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Adams County OKs 2026 stop-loss renewal, holds employee premiums steady; PBM switch discussion deferred
Summary
The Adams County Board of Commissioners approved renewal of the countystop-loss insurance with Artellus for 2026, absorbing a roughly $28,000 premium increase without raising employee contributions. Commissioners asked staff to continue negotiations over pharmacy benefit manager options and return with more information.
Adams County commissioners voted to renew the countystop-loss policy with Artellus for 2026, approving a premium increase from about $812,000 to $840,000 and directing county staff to absorb the additional cost rather than raising employee contributions.
Human-resources staff said the stop-loss deductible and carrier arrangement remain the same; the transcript records the plandeductible at $55,000. Shannon, who presented benefits items to the board, said expected total plan costs rose by roughly $100,000 but that the county would not pass the increase onto employees.
The change drew follow-up discussion about the countypharmacy benefit manager (PBM). Presenters reported that a move from CVS Caremark to Northwind could increase transparency and long-term oversight of pharmacy spending, but implementing Northwind would require a one-time systems integration fee that rose during negotiations. Staff said Allied originally quoted $6,000 for integration but later said the cost would be $15,000; Northwind would cover part of that fee but not the full amount under current offers.
Commissioners asked staff to return with more information about Northwindand about the recurring administrative costs that would apply if the county used Northwind while remaining on Allied as third-party administrator. Shannon said she and benefits staff would pursue further discussions with Northwind before recommending a final change.
The board made the stop-loss renewal motion and the motion passed during the meeting; the board also directed that employee contributions remain unchanged. Shannon said the county has not raised employee contributions since February 2016.
Ending: County staff will finalize paperwork for the Artellus renewal and continue follow-up with PBM vendors; commissioners asked for a report back once Northwind responds to the countyquestions about implementation and annual administrative charges.
