness
by Michael R. Wickline at Arkansas Democrat-Gazette July 21, 2021 A legislative panel on Tuesday endorsed the state Board of Finance’s recommendations for no changes in premiums next year for employees and retirees in the state’s health insurance plan for public schools. The committee also backed the board’s recommendations to cut a wellness credit for current
Written by Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette July 8, 2021 The State Board of Finance on Wednesday recommended no premium increases next year for current employees and retirees in the state’s health insurance plan for public school employees. The board also recommended cutting the wellness credit for current employees from $50 to $25 a month
Written by: Mike Wickline, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Some state Board of Finance members on Tuesday contemplated asking the Legislative Council for more money to put into the health insurance plan for public schools next year beyond the $35 million the council authorized on Friday. But the board stopped short of giving a recommendation to state lawmakers
Written by Max Brantley, Arkansas Times The state Board of Finance took up today the question of dealing with a $70 million shortfall expected next year in the public school employee health insurance program. It heard a variety of ideas about addressing the shortfall and was encouraged to consider a motion for the legislature to
Written by Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette June 18, 2021 The Arkansas Education Association’s executive director on Thursday called on lawmakers to tap $70 million of the state’s general revenue surplus to shore up the public school health insurance plan so as not to increase the costs to employees and retirees next year. The insurance