City of Clearwater faces 13.1% health-plan renewal; committee weighs sharing part of increase with employees

The City of Clearwater Benefits Committee heard on June 30 that a consultant’s projection for the city’s self‑insured health plan renewal calls for a 13.1% increase, driven by higher medical and pharmacy claims and several very large cases.

The recommendation and its possible effects on employee contributions were the focus of the meeting because the committee must decide what to recommend to city council. Committee members did not vote at the June 30 meeting because the committee lacked a quorum; staff said the item will move to a follow‑up meeting in late July to produce a formal recommendation for council.

Sean Fleming, the benefits consultant leading the presentation, said the plan’s prior 12‑month gross claims totaled just under $21 million and that, after removing capitation and five large claims (about $2.3 million), net medical claims were about $17.4 million. Fleming…