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Washington County court approves 2025–26 health coverage renewal, keeps employee costs largely unchanged
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Summary
Washington County Commissioners approved renewal of medical, dental, vision and ancillary benefits for plan year Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2026, accepting a roughly 9.2% county-level medical premium increase while maintaining current employee contribution structure and keeping ancillary benefits with the Haney Group.
Washington County Commissioners Court voted July 1 to approve health insurance contribution amounts and renew medical, dental, vision and ancillary coverages for the Oct. 1, 2025, plan year.
The move implements a renewal package presented to the court in which Washington County’s average medical premium increase was reported as about 9.2% for the county, while the county’s recommendation was to maintain existing employee contribution levels. “It is my recommendation to say all of our ancillary benefits with the Haney Group … then renew with TAC Medical,” Miss Amber, the county benefits/wellness representative, told the court.
Why it matters: commissioners were presented data showing a three‑year average of high‑cost claims that contributed to the premium rise. Court staff and the TAC (Texas Association of Counties) representative recommended continued emphasis on employee wellness programming to reduce future claims and drive down costs.
Details of the decision: the court approved the renewal by voice vote. Miss Amber said Washington County’s employee monthly share for single coverage would move from $8.87 to $9.68 under the approved plan and that, under the county’s present approach, about 98% of single‑coverage premium costs are covered by the employer. Court discussion noted that the county has limited ability to change plan design at this late stage of renewal and that larger design changes should be considered during the budget process.
Court members flagged next steps and clarifications. Miss Amber said the county’s wellness sponsor position (previously filled by County HR Director Angela) will need to be reassigned by October if not filled before renewal paperwork is completed. Commissioners also asked that benefits and potential plan design changes be discussed further during upcoming budget deliberations.
The court approved the motion to renew medical and ancillary coverages with the presented employee and county contribution approach. No roll‑call tally was recorded in the minutes; the judge announced the motion carried after a voice vote.
