2008 Office of Group Benefits Open Enrollment Dates

The state Office of Group Benefits has scheduled state agency open enrollment meetings for the month of April.

Personnel from the Office of Group Benefits (OGB) will conduct meetings during the month of April (1-30) to educate state employees concerning insurance information for the fiscal year 2008/09.

For dates and times click here.

No Second Annual Open Enrollment

Chief Judge Ralph Tyson of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana has declared a new state law unconstitutional and issued a permanent injunction that prohibits the Office of Group Benefits from implementing it.

The ruling bars OGB from awarding additional contracts to Louisiana-based health maintenance organizations and ends preparations for a second annual enrollment period originally set to begin September 17, as mandated by Act 479.

The law was passed by the Louisiana Legislature and took effect July 19 when Gov. Kathleen Blanco signed it. Its constitutionality was subsequently challenged by UnitedHealthcare and Humana. The companies currently have contracts with OGB to administer health plans in all nine regions of the state for the 2007-08 plan year, which began July 1.

“As always, OGB will continue to operate in compliance with court mandates and state and federal laws, as we did this summer by preparing to implement Act 479,” noted Tommy D. Teague, OGB chief executive officer. “The judge’s decision means the month-long annual enrollment period for Medicare Advantage plans will take place as scheduled in November for plan members who have Medicare Part A and Part B. Any plan changes they choose to make will take effect January 1 on schedule. There will be no additional annual enrollment period for all OGB plan members.”

Federal judge expected to rule on OGB implementation of Act 479 following October 12 hearing

The Office of Group Benefits will delay implementing a second annual open enrollment period until a decision is rendered by a federal court to decide whether the agency will be required to contract with Louisiana-based companies to provide additional health insurance plans to state workers.

U.S. District Judge Ralph Tyson of the Middle District Court of Louisiana is expected to rule within 10 days on whether the Office of Group Benefits can legally implement Act 479, a new state law that took effect July 17. A hearing on the matter, which began September 14, concluded on October 12.

Both Humana and United Healthcare filed challenges in federal court to prevent implementation of Act 479, which took effect July 17. A September 10 temporary restraining order remains in effect until the ruling is issued. The order bars OGB from awarding additional contracts to Louisiana-based health insurance companies and suspends preparations for a second annual enrollment period originally set to begin September 17.

Authored by Rep. Charles McDonald of Monroe, Act 479 directs OGB to contract with up to three Louisiana-based insurance companies in each region to provide fully-insured HMO plans in addition to the self-insured EPO, PPO and HMO plans
OGB now offers.

The new law also directs OGB to reopen annual enrollment within 60 days. The additional 30-day enrollment period would give 138,000 state workers, school employees and retirees another chance to choose a health plan for the 2007-08 plan year, which began July 1.

It is possible OGB will not be able to implement Act 479 until a judgment is rendered by the court and any subsequent appeals are resolved,” noted Tommy D. Teague, OGB chief executive officer.
“If Act 479 is upheld, OGB will reopen annual enrollment, and changes in coverage will take effect January 1.”

Second Annual Open Enrollment?- Federal judge again extends order halting OGB implementation of Act 479; trial continued until October 11

The Office of Group Benefits will delay implementing a second annual open enrollment period until a decision is rendered by a federal court to decide whether the agency will be required to contract with Louisiana-based companies to provide additional health insurance plans to state workers.

At a September 25 hearing, U.S. District Judge Ralph Tyson again extended a September 10 temporary restraining order that bars the Office of Group Benefits from implementing Act 479 until he rules on the constitutionality of the new state law. Trial of the case, which began September 14, is scheduled to resume October 11 in the Middle District Court of Louisiana in Baton Rouge.

Both Humana and United Healthcare filed challenges in federal court to prevent implementation of Act 479, which took effect July 17. Judge Ralph Tyson extended an earlier restraining order that bars OGB from implementing the law pending further action by the court. Testimony is slated to resume on September 24.

Authored by Rep. Charles McDonald of Monroe, Act 479 directs OGB to contract with up to three Louisiana-based insurance companies in each region to provide fully-insured HMO plans in addition to the self-insured EPO, PPO and HMO plans OGB now offers.

The new law also directs OGB to reopen annual enrollment within 60 days. The additional 30-day enrollment period would give 138,000 state workers, school employees and retirees another chance to choose a health plan for the 2007-08 plan year, which began July 1.

It is possible OGB will not be able to implement Act 479 until a judgment is rendered by the court and any subsequent appeals are resolved,” noted Tommy D. Teague, OGB chief executive officer. If Act 479 is upheld, OGB will reopen annual enrollment, and changes in coverage will take effect January 1.”

Second Annual Open Enrollment?-Office of Group Benefits awaits ruling on Act 479 (HB 247) implementation after Federal Judge extends stay order

The Office of Group Benefits will delay implementing a second annual open enrollment period until a decision is rendered by a federal court to decide whether the agency will be required to contract with Louisiana-based companies to provide additional health insurance plans to state workers.

Both Humana and UnitedHealthcare filed challenges in federal court to prevent implementation of Act 479, which took effect July 17. Judge Ralph Tyson extended an earlier restraining order that bars OGB from implementing the law pending further action by the court. Testimony is slated to resume on September 24.

Authored by Rep. Charles McDonald of Monroe, Act 479 directs OGB to contract with up to three Louisiana-based insurance companies in each region to provide fully-insured HMO plans in addition to the self-insured EPO, PPO and HMO plans OGB now offers.

The new law also directs OGB to reopen annual enrollment within 60 days. The additional 30-day enrollment period would give 138,000 state workers, school employees and retirees another chance to choose a health plan for the 2007-08 plan year, which began July 1.

It is possible OGB will not be able to implement Act 479 until a judgment is rendered by the court and any subsequent appeals are resolved,” noted Tommy D. Teague, OGB chief executive officer.
“If Act 479 is upheld, OGB will reopen annual enrollment, and changes in coverage will take effect January 1.”

Second Annual Open Enrollment?-Office of Group Benefits awaits ruling on Act 479 (HB 247) implementation

The Office of Group Benefits will delay implementing a second annual enrollment period until a decision is rendered by a federal court to decide whether the agency will be required to contract with Louisiana-based companies to provide additional health insurance plans to state workers.

Both Humana and UnitedHealthcare filed challenges in federal court to prevent implementation of Act 479, which took effect July 17. Judge Ralph Tyson has scheduled a hearing on September 14.

Authored by Rep. Charles McDonald of Monroe, Act 479 directs OGB to contract with up to three Louisiana-based insurance companies in each region to provide fully-insured HMO plans in addition to the self-insured EPO, PPO and HMO plans OGB now offers.

The new law also directs OGB to reopen annual enrollment within 60 days. The additional 30-day enrollment period would give 138,000 state workers, school employees and retirees another chance to choose a health plan for the 2007-08 plan year, which began July 1.

It is possible OGB will not be able to implement Act 479 until a judgment is rendered by the court and any subsequent appeals are resolved,” noted Tommy D. Teague, OGB chief executive officer. “If Act 479 is upheld, OGB will reopen annual enrollment, and changes in coverage will take effect January 1.”