Chippewa County board adopts employee premiums, four-tier health plan for 2026

The Chippewa County Board of Supervisors on a 20‑0 vote approved Resolution 31‑25 on funding for the county’s 2026 health insurance plan, moving to a four‑tier premium structure and instituting employee contributions.

County administration explained the changes as steps intended to contain rising insurance costs. The county’s presenter said officials had contracted a consultant who projected a 24.5% rate increase for next year and that the county “just can't sustain” current employer‑only funding levels. To respond, the resolution establishes a 3.2% premium for single coverage and a higher 6.7% premium for the other tiers after the county changes from a two‑tier (single/family) to a four‑tier system (single, employee–spouse, employee–children, family).

Under the county’s estimate presented to the board, the monthly employee contribution levels by tier translate approximately to $30 per month for single coverage, $150 for employee–spouse, $124 for employee–children, and $212 for family coverage based on current enrollments. The presenter said the change is expected to generate about $629,000 in employee premium payments using current enrollment, while the county also plans to increase its employer contribution by 5%. The county will retain the current HRA design — $500 per person up to a $2,000 family cap.

The county forecast modest enrollment shifts as some employees opt onto spouses’ plans or change tiers; staff projected enrollment could decline from 363 current enrollees to an estimated 350 after changes take effect. The presenter said the tiered premiums and anticipated enrollment shifts were intended both to reduce the county’s outlay and to influence utilization patterns.

Supervisors asked questions about wellness incentives and network access. Supervisor Henick asked whether the county had considered incentive programs for smoking cessation or weight loss; staff said existing wellness components are available through the county’s plan and that the county is evaluating other wellness options. A supervisor asked about the insurer network; staff said networks include Marshfield, Mayo and other regional providers and noted the county’s third‑party administrator is Anthem. The presenter also said the county is switching a vendor from Aletheus to Amplify to help employees find lower‑cost providers.

The board approved the resolution 20‑0. The county administrator and human resources staff will implement the new premium schedule and plan changes for the 2026 benefit year.