Question: Do any other jurisdictions' school systems have a shared health insurance pool with their city or county? (Councilwoman Greene)

Response: 

Prince William County has an arrangement that they can partner with Prince William County Schools and Prince William Water. They come together with their benefits consultant who acts as a go-between for their Health, Dental and Vision vendors. They bid medical, dental and vision together and currently use the same plans. 

Fairfax County does not participate in a shared health insurance pool with Fairfax County Public Schools. Although they do utilize the services of some of the same vendors, they operate independently of each other. 

Arlington County Government (ACG) and Arlington Public Schools (APS) do not currently engage in such an arrangement. Over 10 years ago, ACG and APS did a joint RFP for medical and dental insurance coverages. While they were able to complete the bidding process, it was not without challenges. APS had unique contractual language they had to include – which was limiting to ACG.  They also realized the needs of their groups had some significant differences: ACG had first responders that they wanted special services for, APS did not; ACG wanted onsite clinical services; APS did not; APS had restrictions about insurance representatives (e.g. education personnel) being onsite because of child protection issues; ACG did not. Neither walked away thinking there was a significant financial gain from the joint procurement. The next time they went out to bid, it was not together. 

Loudoun County Government does not share resources or participate in a shared pool with Loudoun County Public Schools. 

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