Monongalia County approves Highmark insurance plan; commission agrees to cover employee premium increases and deductibles

Monongalia County Commissioners on June 11 approved a proposal from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to provide the county’s employee group insurance effective Aug. 1, 2025, and separately voted to have the county absorb the increase in employee premiums and cover increased deductibles through the county’s health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

County Commissioner Sean said the county’s insurance claims experience drove the decision, pointing to what he described as a loss ratio “of a 123.5” and a history of annual increases. “We have a small portion of our participants that account for nearly 60% of all of our claims,” Sean said, adding that the carrier’s initial underwriting analysis put an expected increase much higher than the final offer.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the county faced large and growing premium increases that would otherwise shift significant costs to employees or the county’s budget. The commission’s votes both accept a revised Highmark offer and direct county funds to keep employee premium contributions at current levels and to make employees whole for higher plan deductibles.

Discussion and votes: Commissioners and staff described multiple negotiation rounds with the broker USI and the carrier. Sean said an actuarial/underwriter analysis “was 46.3%,” a number the county sought down through plan design changes and broker negotiation. Commissioners described a final plan offer that reduced the initial proposed spike to a lower double‑digit percent increase; Sean summarized changes as including higher deductibles and a coinsurance change from 90% to 80%.

Commissioners made three separate motions tied to the insurance decision. First, the commission voted to accept the Highmark proposal as presented. Second, the commission voted to keep employee premium contributions at existing levels and to fund the county’s share of the increased premiums — a cost commissioners cited as roughly $1,001,805. Third, the commission voted to have the county cover 100% of the new or increased deductibles by paying through the HRA so employees would not face out‑of‑pocket deductible costs.

County discussion recorded several plan figures during debate that were not fully consistent in the meeting transcript: at different points speakers cited a deductible change described as “21,000,” and at other points said deductibles would move from about $7,000 (single) to $14,000 (family). Commissioners stated the intent is for the county to fund deductibles so employees will be covered through the HRA.

Commissioners and staff said they will continue to explore longer‑term alternatives, including self‑insurance and other plan designs, but said the county needed to approve a plan now to start open enrollment and ensure coverage continuity. Sean said the county’s open enrollment work required approving the plan in time for the new coverage start date.

What was decided: The commission’s votes approved the Highmark plan, authorized county funding to keep employee premiums constant (commissioners cited approximately $1,001,805 of increased premium cost), and directed county coverage of employee deductibles through the HRA. Officials emphasized the measures are intended as short‑to‑medium‑term budget actions while staff and commissioners continue to seek other solutions.

Next steps and context: Commissioners thanked broker staff at USI for negotiations and said they will keep exploring alternatives to contain future premium growth. Officials noted the rise in claims and industry trends are a statewide and national issue, and that the county’s claims experience is the primary driver of premium cost increases.