Monroe County council approves $3 million cushion for self-insured health plan amid rising claims

Monroe County Council approved a supplemental request on Tuesday to increase the county's internal reserves for employee health claims, agreeing to provide $3 million to the self-insured plan and related appropriations after a long discussion and presentations from employee-services staff and benefits advisers.

The council voted 6-1 to approve a $3,000,000 request in county general personnel to shore up the self-insurance fund. Councilor Hawk cast the lone dissent. Later in the meeting council also approved supplemental transfers for the self-insurance and associated service lines (recorded roll-call votes recorded as 6-1 and 6-1 for related motions).

Employee Services and outside benefits consultant Apex Benefits told the council revenue and claims trends over the last 12 months showed both higher enrollment and an increase in claim severity. Apex representatives said the county's self-insured arrangement has generally…