CIS Benefits

Leveraging Partnerships to Control Costs

Striving to Manage Healthcare Costs Through Strategic Partnerships

2024 presented both challenges and triumphs for CIS Benefits as we worked to navigate the rising costs of health care while continuing to provide exceptional services and value to our members. Guided by a commitment to managing costs, our team’s efforts have reinforced the strength of the CIS Benefits program, which supports over 12,000 covered employees across Oregon.

Health care costs have continued to rise nationwide, creating significant financial pressures for local governments. At CIS, our size and scale enable us to negotiate better rates and more comprehensive services than individual cities or counties could achieve independently. While a city or county with 100 to 200 employees might face steep costs in securing quality benefits, CIS leverages its collective membership to secure highly competitive rates and robust plans that prioritize affordability and innovation.

This year, those efforts were bolstered by strategic initiatives like the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, which ensures members receive the best coverage, products, and services at the best possible cost.

STRATEGIC BIDDING PROCESSES BRING RESULTS

The RFP process played a pivotal role in securing value for CIS members in 2024.

According to CIS Benefits Director Mike Beyrouty, the RFP approach integrates a thorough evaluation of vendor qualifications and proposals, enabling CIS to attract and partner with best-in-class providers. He added that our robust RFP process has served members well.

“We did an RFP process for life and long-term disability plans and were able to guarantee a five-year rate hold — and a reduction on some prices depending on the coverage,” said Mike.

We also increased the guaranteed issue amount for employees and for spouses, for life insurance and the maximum benefit.

“Because we negotiated successfully, The Hartford upped the maximum benefit for an employee — up to $1,000,000; and spouse — up to $500,000,” said Mike.

By negotiating effectively, CIS locked in rates for five years, reduced costs for specific coverage levels, and increased guaranteed issue amounts — all significant wins for members. This is a strong testament to the value that CIS Benefits provides through collective purchasing power — and our ability to secure deals that would be unattainable for smaller groups.

CIS Benefits Seeks Additional RFPs to Secure Best Employee Benefits Program for Members

From time to time the Benefits team creates an RFP for Healthcare Administration to evaluate the marketplace for the best partner — and to ensure our members have to best-in-class services and pricing. This RFP also ensures that we have access to innovative solutions, while constantly working to control medical costs.

After a robust bidding process, we are very pleased to announce Regence was selected to continue providing CIS with exceptional Healthcare Administration.

But we didn’t stop there. Most recently, we used the RFP process in addressing critical member concerns, including the need for improved pharmacy benefits.

“Our pharmacy benefit manager, Express Scripts, lost Kroger as an in-network option, impacting about 10% of our prescription refills,” explained CIS Benefits Director Mike Beyrouty. “When it became clear this issue couldn’t be resolved within the existing framework, we went out to bid to find a better solution for our members.”

The result of the competitive process was a new vendor partnership with Regence. Effective in 2025, Regence will restore access and deliver improved outcomes. This is very good news because Kroger is in Regence’s network.

SUPPORTING MEMBERS THROUGH EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT

2024 saw the rollout of several initiatives aimed at better educating members about their benefits.

We introduced nine new informational videos, addressing frequently asked questions and guiding members through processes like enrollment and coverage selection. These resources, accessible via the CIS Benefits website, empower employees and their families to make informed decisions about their health and financial security.

Our Benefits Renewal Document also played a critical role in supporting members. By providing comprehensive information on plan options, rates, and changes, the document served as a cornerstone for open enrollment preparation.

We further supported members with tailored communications and personalized assistance, resulting in one of the most successful open enrollment seasons to date. With 112 statewide meetings — including in-person sessions, webinars, and pre-recorded presentations — the CIS Benefits team ensured members were informed and confident in their choices.

PROMOTING WELLNESS AND INCENTIVIZING ENGAGEMENT

Beyond traditional benefits, CIS continued to emphasize wellness as a key strategy for managing costs and encouraging members to adopt healthier lifestyles. The BeyondWell program, which offers members the opportunity to earn up to $150 in electronic gift cards for participating in health and wellness activities, was a standout success. By incentivizing preventive care and healthy behaviors, CIS not only supports individual well-being but also helps reduce long-term health care costs across the membership.

LOOKING FORWARD

As we look ahead to 2025, CIS remains committed to meeting the evolving needs of Oregon’s cities and counties. By leveraging our scale, listening to member feedback, and pursuing innovative solutions, we’re building a benefits program that not only meets today’s challenges but is poised for future success. With initiatives like enhanced pharmacy benefits, expanded life insurance options, and continued education and wellness programs, CIS Benefits is dedicated to providing the best possible value for our members while staying focused on managing costs and mitigating risks.