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McPherson County approves 2025 health-plan changes and 3% COLA for employees
Summary
The McPherson County Board of Commissioners accepted Blue Cross Blue Shieldrecommendations for health and dental plans for the 2025 plan year and approved a 3% cost-of-living adjustment effective Oct. 26, 2025.
The McPherson County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 15 accepted changes to the county—s health and dental plans recommended by Blue Cross Blue Shield and approved a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for county employees effective Oct. 26, 2025.
County staff reported that Blue Cross Blue Shield presented plan changes including higher deductibles for high-deductible options and adjustments to specialty drug tiers. The county will continue to pay a portion of premiums; staff reported the county currently pays 76% of premiums for the plans offered. The board voted to accept the insurer—s recommended rates and plan structure as presented.
In the same meeting the board voted to grant a 3% COLA for county staff with an effective date of Oct. 26 so that payroll changes would take effect in time for December—s coverage. Commissioners discussed a pending wage study that staff said is likely to conclude in January; the COLA was presented as an interim adjustment.
Staff also told the board that COBRA continuation costs for employees currently were estimated in the presentation at about $1,800 per month for a two-person plan and $2,800 per month for a family plan. The presentation noted the insurer uses federal guidelines to set high-deductible plan maximums; board members said premiums for some plans will rise and that reserves are adequate to cover claims variability under current targets.
No roll-call vote listing commissioner names was recorded in the transcript for the health-plan approval or the COLA motion; the chair called for the ayes and said the motions carried.
