The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) board met Thursday, May 9 and approved a change to the employer share of the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP).

SHBP Employer Share Increases

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget, recently signed by Gov. Brian Kemp, raised the employer share of per-member per-month (PMPM) cost for the SHBP for certified staff to $1,760. The price tag for this increase is $248 million, which the state is covering. 

The employer share of the PMPM cost of the SHBP for non-certified staff is rising to $1,580, up from $945. Lawmakers approved this increase, which was to be phased in between Jan 1, 2024, and Jan. 1, 2026, in the FY 2024 budget. However, in the FY 2025 budget, lawmakers accelerated the implementation of the increase for it to be fully implemented on Jan. 1, 2025. Local school districts pay the employer share of the SHBP for non-certified staff and will cover this increase. Lawmakers also stated in the FY 2025 budget that the employer share of the PMPM for non-certified staff will continue to increase to the PMPM amount for certified staff as needed in the future to maintain the financial stability of the health plan. 

The DCH board unanimously approved the increase to the employer share of the PMPM cost for non-certified staff. While there is no accompanying increase to the employee's share of costs, PAGE will continue to monitor changes to SHBP funding and potential increases for members.