Health Insurance Rate Jumps 13.5% Amid GLP Drug Coverage Rising Costs

The Lee County Finance Committee meeting on July 17, 2025, focused on significant changes to the county's health insurance policy, primarily driven by rising costs associated with GLP-1 drug coverage. The committee discussed a proposed 13.5% increase in health insurance rates for the upcoming year, a substantial rise compared to last year's increase of under 5%.

During the meeting, options for managing the increased costs were presented. The first option involves maintaining the current plan, which would still reflect the rate increase. The second option would eliminate coverage for GLP-1 drugs, resulting in a 3.5% decrease in rates. The third and fourth options would adjust certain requirements of the current plan, leading to smaller rate reductions of 1% and 0.5%, respectively. However, committee members expressed concerns that these adjustments might not be beneficial given their minimal impact.

The deadline for deciding on the second option, which involves removing GLP-1 drug coverage, is July 31, 2025. For the other options, the decision must be made by September 12, 2025. The committee noted a 3.2% increase in enrollment and a decrease in the average age of participants, now at 33.2 years, which may influence future insurance costs.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted wellness initiatives, including a partnership with the YMCA to offer discounted rates for county employees and upcoming wellness events. The committee also announced the dates for biometric screenings, scheduled for October 8 through October 15, 2025.

Overall, the meeting underscored the financial pressures facing the county's health insurance plan and the need for timely decisions to manage costs effectively.