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Consultants recommend switching LaSalle County post‑65 retiree plan from Blue Cross to Humana after large Blue Cross renewal request
Summary
Horton Group advised the committee that Blue Cross proposed a large increase (about 49%) for post‑65 retiree coverage; Humana quoted a much smaller increase and is recommended as the alternate. The committee did not finalize the switch at this meeting and will consider the retiree plan with other renewals.
Horton Group recommended that the county replace Blue Cross with Humana for post‑65 retiree coverage after presenting competing market quotes.
Horton told the committee Blue Cross’s renewal for the county’s Medicare (post‑65) plan showed a substantial proposed increase (Horton described it as about a 49% request). Consultants said Humana submitted a competing quote using Express Scripts for pharmacy and that Humana’s price was materially lower in the vendor worksheet (Horton cited a Humana quote in the low single digits of percent increase in contrast to Blue Cross’s request). Horton recommended moving the post‑65 retiree plan to Humana, keeping service continuity through Benastar for retiree plan administration.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about pharmacy network access with Express Scripts and whether the change would reduce benefits for current retirees. Horton said plan designs would remain consistent in the recommended Humana option, with no reduction in core medical benefits and similar pharmacy tiering; retirees would continue to receive Benastar support for enrollment and counseling.
Discussion vs. decision: committee members discussed the recommended switch and asked for final documentation; no formal vote was recorded to change the post‑65 retiree carrier at this meeting.
Ending: Horton Group said it would provide detailed plan‑design comparison documents and that the committee could act on the retiree plan along with other approvals at the next meeting if members choose.
