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Oktibbeha County renews stop‑loss coverage, keeps Blue Cross Blue Shield and Delta Dental; broker flags rising GLP‑1 drug costs
Summary
At its October meeting the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors approved renewal of the county's stop-loss insurance and to remain with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Delta Dental; an insurance broker said GLP‑1 drugs are driving higher drug expenditures but rebates have also risen.
Oktibbeha County supervisors voted unanimously during their October board meeting to renew the county's stop‑loss insurance, maintain Blue Cross Blue Shield as the third‑party administrator and keep Delta Dental for county employee dental coverage.
Brett, an insurance broker with Hook International who presented the plan to the board, said the county's self‑funded program has produced savings and continues to perform well. "We've seen about a $128,000 in savings strictly on the stop loss contract," Brett said, and he recommended keeping the current stop‑loss vendor and TPA for now.
Brett told the board the county's pharmacy spending has changed over the past year because of increased use of GLP‑1 class drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. He said the county has seen roughly $200,000 in expenditures on those drugs but also a rise in rebates: "This year, we are seeing a $150,000 drug rebate," he said. He noted the rebate does not fully offset higher claims but is a mitigating factor for the self‑funded plan.
Board discussion focused on continuity for employees during open enrollment and on a plan to increase uptake of preventive services. Hook International and county staff said open enrollment for employees would take place the week following the meeting and recommended further marketing of wellness and preventive services next year, including combining screenings and vaccinations in single events.
Actions taken - Motion to renew the county's stop‑loss policy and continue Blue Cross Blue Shield as third‑party administrator: motion made and seconded; passed unanimously. - Motion to renew Delta Dental at a 6% renewal rate and remain with the current dental carrier for the upcoming year: motion made and seconded; passed unanimously.
What the board approved does not change employee plan design; it authorizes the county to sign renewal contracts and continue current vendors while staff pursue broader marketing of wellness services during upcoming open enrollment.
Ending The board asked staff to return next year with more detailed proposals for integrating preventive screenings and for a broader marketing plan to raise participation in the county's Healthy You/wellness offerings.
