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Board authorizes outside brokers to analyze countyself-funded health plan
Summary
Adams County supervisors voted to allow insurance brokers from Armstrong & Associates and a partner to review the county's self-funded health claims and benefits data, with a confidentiality agreement, ahead of an April 1 renewal.
Adams County supervisors voted Feb. 5 to authorize outside insurance brokers to review the county—s self-funded health plan and claims data ahead of a scheduled April 1 renewal.
The board granted permission after a presentation from Artie Armstrong and colleagues from Armstrong & Associates, who proposed a data-driven review of major medical, dental and vision plans and the county—s reinsurance arrangements. The firm said it would provide a written spreadsheet showing line-by-line costs and recommendations and would deploy electronic enrollment and benefits tools at no cost if the county chose to adopt them.
The authorization allows the brokers to receive plan and claims data under a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) and to return a proposal to the board. Armstrong said the county is self-funded and that a claims review could identify opportunities to lower overall costs, reduce reinsurance, or recommend alternative plan designs. He described additional services including telehealth/wellness kiosks and QR-hosted employee notices to reduce administrative burden.
Board members asked for a prompt review because the county—s renewal is April 1. Supervisor Greg moved to authorize the data release and review; Supervisor Hudgins seconded. The board voted unanimously to give the firm access so it could prepare a spreadsheet and return with recommendations to the board—s second February meeting.
The board and the presenters emphasized that the brokers would only analyze data after the confidentiality agreement is signed and that any vendor changes or purchases would come back to the board for formal approval. Armstrong said if Blue Cross remained the best option after review, the county would owe no broker fees for the analysis; any later work would be subject to separate contracting.
The board asked staff to provide the necessary claims and enrollment data to the county administrator and HR so the brokers could begin analyses immediately.
Ending: The firm told the board it typically returns a side-by-side spreadsheet of options and the county set a goal to review the brokers' findings at the second board meeting in February.
