Gilpin County approves 2026 employee benefits renewal amid rising medical claims; employees to share modest premium increase
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Summary
The county approved benefit renewals for 2026 including a 20% medical-rate increase, a 15% dental increase and a 10% reduction for vision; the county said higher claims drove the adjustment and employee contributions will rise modestly.
Gilpin County commissioners on Aug. 26 approved the county’s 2026 employee benefits renewal after staff and benefits broker representatives briefed the board on higher-than-expected claims.
Shanda Johnson, the county’s human-resources director, told the board the renewal request covers medical, dental and vision plans and that the proposal includes a 20% medical premium increase, a 15% dental increase and a 10% decrease for vision. Johnson said county claims totaled more than $3 million over the last year while premiums paid were roughly $2.5 million, placing the county in a higher renewal category.
Terry Brook, a benefits adviser with CBT (the county’s trust), described the county’s historical move from a partially self-insured model to CBT and said that despite recent claims the county remains in a comparatively favorable position because CBT is a nonprofit trust with relatively low fixed expenses and protections such as specific stop-loss coverage for very large claims.
Johnson said the county will keep the existing HRA design (employee cards funded at $3,000 individual / $6,000 family) and that employee contributions will increase by 2.5% in 2026 to offset part of the cost. The board approved the renewals and the staff recommendation to proceed to open enrollment in October.
Ending: The board approved the 2026 benefits renewal package. County staff and the benefits broker said they will continue to monitor claims activity and present possible cost-savings options to the board in coming months.