Bourbon County commissioners review health plan options, staff warn employees could face higher out-of-pocket costs

Bourbon County commissioners spent their work session reviewing proposed changes to the county’s employee health insurance, hearing detailed plan comparisons from county staff and public commenters and asking the county’s broker to supply side‑by‑side cost comparisons before a final decision.

Susan, the county clerk, told commissioners that 74% of employees are enrolled in the county’s Plan A and that the proposed 2026 options raise deductibles and increase coinsurance. “Plan A has a deductible of $1,000 for individual, and $2,000 for family, with a maximum out of pocket of $5,000 and $10,000 for family, with a 20% coinsurance,” she said, then summarized proposed changes: higher deductibles (up to $3,500 in the best new option) and coinsurance that would rise from 20% to 40% on some services.

The clerk also outlined premium figures and alternatives. She said employee‑only premiums the county has covered at about $902 would be near $836–$844 for certain health savings account (HSA) options and that the…