Osage County reviews employee health-plan options; requests quotes comparing current self-funded plan and state plan

On June 10 Osage County commissioners heard a presentation from the county’s benefits adviser comparing the county’s current self-funded health plan with the Kansas state plan and asked staff to prepare formal quotes so the board can evaluate coverage and cost trade-offs before plan renewal.

The adviser explained the county’s self-funded arrangement and presented estimated figures for 2024–2025. For 2025 the adviser presented a potential “worst-case” comparison showing the state plan’s total employer cost could be roughly $300,000 more than the county’s current maximum funding scenario, after estimated pharmacy rebates were netted off. The adviser said current year-to-date medical payments were down roughly 34 percent compared with the same period the prior year and noted that several large claims driving prior-year costs were no longer on the plan.

Commissioners and staff discussed employee contributions, plan design differences (deductibles, co-pays, coinsurance) and retention trade-offs: one commissioner emphasized that potential savings must be weighed against employee turnover risks. Commissioners asked the benefits adviser to produce: (1) a side-by-side quote comparing the county’s current self-funded plan to the state plan effective Jan. 1, (2) a quote showing current coverage if remaining self-funded but with requested plan design changes, and (3) a brief employee survey to gauge preferences.

No formal vote was taken; the board directed staff to return with written comparisons and recommended next steps before finalizing any changes for the approaching renewal window.