During the recent Harrison County Commissioners Court meeting, significant discussions centered around employee benefits, particularly concerning Medicare supplements and ancillary benefits for county employees.

The county currently provides Medicare supplement plans for approximately 56 employees, utilizing UnitedHealthcare as their carrier. However, the county is facing a notable increase in costs, with the senior supplemental plan rising from $1.51 to $1.83 per member, and the Part D supplement increasing from $2.25 to $3.00. Despite these increases, officials noted that the maximum out-of-pocket expense for the drug plan would decrease from $8,000 to $2,000, which they believe will ultimately benefit the members. These adjustments are attributed to changes mandated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and reflect broader market trends affecting all carriers.

In addition to Medicare supplements, the court discussed ancillary benefits offered to employees, including dental, vision, and life insurance plans. Notably, there will be no changes to these benefits for the upcoming year, with all plans set to roll over without additional costs to the county or its employees. The dental plan will maintain its current rates until January 2025, while the vision and basic life insurance plans will remain unchanged until January 2027.

The meeting also highlighted the successful implementation of a Third-Party Administrator (TPA) last year, which assists with COBRA, dependent daycare, and other employee benefit plans. This initiative aims to enhance employee participation and streamline benefit management.

Overall, the discussions reflect the county's commitment to providing valuable benefits to its employees while navigating the challenges of rising healthcare costs. The decisions made during this meeting are expected to have a direct impact on the financial well-being of county employees and their families, ensuring they continue to receive essential support without incurring additional expenses.