After this year’s increase in health care expenses for thousands of state employees, the State of Iowa’s next health insurance contract does NOT include an increase in out-of-pocket expenses for state workers.

That’s Department of Administrative Services director Janet Phipps. Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is providing coverage to about 21-thousand state workers this year. Wellmark was the only company to submit a bid to provide health insurance for state employees in 2019 and 2020.

Last year, about 54-thousand state employees and their dependents got health care coverage through the state. In 2016, state employees paid 20 dollars a month for single AND family health insurance plans. After collective bargaining changes Republicans made in 2017, that monthly fee was doubled for to 40 dollars for individual in-state health insurance plans and 150 dollars a month for an in-state family plan. A more expensive national option was available as well.