During a recent government meeting, officials discussed proposed changes to the county's health plan ahead of the upcoming open enrollment period, scheduled for November 4th to 15th. The meeting highlighted two primary areas of focus: enhancements to fertility benefits and increased cancer screening provisions, both aimed at addressing rising healthcare costs.

Brett, a representative from the county's HR department, presented the recommendations, noting that the county's insurance broker, Parker Smith and Feek, has suggested a 32% increase in health insurance premiums due to two years of high claims data. In response, the county is considering a more moderate 10% increase for employees not qualifying for wellness rates, while maintaining a zero premium for those who do. Additionally, departments may face a 25% increase in their contributions.

The proposed changes also include adjustments to Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution limits and deductibles, reflecting annual IRS increases. For individual plans, the deductible will rise by $150, while family plans will see a $100 increase. Furthermore, the county plans to switch from New York Life to UNUM for basic life insurance coverage, increasing the coverage to three times the employee's annual salary. This change aims to improve customer service and streamline administrative processes.

The discussion underscored the urgency of finalizing these changes to ensure that employees receive accurate information during the open enrollment period. Despite some concerns about the timing and venue of the discussion, officials emphasized the importance of moving forward to meet deadlines for printing benefit guides and other materials.