The Aransas County Commissioners Court convened on June 13, 2025, to discuss critical updates regarding employee health benefits and insurance claims. The workshop highlighted the implications of the county's aging workforce on medical claims and the overall cost of care in the region.

During the meeting, it was noted that Aransas County's population is slightly older than the state average, which typically leads to higher medical claims. However, the increase was reported to be minimal at just 0.4 percent. The cost of care in Aransas County is approximately 10 percent lower than the Texas average, which is beneficial for residents seeking medical services.

The discussion also revealed that the county has 35 individuals with medical claims between $10,000 and $20,000, and a total of 24 individuals with claims exceeding $20,000. Notably, two individuals have accumulated over $200,000 in claims. The total number of employees and dependents enrolled in the county's health plan is approximately 342.

The workshop further examined historical renewal rates for medical coverage, which have fluctuated over the past five years. The most recent plan year saw an 8.1 percent increase in medical coverage costs, with a five-year average increase of about 5 percent for Aransas County, slightly above the average for the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) health pool.

Surplus distributions from the health benefits pool were also discussed, with Aransas County receiving varying amounts over the years, including a notable surplus of $178,302 in 2020. This surplus is returned to the county as a check, benefiting the local budget.

The meeting concluded with a review of the financial dashboard, which indicated a significant increase in total medical and prescription claims over the past year, leading to a loss ratio of 113.7 percent. The county aims to improve this ratio in the coming years to stabilize costs and enhance employee health benefits.

Overall, the workshop underscored the importance of monitoring health claims and costs, particularly as the county navigates the challenges posed by an aging workforce and fluctuating healthcare expenses. The next steps will involve exploring alternative plan options to better manage these financial pressures.