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Imperial County approves 2026 health-plan changes after debate over retiree costs
Summary
The Board approved 2026 premium and vendor changes for employee and retiree health plans, but delayed final allocation details for a subset of retirees after committee and public pushback about who should bear increases.
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved changes to the county's 2026 health benefits program on Oct. 7, including premium increases, vendor changes and a shift in the Medicare Advantage plan, while moving to validate and cover a disputed charge for a subset of retirees.
County Human Resources Director Erica Morales presented the staff recommendation to adopt plan-year 2026 premium changes, move pharmacy administration and some digital-care vendors effective Jan. 1, 2026, and authorize the county executive officer to implement the changes. Morales told the board the county's self-funded Prism Health arrangement covers 5,203 members and that proposed adjustments aim to sustain the program after large renewals in 2025.
The changes include a recommended aggregate 13.1% increase for active employee medical costs (staff recommended the county absorb that increase based on existing Memoranda of Understanding) and a 12.1% aggregate increase affecting retiree plans.…
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