Assured Partners presented Osceola County officials with the ISAC pool renewal for employee health benefits, reporting a 2.5% medical premium increase, a 2% dental increase and several voluntary benefit options.

The presentation explained why the ISAC (Iowa State Association of Counties) pool reduced its overall base rate by about 3% after a roughly $7 million pool surplus, while the county's specific experience adjustments produced a net change that results in a modest rise for the county's premiums. The consultant said the county's partial self-funded reserve balance is substantial and could — if the board chose — be repurposed, but noted differing auditors may view such transfers differently.

Why it matters: health insurance and benefit design affect employee pay and the county budget. The board discussed whether to change the county's voluntary dental plan, how to communicate options to employees and whether any reserve funds might be redirected for other uses.

Assured Partners' consultant summarized FY26 highlights and plan-level details: a 2.5% increase for the ISAC-administered medical plan, a 2% increase for dental, rate guarantees for vision and other products, and continued partial self-fund administration with Midwest Group Benefits. The county's two existing medical plan designs would remain unchanged; projected county total expense rises in line with the premium increase. The consultant said the county has large reserves in its partial self-fund (over $1.2 million under current projections) and that a comfortable reserve level would be roughly three to four times expected plan expenses (about $300,000–$400,000 based on current outflows).

The presentation reviewed wellness incentives (up to a 5% premium discount for meeting participation goals), an expanded CareBridge employee assistance program that doubles counseling visits to six per issue at no cost to employees, and ISAC-provided accident and critical-illness benefits paid in part or in full by the pool. The accident benefit is now 24-hour coverage and the critical-illness benefit provides a $5,000 payment for covered diagnoses; the presenter said roughly 10 claims were paid under the critical-illness benefit in 2024.

Board members asked for details about repurposing reserves and about the practical steps to change dental offerings. The consultant cited another county (Monroe County) as an example that returned reserve funds to its general fund after joining ISAC; the presenter named Amanda Harlan and Kristen Mick as contacts at that county. The consultant also outlined administrative fees and the partial self-fund consulting fee ($2.50 per employee per month) and noted the county has budgeted more than its actual recent expense, which helped build reserves.

Direction and next steps: the board agreed to ask staff to survey employees enrolled in the voluntary dental plan to gauge interest in switching to an enhanced dental option and to return to the board with results. No formal vote changing benefits or transferring reserve funds was taken at this meeting; the consultant said renewal decisions should be finalized in the coming 30 days and aimed for by February.

The board also discussed using work sessions for budget and benefits reviews when staff presentations are informational and no formal action is needed. Assured Partners staff left after the update and offered follow-up contact information.