Muskego committee approves health‑plan changes and maintains proposed raises after debate

Summary

Committee approved design changes to the city’s employee health plan to lower near‑term cost pressure while maintaining the proposed 4% total raise (2% Jan, 2% July). Changes include a higher employer‑side deductible buy‑up, modest employee out‑of‑pocket increases in some proposals, prescription copay adjustments and a family‑advantage incentive.

Muskego’s Committee of the Whole on Oct. 14 approved a package of proposed health‑plan design changes intended to reduce the city’s projected 9.5% renewal increase and maintain pay increases in the 2026 operating budget.

The council voted to accept proposals that include raising the city’s insured deductible level (to a higher base the insurer prices more favorably), increasing employer HRA funding to offset the larger deductible, raising some member out‑of‑pocket deductibles as an optional second step and changing prescription and visit copays. The committee also approved a voluntary “family advantage” cost‑sharing program intended to encourage employees to move eligible dependents off the city plan when practical.

Why it matters: The city’s insurer renewal presented a roughly 9.5% cost increase for 2026. The changes approved by the committee are projected by the city’s consultant to lower…

Muskego committee approves health‑plan changes and maintains proposed raises after debate

Summary

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