Upson County keeps current cost split, approves Blue Cross Blue Shield renewal with $30,000 credit

Upson County commissioners voted June 4 to accept a Blue Cross Blue Shield renewal for the county's employee major medical plan and to keep the county-employee cost split at roughly 84% to 16%, after hearing that Cigna had proposed a 24% renewal increase and that Blue Cross offered a 14% rate increase plus a $30,000 administrative credit.

The vote came during a special-called meeting called to address the county's health insurance renewal and was prompted by higher-than-normal claims and several multi-hundred-thousand-dollar individual claims in the current plan. Alan, a benefits broker who presented renewal options, told the board, "we did receive a 24% increase from Cigna," and said Blue Cross's offer was a 14% increase with a $30,000 administrative credit to the county.

Why it matters: The decision affects county payroll deductions, the county budget for the remainder of this fiscal year and next year's budget discussions, and employees preparing for open enrollment, which staff said is scheduled to start June 7. Commissioners emphasized both the county's responsibility to employees and sensitivity to taxpayers as they considered several cost-sharing scenarios.

What the board heard and…