BISMARCK (KFGO-AM AP) -- Sanford Health Plan is taking over as the primary insurance provider for approximately 29,000 public employees in North Dakota.
The health insurance company will replace Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, which has served as the insurer for the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System for the last 37 years. The company will insure 65,000 total people, including families and retirees.
The new health plan contract with Sanford will take effect July 1. Sanford Health Plan submitted a bid of $616-million while Blue Cross-Blue Shield proposed a cost of $645-million over two years.
Jon Strinden is the chairman of the public employees' board. Strinden says public employees will still be able to use their current medical providers under the new plan.
Sanford says it's in the process of opening offices in Fargo and Bismarck. It says there will be more than 100 positions available immediately in the state.