Why is Denver Public Schools ending its contract with Kaiser Permanente?

DPS did not select Kaiser Permanente in its request for proposal process for upcoming fiscal year medical benefits.

How many Denver Public Schools employees are affected by the Kaiser Permanente contract change?

More than 5,000 teachers and staff members are impacted by this decision.

What is the dispute between DPS and Kaiser Permanente over healthcare costs?

Kaiser claims their proposal offered savings, while DPS asserts Kaiser's plan would triple employee costs.

Home / Business and Economy / Kaiser Out After 5 Decades: DPS Cuts Health Care Tie

Kaiser Out After 5 Decades: DPS Cuts Health Care Tie

7 Jan

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Summary

Denver Public Schools is ending a 50-year health care partnership with Kaiser Permanente.
Kaiser claims DPS rejected a cost-saving proposal, while DPS says Kaiser would triple costs.
Over 5,000 teachers and staff must find new doctors before July.

Kaiser Out After 5 Decades: DPS Cuts Health Care Tie

Denver Public Schools has decided to end its healthcare partnership with Kaiser Permanente after more than five decades of service. The district stated that Kaiser Permanente was not selected during the recent request for proposal process for the upcoming fiscal year's medical benefits. This decision will impact over 5,000 teachers and staff members, requiring them to find new healthcare providers.

Kaiser Permanente has contested the district's reasoning, claiming their competitive renewal proposal would have saved DPS millions while maintaining quality care. Conversely, DPS asserts that Kaiser finished last in evaluations and choosing them would triple employee healthcare expenses. Union representatives have voiced concerns about the lack of transparency regarding DPS's cost data and its potential impact on employees, some of whom have long-standing relationships with their doctors.