DeKalb County approves 2025 HSA and PPO employee plans, keeps spousal carve-out and tobacco surcharge

DeKalb County Commissioners approved two employee health plans and several related policies at their June 5 meeting, voting to adopt an HSA-qualified high-deductible plan (listed in materials as HDHP/HSA) and a PPO/copay option, keep the existing spousal carve-out and retain a $25 monthly surcharge for tobacco users.

The measures matter because they set employees' 2025 coverage rules, out-of-pocket limits and the county’s administrative deadlines for open enrollment and payroll deposits. County staff also said they will seek HSA vendor information and finalize logistics so payroll can begin making HSA deposits for employees who enroll.

Lauren (staff member), who presented the plans and Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) packets, reviewed key numbers: the HSA/HDHP shows a $3,500 in-network individual deductible and $7,000 family deductible, with out-of-network amounts doubled; the out-of-pocket limits are $5,000 individual and $10,000 family in‑network, and double for out-of-network. Preventive services were confirmed as covered at 100 percent before the deductible. Pharmacy copays and specialty pharmacy rules were also summarized.

Lauren said, "Today we have our SBCs, or summary of benefits and coverage," and walked commissioners through differences between…