Terrebonne Parish committee approves 2026 health, dental and vision renewals and authorizes bids for medical supplies

The Terrebonne Parish Finance, Insurance and Section 16 Lands Committee voted to recommend several 2026 insurance renewals and authorized the purchasing department to advertise bids for medical and athletic training supplies during a meeting that included a presentation on year‑to‑date claims and plan performance.

Committee chair Mr. Curtis said the committee recommended accepting a stop‑loss reinsurance renewal from HCC Insurance Company with a $450,000 specific deductible per claim, a $250,000 tiered split fund, a provision for no new lasers, and a 50% rate cap at renewal. The committee estimated the annual cost at $775,825.20 for the policy year effective Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2026. Mr. Lagarde moved the motion and Mr. Curtis seconded; with no objections, the committee approved it.

The committee also recommended acceptance of a UnitedHealthcare group Medicare Advantage plan for eligible retirees with an estimated annual cost of $3,299,866.56 for the plan year effective Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2026. Mr. Lagarde moved the motion and Mr. Curtis seconded; committee members raised no objections and the recommendation passed.

Lynn Fontaine, senior vice president at HUB International, presented claims data through August and compared Terrebonne Parish’s plan to peer parishes. "Our plan is performing very, very well right now," Fontaine said, noting that gross claims were up year over year but that increased reimbursements and prescription drug rebates had moderated the net increase. Fontaine reported the plan had collected roughly $200,000 in specific reinsurance reimbursements so far in the year.

Fontaine and staff walked committee members through a peer comparison that placed Terrebonne alongside Lafourche Parish and the Office of Group Benefits on several metrics, including deductibles, office visit copays and employer contribution levels. Fontaine said the plan’s blended medical trend ranged between roughly 9% and 11% depending on sources, and that, after reimbursements and other adjustments, the plan showed about a 4% year‑over‑year increase overall.

On retiree plan economics, Fontaine explained loss‑ratio comparisons the committee reviews when evaluating options: for every dollar collected, active employee coverage paid out about $1.17; retirees without Medicare paid out about $2.08; retirees with Medicare but not on the Medicare Advantage offering paid out about $1.85; and the Medicare Advantage option showed a payout of about $0.37 per dollar collected. Fontaine said those ratios supported continuing the Medicare Advantage offering despite a premium increase.

The committee recommended renewal of group dental coverage with Emeritus (address on the agenda: Lincoln, Nebraska) with revised rates and added benefits, guaranteed for three years (Jan. 1, 2026–Dec. 31, 2028). Committee members noted a projected premium increase for some family tiers (the presenter cited an example of roughly a $253 annual increase for a family plan), and that the plan adds a LASIK benefit that would apply after four years of continuous enrollment (presenter cited $350 per eye). The motion was moved by Mr. Lagarde, seconded by Mr. Curtis, and passed without objection. The transcript contained inconsistent wording about a change to the annual maximum benefit; the exact revised dollar amount for the annual maximum was not specified in the meeting record.

The committee also recommended renewal of a group vision plan through the VSP Choice Network (agenda listing associated with Emeritus/VSP) with a three‑year rate guarantee and no rate increase over the contract term (Jan. 1, 2026–Dec. 31, 2028). That motion was moved by Mr. Lagarde, seconded by Mr. Curtis, and approved.

Separately, the committee authorized the purchasing department to advertise for bids for medical and athletic training supplies after staff reported district‑wide spending had reached the applicable bid advertising threshold (presenter said the threshold was $60,000). Purchasing staff member Ali Duga explained this is the first time the district is advertising this consolidated bid; the recommendation passed without objection.

Michelle Klingman presented an informational budget update and monthly sales tax collections, reporting that for August the parish showed a year‑over‑year sales tax increase of 2.99%. The budget report was informational only; there was no action on that item.

Votes at a glance: - Approve HCC Insurance Company stop‑loss reinsurance renewal (specific deductible $450,000; $250,000 tiered split fund; 50% renewal rate cap). Moved: Mr. Lagarde. Second: Mr. Curtis. Outcome: approved. - Accept UnitedHealthcare group Medicare Advantage plan for eligible retirees (estimated annual cost $3,299,866.56). Moved: Mr. Lagarde. Second: Mr. Curtis. Outcome: approved. - Approve group dental renewal with Emeritus, three‑year guaranteed rates (Jan. 1, 2026–Dec. 31, 2028); increased rates and added benefits noted. Moved: Mr. Lagarde. Second: Mr. Curtis. Outcome: approved. (Exact revised dental annual maximum not specified in transcript.) - Approve group vision renewal through VSP Choice Network with three‑year guaranteed rates and no increase. Moved: Mr. Lagarde. Second: Mr. Curtis. Outcome: approved. - Authorize advertising bids for medical and athletic training supplies (procurement threshold reached; threshold cited as $60,000). Moved/second as recorded on agenda. Outcome: approved.

The committee meeting concluded after completion of the agenda items; several items (claims trends and the budget update) were presented for information rather than action. Committee members did not record a roll‑call vote; each motion was approved after the chair called for objections and none were raised.