The New Jersey State Health Benefits Commission, which regulates the state health benefits program, this month approved rate changes, effective January 2007, for school districts in the state plan. The changes include an 11.9 percent increase in the traditional plan; a 5.1 percent increase in NJ Plus, a managed-care option; and an 8.1 percent decrease in the prescription plan.

For school districts using the prescription plan, employee co-payments will increase to the same levels as those paid by state employees—for example, $3 for generic and $10 for brand name for a 30-day supply.  For school employees in NJ Plus and other managed-care options, co-pay for each doctor office visit will increase to $10, the rate currently in effect for state employees.

Flexibility Proposed  At the Sept. 5 meeting, the commission also initiated rule changes that would give school districts the flexibility to negotiate some cost-control provisions at the local level.

The proposed changes, however, are at a preliminary stage. If adopted, they would not go into effect until next year.  The proposed amendments will appear in the next issue of the New Jersey Register, a compilation of proposed state regulations.