Board approves 2027 medical plan changes, staff recommends higher stop-loss threshold

The Lee's Summit R-VII board approved coverage and related contracts for the 2027 medical plan year with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City and Symmetry stop-loss coverage.

Staff described the proposed increase in district premium funding for an employee-only BlueSelect Plus plan and said that the recommended change in stop-loss coverage would move the district's individual stop-loss threshold from $250,000 to $350,000. Staff noted that increasing the stop-loss threshold would reduce administrative costs while exposing the district to higher claims: "So the motion is to increase that limit to $350,000," the staff presenter explained, adding that the change is recommended because it is cheaper for the district overall.

Staff also described that the district's current average per-employee monthly expenditure for health insurance is about $965 and that the proposed district contribution for the employee-only BlueSelect plan would be $1,044 per month. Board members asked clarifying questions about how costs would be split between district and employees for other plan tiers; staff said other plans would see increases with a roughly 75% district / 25% employee funding split on the targeted component.

The motion to approve medical coverage and related contracts passed on a voice vote as part of the decision items.