Refund Checks Going Out to Retirees and Public Workers

The check is in the mail. That's the word from state leaders who say more than $2.7 million in refunds have been going out to people in Louisiana's health insurance program for state workers and public school employees who were overcharged for coverage.

Governor John Bel Edwards' administration issued a release saying nearly 1,200 retirees enrolled in both Office of Group Benefits coverage and Medicare were charged a higher premium rate than they should have been.

All refund checks should be sent by the end of December. The average refund is $2,336.

State agencies and school systems that were overcharged for premiums got $17.5 million in reimbursements.

The cost of the refunds is being paid from the Group Benefits reserve fund. No rate increases or coverage changes are planned because of the overpayments.