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Budget board hears benefits update showing lower claims year over year
Summary
Staff reported medical and prescription claims are running below last fiscal year totals; board members pressed for continued tracking and noted a large upcoming check register.
John Wilkerson, staff member, told the Budget Board on Jan. 2 that year-to-date medical and prescription claims are running below last fiscal year levels. “Overall medical compared to last fiscal year, we’re $988,000 under — 11% under where we were at last fiscal year at this point,” Wilkerson said. He added prescription costs were about $346,000 lower, leaving combined claims roughly $1.3 million below the previous fiscal year.
The update said reimbursements and one-time refunds in the previous year skew that comparison; when reimbursements are included the board is about 6% ($778,000) under last year. Wilkerson also reported COVID-related claims were building and that he is holding reimbursement filings until the amount reaches a larger batch: “Last fiscal year at this point, we’re at $366,000. This fiscal year, I haven’t filed any yet. I’ve just let them build up because we’re about $70,000 in COVID claims.”
Board members asked about revenue timing and whether the second half of the fiscal year typically shows higher claims. A member asked whether any large claims were expected; Wilkerson said a large weekly check register will post mid-month — roughly $690,000 for that week compared with about $450,000 for the same week last fiscal year — but that the program retains “some wiggle room.”
Board members discussed timing and procedural delays for transferring appropriations and receiving funds after BOCC (Board of County Commissioners) meetings; Wilkerson said deposits and check runs can introduce multi‑week timing gaps. He also said weekly tracking is being used so the board can compare current claims to prior averages.
The board took no formal vote on the benefits report and directed staff to continue weekly tracking and to coordinate with finance on timing of revenue and reimbursements.
