Rockingham County weighs 9% health-plan cost rise as stop‑loss premiums surge; stop‑loss options remain under review

Rockingham County commissioners heard a detailed benefits briefing April 3 from Gallagher consultants and county staff showing a projected all‑in increase of about 9% for the county’s self‑funded medical plan for the 2025–26 plan year.

The briefing, led by Gallagher and county finance staff, said most of the upward pressure comes from higher stop‑loss (catastrophic‑claim) pricing and recent high‑dollar claims. Gallagher reported a proposed stop‑loss renewal that would raise specific stop‑loss costs by about 45%, which the consultant said equates to roughly $384,000 in additional premium; an alternative that increases the specific deductible to $200,000 would trim that jump to roughly 25%, according to the presentation. Gallagher also identified two current claimants they flagged as likely to exceed the county’s specific stop‑loss threshold and said the carrier underwriting option that assigns “lasers” to those claimants would add an estimated $410,000 of potential direct liability if those individuals…