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Belknap County awards health-benefits broker contract to CGI after competitive RFP
Summary
After an RFP that drew seven responses, the county unanimously voted to name CGI Business Solutions as its broker of record to advise on health-plan renewals and benefits administration; commissioners recorded a carried motion to award the contract.
The Belknap County Board of Commissioners voted to award an RFP for employee-health-benefit consulting and brokerage to CGI Business Solutions, after a multi-month review and interviews with bidders.
Dan Crowe, who introduced himself as president of CGI, and colleagues Mackenzie McDowell and Sue Sullivan presented CGI’s services to the board, describing consulting, benefits administration, retiree billing, COBRA administration, compliance support and access to an employment-law partner. CGI representatives told the board there is no additional fee to the county for those services because consulting fees are built into carrier rates.
The county’s benefits-review team — which included staff from corrections, maintenance and human resources — solicited bids and received seven responses, the county said. Officials interviewed five brokers, narrowed the field to three and unanimously recommended CGI to the board. County staff told commissioners the county spends about $4 million annually on employee health insurance (premiums plus opt-outs and opt-downs) and that the RFP review focused on maximizing value while containing premiums.
CGI advised commissioners that a move to any partially self-funded model would be premature for the 2026 plan year because the county lacks the detailed monthly claims data needed to underwrite a self-funded arrangement. CGI said such models can produce savings over time — particularly on pharmacy costs — but require robust claims transparency to evaluate viability. CGI described several funding models (fully insured, partially self-funded with stop-loss/reinsurance, and individual coverage HRAs) and provided case studies of other clients.
After presentations and a staff recommendation, a commissioner moved to award the RFP to CGI; another commissioner seconded. Commissioners voted “aye” and the motion carried. County staff said the award will make CGI the county’s broker of record and that CGI will work with county HR staff on a market comparison for the next renewal, including proposals from Anthem and Harvard Pilgrim.
County staff said CGI will also provide technology and enrollment support, claims advocacy for employees, and compliance calendars (including Medicare Part D notices) through third-party partners. The board did not approve a change in funding model at the meeting; CGI will next provide comparative renewal proposals and staff will return with analysis and recommendations.
