Many GovGuam employees uneasy about health insurance carrier changes

The open enrollment period for the GovGuam health insurance contract has been extended, as new vendor Aetna gets set to take over.

But many employees still question the transition, with more than a thousand signing an online petition asking to stay with former carrier Calvo's SelectCare that served them for more than 18 years.

Aetna International issued a news release Sunday announcing that the enrollment period will be extended from Sept. 23 to Oct. 12. The company says it will hold a series of open enrollment sessions with experts available to discuss plan and health benefit options, as well as provide more information about Aetna's services. Details on the times and locations will be announced in the coming days.

Aetna says employees will retain the basic features under their current program, and local network access and on-island support will continue as normal. Under the new program, members will receive additional support in the form of 24/7 customer service. Access will also continue to St. Luke's hospital in the Philippines, and to over 1 million U.S. mainland providers.

But many apparently aren't welcoming the change. Longtime incumbent carrier Calvo's SelectCare says at the request of GovGuam employees it launched an online petition to repeal Public Law 34-83. It also asks the legislature to submit, and the governor to sign, a new law that would allow employees to make their own choice from among multiple qualified bidders.

More than a thousand people have signed the petition, and hundreds have submitted comments most commonly stating that they "should have a choice," or that they prefer "to remain with their current carrier."
The current contract expires at the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.