Delaware will not implement Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware's Medicare Advantage plan for 2023, after a judge sided with state retirees opposed to the plan, the Delaware News Journal reported.
The state's Employee Benefits Committee awarded Highmark the three-year contract to administer benefits for state employees in February. It was set to take effect in January 2023.
The Employee Benefits Committee voted Oct. 24 to keep the state's current plan for public retirees for another year, according to the Delaware News Journal.
A judge temporarily blocked the plan from going into effect Oct. 20.
Retiree advocacy group RiseDelaware opposed the Medicare Advantage plan. The group filed a lawsuit against the state, arguing that the state's pension benefit committee did not adequately collect input from lawmakers and retirees.