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Clermont County keeps 2026 health plan design largely intact; recommends 3% rise in employee premiums
Summary
County HR recommended renewing benefits carriers with only one required deductible increase and a 3% increase to employee premium share; commissioners approved renewals and the medical plan, with one abstention recorded on the acknowledgment vote.
Clermont County commissioners on Sept. 24 approved acknowledgments of carrier renewals for 2026 and a recommendation from the county's Health Care Advisory Committee to adopt the proposed medical and prescription drug coverage for calendar year 2026.
The county reported an Anthem SEPCO renewal showing a 9.9% premium increase, but officials said one-time funds used in the current year largely offset the immediate budget pressure. Human Resources recommended no major plan design changes — other than a required $100 increase to the single deductible for the county's high-deductible health plan — and proposed a 3% increase to the county-paid employee benefit credits (employees' share of premiums) for 2026.
"Alternative plan designs were explored, but no recommended changes were made because the minimal cost savings compared to the impact that would have on employees was not felt worth it," Human Resources Director Sandy Tahat said during the meeting. She noted a $1.5 million one-time contribution used for run-out costs this year would not recur, which factored into the recommendation.
The board first voted to acknowledge listed carrier renewals (Anthem SEPCO, MetLife Dental, EyeMed, Mutual of Omaha, and automatic renewals for third-party administrators). Commissioner David Painter recorded an abstention on the acknowledgment vote; Commissioners Corcoran and Bachelor voted yes and the motion passed. The board then approved the recommendation to implement the 2026 medical and prescription drug coverage and the cafeteria plan changes reflecting a 3% increase to employee contributions; that motion passed by roll call.
Human Resources staff said a decision on ancillary benefits is needed so that contracts can be terminated or continued as appropriate and that carriers requested a decision on medical by the end of the month. The board added the items to the agenda as an add-on and voted on them the same day.
The approvals set the county's benefit carriers and funding direction for 2026 and instruct administration to complete contract actions consistent with the board's votes.
