Louisiana Insurance Firm’s Complaint About Bid Rejected

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The state Office of Group Benefits has rejected United Healthcare’s protest concerning the hiring of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana to manage state employee health insurance plans.

United Healthcare’s next remedy is to file an appeal with Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater, who is Gov. Bobby Jindal’s chief budget adviser.

A Rainwater spokesman told The Advocate that further appeals have not been filed.

A spokeswoman for United Healthcare did not respond to a request for comment.

United Healthcare, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and Humana submitted proposals earlier this year to serve as administrator of state health plans covering more than 200,000 people.

A panel of state officials opted to hire Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. The company stands to receive $37.8 million a year.