Budget committee members were briefed on insurance rate changes and a letter from the district’s risk pool, HealthTrust.

Staff reported the district’s AB 20 health plan will see an 11.1% rate increase, another plan labeled “BSOS” would rise 14.1%, and a new “Open Access” plan is projected to increase 8.5%. Dental rates are expected to increase 4.4%. Staff said there is no increase for life insurance or long‑term disability this year and vision coverage is 100% employee‑paid.

Maria, a district staff member who read HealthTrust’s most recent letter to members, described a distinction the letter makes between assessable and non‑assessable risk pools and said HealthTrust reaffirmed non‑assessable status in its 2025 bylaws. The staff summary said that two other risk pools in New Hampshire have recently issued assessments totaling about $32.5 million to their members; the district’s risk pool letter, staff said, indicates HealthTrust intends to avoid surprise assessments for its members. “We hope that these changes provide groups with clear assurance that they will not be liable for surprise assessments,” Maria read from the letter.

Committee members were given the numbers and told plan details and adequacy calculations would continue to be refined as the fall insurance‑rate setting season concludes. There was no formal action on benefits at the meeting; staff said more detail on premiums and the district’s cash‑flow projections would be shared in upcoming workshops for committee and board members.