Volusia County Schools Switches to Curative for $153M Health Insurance Contract
The Volusia County School Board in Florida has approved a $153 million, three-year health insurance contract with Curative, a Texas-based provider. This contract covers 6,300 school district employees and marks a transition from the previous insurer, Florida Health Care Plan, due to rising costs. Curative offers plans with $0 premiums, copays, and deductibles for its lowest tier, emphasizing preventative care through a model that aims to reduce long-term healthcare expenses by encouraging early and regular health screenings. The contract change was unanimous among the School Board and insurance committee, despite some concerns about changing providers and the need for employees to find new doctors within Curative's network, which includes major regional health systems. The district will support the transition with care navigators and extended enrollment periods to assist employees.
Curative, which gained prominence by providing COVID-19 testing during the pandemic, is entering the health insurance market with a focus on making care more affordable and reducing financial barriers to primary care. The plan requires members to complete an annual "baseline visit" to maintain $0 out-of-pocket costs, which 98% of members reportedly fulfill. This approach aims to address issues such as high out-of-pocket costs leading to skipped medical care and medication non-adherence, factors that could increase long-term costs for both insurers and employees.
The Volusia County School Board's change was influenced by Florida Health Care Plan's proposed 20% premium increase after claims exceeding expected costs. The curated provider network includes around 1 million providers nationally and 427 locally. The transition includes an educational campaign with multiple locations hosting informational sessions for employees.
Industry experts note that while the switch presents challenges in employee support and continuity of care, Curative's model may improve insurance affordability and engagement through preventative health initiatives. The insurer promises dedicated local staffing to support Volusia employees alongside its network of care navigators accessible through various communication channels. The shift underscores the increasing demand among employers for innovative insurance solutions that address both immediate and long-term healthcare costs in a competitive market.