Branch County commissioners approve plan to ease employee health insurance costs

Department County Commissioners waived their guidelines Thursday to make it possible for administrator Bud Norman to formally request a cheaper Just Blue method addition to the county health insurance program.

The plan will allow for better deductibles from $250 to $8,000. Nonetheless, it could lessen annual rates from $200 to $4,000 a year based on one, or family coverage and the plan ordered.

Because of small deductibles, a “abundant strategy,” and better use in 2021, overall county wellness premiums for the underneath 100 staff members coated amplified by $500,000 in 2020. Some people noticed top quality raises of 65%

Commissioners are taking into consideration using American Rescue Pan cash to subsidize personnel charges this yr. That choice is nevertheless open.

Norman gained remaining requests to use $8.4 million ARPA income this week. Commissioners will set their priorities soon.

The administrator claimed general resources could not be made use of. That would violate the county’s “difficult cap” contributions adopted underneath point out law. Only just one union refused to go along with the new coverage plan. He did not identify it.

If Blue Cross/Blue Protect accepts adding the Only Blue possibilities, there will be a new open up enrollment for 3 months in April.

Payroll deductions would start in May perhaps, and coverage for people modifying would swap in June. The modifications and charges are unable to be produced retroactive.

The new optional approach is offered to all workers. Norman mentioned the county would continue on to examine insurance plan protection for 2023.

District Choose Brent Weigle and his administrator, Norman, and Sheriff John Pollack shaped an insurance policy committee. All those departments have been most impacted. The commission added Treasurer Steve Rutz to the group since of his prior know-how in coverage. Norman does not want much more customers, making it unwieldy.

The court and sheriff lost personnel simply because of the amplified wellbeing insurance coverage expense, especially for reduced-paid out Tier II new hires. The substantial wellness insurance price also will make it difficult to fill vacant positions.

This write-up originally appeared on The Day by day Reporter: Branch County approves plan to ease worker health insurance coverage prices