Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Benefits Plan Design topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Morgan County keeps 2026 premium funding steady, raises HDHP deductible and upgrades vision benefit; clinic and payroll timing adjusted
Summary
The Morgan County Insurance Board voted on multiple 2026 benefit design items, keeping premium equivalents and payroll contributions at 2025 levels while increasing the HDHP single deductible by $100, approving HSA contribution amounts, upgrading vision benefits, and approving a payroll-deduction timing change tied to a 27-pay calendar.
The Morgan County Insurance Board voted on multiple 2026 employee-benefit decisions during its Sept. 15 meeting, approving a package that keeps premium equivalents and payroll contributions at 2025 levels while making a small deductible increase to the high-deductible health plan and upgrading vision benefits.
Board members approved raising the minimum individual deductible for the high-deductible health plan by $100 to $3,400 for 2026 while keeping the preferred provider organization (PPO) premiums and coverages identical to 2025. "My recommendation ... is match for PPO and high deductible health plan both," a benefits presenter said; the board voted to adopt that recommendation. The board also voted to continue funding at the actuarial "midpoint" for next year to maintain cash reserves.
The board approved keeping employee payroll contribution rates equal to 2025 levels. The board approved employee Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution levels at $1,500 for single coverage and $3,000 for employee-plus-dependent and family coverage.
On vision benefits, the board approved moving to the plan labeled "better," which increases the frame allowance from $130 to $180 and adds a light-care benefit for nonprescription protective eyewear; staff reported the employee cost increase is small (examples in the presentation: approximately $0.65 more per month for employee-only coverage and about $1.81 per month for family coverage) while providing a larger allowance for frames.
Staff also delivered an ancillary-products report noting two-year contracts remain in place and no other ancillary changes were recommended. Separately, staff updated the board about a new Municipal Wellness Clinic expected to open for employee use in mid-December with operations directed for January 1 enrollment; the clinic will be located in a strip mall behind the former Walmart site, pending permits and final setup.
To accommodate a 27-pay calendar next year, staff proposed and the board approved a payroll-deduction timing change for December: during the month that contains three paydays, the recommendation is to collect all normal insurance deductions on the first two December paychecks and not to collect insurance deductions on the third December paycheck. Board members said payroll staff confirmed the administrative change was feasible.
Votes on these items were recorded by voice and carried unanimously.
