Leavenworth County to switch health insurer, sets 60/40 cost split for 2025–26 benefits

The Leavenworth County Board of County Commissioners voted to change the county's employee health insurance from Aetna to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas for the 2025'26 plan year and set a 60% county / 40% employee split of the premium increase.

County Administrator Mark (last name not specified in the transcript) told commissioners Aetna's initial renewal proposal was a 24% increase. After a market search conducted by the county's broker, Blue Cross Blue Shield returned the lowest renewal with a 14.4% increase, Mark said. He proposed sharing that increase between the county and employees rather than the county absorbing it entirely.

The county's packet included example monthly cost changes Mark cited: on the county's high-deductible plan, employee-only premiums would increase about $64 per month and family premiums about $145 per month. Mark said a straight fifty-fifty split would have meant roughly $327,000 in additional county expense; he estimated a 60/40 split would raise the county's share by roughly $70,000 to $100,000 compared with a 50/50 split.

Commissioners debated other splits during the meeting. One commissioner said keeping benefits competitive to retain staff argued against placing more of the increase on employees; other commissioners emphasized the county budget's limited capacity and urged employees to use wellness options the county offers. Mark said only about 75 of roughly 300 eligible plan members have used the county's wellness incentive to date.

Mark and other speakers said Blue Cross Blue Shield has also agreed to help fund an on-site clinic for employees in the coming plan year; the county hopes the clinic and higher wellness participation will reduce future claims.

A motion to authorize the change and implement the 60/40 split was made, seconded, and approved by roll call. The board also approved the consent agenda earlier in the meeting and approved a county commissioner to serve on the City of Leavenworth's economic roundtable.

Why this matters: Commissioners said double-digit annual increases in recent years make the county's previous practice of absorbing most premium increases unsustainable. The approved change sets the insurer for the coming plan year, adjusts employee cost exposure, and commits the county to ongoing efforts (wellness incentives and an employee clinic) meant to limit future premium growth.

Votes at a glance - Switch insurer from Aetna to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas for the 2025'26 plan year; adopt employer/employee split of the premium increase at 60% county / 40% employee. Outcome: approved (roll-call aye votes). Notes: Blue Cross Blue Shield renewal cited as a 14.4% increase vs. Aetna's initial 24% renewal proposal; county examples: employee-only +$64/month, family +$145/month; estimated county additional cost vs. 50/50 ~ $70,000'$100,000. - Consent agenda: accepted as presented. Outcome: approved. - Appointment: Commissioner Vanessa (first name only in transcript) appointed as county representative to the City of Leavenworth economic roundtable. Outcome: approved.

Speakers quoted or paraphrased in this article include the county administrator, commissioners and benefits staff. Direct quotes were limited in the record; the article reports the numerical figures and formal outcomes presented at the meeting.