News

Insurance website up for state workers, retirees

by Walter Pierce

A new website is up for Louisiana's state government employees and retirees to choose their health insurance plans for next year, a choice they must make by October.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -

Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration is reworking the insurance plans that cover 230,000 people through the Office of Group Benefits.

In recent months, the insurance program has been spending more each month than it is taking in. The changes are part of an effort to help stabilize program finances. Analysts say the changes will result in increased out-of-pocket costs and higher deductibles.

None of the 2015 insurance plans are exactly the same as current plans. Workers and retirees will have to choose new insurance options or get assigned to a plan.

The website includes decision guides and a cost calculator.