Why did the ASRS contract with only 1 carrier?
The ASRS oversees and manages the health insurance contracts, however, it does not procure the contracts or manage the bid process. The State Procurement Office (SPO) has responsibility for the bid process. The SPO appoints various people to a Selection Committee that then review and evaluate all of the bids. Ultimately, the committee makes recommendations as to what organizations should be awarded contracts. This time, the recommendation was to award the medical coverage to PacifiCare. Awards were also made to Protective (formerly United) Dental and ScriptSave (a prescription drug discount company). I dont want PacifiCare to be my only choice. Although PacifiCare is the only choice for MEDICAL insurance through the ASRS, you should know that, depending on where you reside, you may be able to enroll in an HMO, Medicare HMO, Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Medicare Supplement or medical indemnity. Also, you always have the option of seeing what might be available to you outside o
