FY 2023 EXECUTIVE BUDGET AND GOVERNMENT INSURANCE RENEWAL AGREEMENTS APPROVED IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION
ST. THOMAS – The 34th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, led by Senate President Donna A. Frett-Gregory, convened into regular legislative session today at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall. Lawmakers considered bills for the Fiscal Year 2023 Executive Budget and heard testimony concerning insurance coverage for employees of the Government of the Virgin Islands.
2022-09-22 14:32:26 - VI News Staff
The body first convened into the Committee of the Whole to take testimony on the following:
• The Fourth Renewal of the Group Medical Health Insurance Agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, through the GESC/Health Insurance Board of Trustees, and Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company for Group Health Insurance (OLC No. 3260-2022)
• The Fourth Renewal for the Agreement for Medical Health Insurance between the Government of the Virgin Islands, through the GESC Health Insurance Board of Trustees, and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company for post-65 retirees (OLC No. 3261-2022)
• The Fourth Renewal of the Group Dental Health Insurance Agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, through the GESC/Health Insurance Board of Trustees, and Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company for Group Dental Insurance (OLC No. 3262-2022)
• The Second Renewal of the Agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, through the GESC/Health Insurance Board of Trustees, and Standard Insurance Company for Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (OLC No. 3264-2022)
• The First Renewal of the Agreement for Voluntary (Employee-Paid) Critical Illness, Accidental Injury and Hospital Care Insurance between the Government of the Virgin Islands, through the GESC/Health Insurance Board of Trustees and Life Insurance Company of North America for Voluntary (Employee-Paid) Critical Illness, Accidental Injury and Hospital Care Insurance (OLC No. 3265-2022)
• The Third Renewal of the Agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, through the GESC/Health Insurance Board of Trustees, and Standard Insurance Company for Group Vision Insurance (OLC No. 3266-2022)
Beverly Joseph, Chairperson of the GESC Health Insurance Board of Trustees delivered testimony on behalf of the board. According to Joseph’s testimony, when the employee, retiree, and government costs for all insurance coverages, including dental, vision, and life were included, it amounted to a 4% increase for the upcoming Fiscal Year. Joseph stated that “total cost” and “enrollment” figures usually exclude active employees of non-General Fund entities that are participants of the Government Employee’s Plan, such as the University of the Virgin Islands, The Virgin Islands Port Authority, the St. Thomas East End Medical Center, the Frederiksted Health Care Center, and the Virgin Islands Housing Authority. The Board is required to solicit competitive bids for the insurance program every five years and bids were last submitted for all benefits in 2011, in 2013 at the Board’s request, and 2018 for the 2019 Fiscal Year. Bids are scheduled to be solicited in 2023 for the 2024 Fiscal Year.