Biloxi council approves self‑funded employee health plan; city to underwrite major share

The Biloxi City Council approved a resolution authorizing continuation of a self‑funded employee group health insurance program with HealthGram and affiliated networks. Council member Mister Tisdale moved the resolution; a second was recorded and the council approved the measure unanimously.

During the discussion council members and the city’s insurance advisers described the program as self‑funded with a city contribution described in council remarks as “approximately $9,900,000” for the plan year and a risk corridor the advisers estimated at roughly $1 million to $1.5 million. Gallagher Insurance representative Cy (Sy) Easterly answered council questions about recent claims and said the city removed about $970,000 of potential liability after managing several high‑cost claim cases.

Mister Tisdale told the council there would be no increase in employee premiums for the coming year. Council members also noted an existing spousal surcharge remains in place; staff described the surcharge as $60 per month when a spouse has access to employer coverage but declines it and then enrolls in the city plan.

Council members thanked the insurance committee — comprised of Mister Tisdale, Mister Marshall and Mister Creel — and staff for negotiating the renewal and said the plan preserves employee contributions at roughly the same rate as the prior year. The council approved the resolution by voice vote without recorded roll‑call details in the public meeting transcript.

The resolution authorizes city staff to implement the contracts and continue the self‑insured approach; no change to premium sharing for employees was recorded at the meeting.