Board look a must on health plan bids

At a special meeting Monday, the board governing the health plans for public-school and state employees adopted a policy requiring the board’s approval before bid solicitations are issued for certain types of contracts.

The State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Board also approved the Jan. 22 issuance of a request for proposals for a company to help manage patient care.

The board’s actions came at the request of Bob Alexander, director of the state Department of Finance and Administration’s Employee Benefits Division.

Alexander said that Larry Walther, who took over as director of the department last month, asked about the board’s policy on reviewing requests for proposals from potential vendors.

The board previously didn’t have a policy outlining the board’s role, although board members often serve on committees that evaluate companies’ responses, Alexander said.

Arkansas Code 21-5-404 lists developing requests for proposals and evaluating the responses as among the board’s “powers, functions and duties.”

Under the policy adopted Monday, the board must approve any solicitations before they’re issued, and the solicitations must be provided to the board at least a month before the vote.

The board review is required only for contracts involving plan benefits.

Board member Shelby McCook said reviewing contracts that are expiring or coming up for renewal would help keep board members informed.

“I think it’s the responsibility of the board to review each time and see if the services are meeting our needs,” McCook said.