Topeka, Kan. – State employees in Kansas will continue to have a choice between two health insurance providers: Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBS).
Recently, the Kansas State Employee Health Plan Commission met and decided to accept bids from both companies. This decision followed discussions about potential savings. A proposal to choose only Aetna could save the state around $220 million. However, concerns raised by over 100 emails from employees and feedback from agency leaders made the commissioners reconsider.
Currently, more than 35,000 state employees use BCBS, while only about 5,000 are covered by Aetna. Many employees worry that Aetna offers a smaller network of healthcare providers, which might force them to change their doctors or travel longer distances for care.
State Budget Director Adam Proffitt emphasized that sticking only with Aetna would be a “leap of faith.” He pointed out that if Aetna were chosen alone, they would need to expand their network significantly to accommodate the many employees.
Commissioner Bill Sutton acknowledged cost concerns, noting that the goal of the proposals was to ensure the state maximizes its budget. He recognized that some disruptions might occur but felt it was important to observe fiscal responsibility.
Proffitt reiterated that while the financial savings are appealing, providing choices for employees remains a priority. Keeping both plans will lead to a 2.74% increase in state costs, which aligns with current inflation rates.
The vote concluded with a unanimous 5 to 0 decision, though Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt abstained, advocating for further review of the plans to ensure employees had a voice in the process.
Looking ahead, the commission is set to discuss different rate structures for both plans in their next meeting.
Interestingly, a recent nationwide survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 83% of workers appreciate having multiple health insurance options. This reflects a broader trend—employees generally favor choice, even if it means slightly higher costs.
You can watch the commission’s discussion from May 11, 2026, here.
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