Toole County approves 11.9% increase in Mako Healthcare Trust rates

Toole County commissioners approved a proposed 11.9% increase in rates for the Mako Healthcare Trust during their meeting (date not specified), moving to raise employee contribution levels and keep existing county-paid benefits settings largely unchanged.

The increase affects premiums for the county’s medical plan under the Mako Healthcare Trust, a county official said during agenda item discussion. The board approved a motion to raise the contribution amount (motion moved by Board member 1 and seconded by Board member 2) by voice vote.

The change was described in the meeting as an 11.9% increase "this year," and commissioners discussed a proposed total contribution figure of about $1,025. Board member 1 moved "to raise it," and Board member 2 seconded the motion. The board also confirmed there would be no additional county contribution toward employees' health savings accounts for the plan described as costing "a thousand 32," and that the county does not pay life insurance premiums that come bundled with the medical plan.

Commissioners discussed ancillary benefits: a dental premium was reported to have increased from $41 to $43, which a board member said represented a 4.7% rise. The board noted retiree Medicare plans are not within the county’s control and therefore were unaffected by this action. The board affirmed eligibility rules discussed in the meeting: employees must work at least 37 hours per month and complete 30 days of employment to be eligible for coverage.

Board member 2 opened the agenda item with "Agenda item number 1, discussion and consideration of the new rates for Mako Healthcare Trust." Board member 1 later said, "I'll make the motion to raise it." After discussion, the motion was approved by voice vote.

The board instructed staff to update plan documents and forms to reflect the new rates and to leave other plan design elements unchanged pending further review.