If you missed coverage or want a quick recap of this ongoing story so important to FUSD retirees, take a look at these 5 takeaways and what’s next.
The Fresno Bee has provided ongoing coverage of the abrupt and complex changes to Fresno Unified School District retirees’ healthcare this month. What comes next could reshape the district’s benefit plans for years ahead.
- Losing coverage: Over 6,000 Fresno Unified retirees lost access to Community Medical Centers and Community Health Partners due to a contract dispute between Aetna and the provider as of Jan. 1.
- Insurance switch: Retirees said the disruption was a result of a controversial 2023 shift from Fresno Unified’s self-funded PPO plan combined with the traditional Medicare to a for-profit Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan, leading to complaints of restricted provider networks and increased claim denials.
- Broken promise? Retirees said the switch broke the district’s promise of lifetime health benefits, which had been a major part of their collective bargaining agreements.
- No guarantees: Partial services at Community Health System were restored for retirees during ongoing negotiations, but the restoration only covers till mid-February.
- Compromise? Fresno Unified’s health board was under pressure to resolve the complaints by adding a third healthcare option—a plan similar to the coverage prior to 2023—effective January 2027 for retirees.
What’s next: Retirees will have a new health insurance option beginning January 2027, with details and costs still being finalized. Meanwhile, ongoing negotiations between Aetna and Community Health System may impact retirees’ immediate access to the largest network of local healthcare providers…