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Kerr County faces an 8.2% medical renewal; HR recommends moving to 30‑day enrollment window for employees and officials
Summary
Human Resources presented insurance renewal options showing an 8.2% increase in medical premiums and recommended changing the county’s 60‑day new‑employee waiting period to 30 days, and applying the same standard to elected officials.
Kerr County human resources staff told the commissioners court Monday that the county’s medical insurance renewal will increase by approximately 8.2% and dental by 8.3% and presented options for who should bear the increase.
HR summarized three models: the county absorbs the full premium increase; the county passes the full increase to employees who cover dependents; or the county and employees share part of the increase (for example, a monthly employee contribution of $25 to split the cost). The HR packet showed the county’s full‑absorption option would raise employer contributions by roughly $330,805 annually under current enrollment.
HR also recommended changing the county’s 60‑day waiting period for new employees to a 30‑day waiting period, and applying the same 30‑day standard to elected officials. HR explained that many jurisdictions now use 30 days and that elected officials who take office January 1 currently face a de facto discrepancy in coverage timing.
HR said the county currently has 11 retirees on the plan and expects six or seven of those retirees to drop from county coverage in the next fiscal year as they reach age 65 and transition to Medicare.
Commissioners asked about alternatives that would reduce the employer cost such as increasing deductibles or maximum out‑of‑pocket limits; HR said carriers offered plan options that would shift more out‑of‑pocket costs to employees in exchange for smaller premium increases.
No binding decision was made Monday. HR said it will return with final renewal documents and any court direction could be implemented in the open enrollment and renewal process for the coming fiscal year.
