Broken Arrow City Council
Meeting of: December 16, 2025
Title:
title
Approval of and authorization to execute a revised Benefit Program Application (ASO BPA) with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS of Oklahoma), changing the definition of retiree, and adopting the revised Plan Document, effective January 1, 2026
End
Background:
The City provides a comprehensive health plan for its employees and eligible dependents. Since 1989, the City's plan has been self-insured. With this concept, the City contracts with a third-party administrator (TPA) to administer the plan and pay claims. In September 2025, the governing body approved a change to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma for third party administration and network services, which included adoption of the Plan Document and Summary Plan Description, effective January 1, 2026.
The Insurance Advisory Committee meets routinely throughout the year to discuss recommended plan changes. In November, the Insurance Advisory Committee met to discuss the definition of Retiree. For historical purposes, once an employee met the definition of retiree under the Plan, the Retiree and eligible dependents could stay on the Plan past the age of 65 and Medicare eligibility.
The Insurance Advisory Committee discussed changing the Plan Document definition of Retiree to mean an employee who has worked for the Employer for seven years, is covered under this Plan at the time of retirement, and elects to continue coverage under this Plan immediately upon retirement. The term "Eligible Retiree" shall also mean a retiree who has been disabled due to a line-of-duty injury while employed with the City and is unable to continue similar employment with the City and elects to continue coverage under this Plan immediately upon retirement. Retiree shall only be eligible to participate in the Plan until the Retiree becomes eligible for Medicare. If a Retiree becomes eligible for Medicare and is no longer eligible to continue on the Employer P...
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