Teachers with children will see premiums rise from $523 to $1269 (up 140 percent), and state employees will have premiums increase from $558 to $928 (up 75 percent), according to KFOR.
Sterling Zearley, Oklahoma Public Employees Association executive director, said previous hikes have been single-digit percentage increases, with this year’s price hikes being “unprecedented.”
The Office of Management and Enterprise Services said neither it nor Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma could find data to justify the increases, according to KFOR. As a result, the office restricted the plan for new members.
“Oftentimes, changes in medical costs and utilization, for example, may impact our members’ premiums and out of pocket costs,” the insurer told KFOR. “The rates Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma submitted to the State were competitive and in line with actuarial recommendations to sustain the group.”
