County health plan premiums fall 3.97% for 2025–26; wellness blood draw incentive to continue

The Kings County Board of Supervisors approved renewal rates for the county health insurance plan for fiscal year 2025–26 on April 29, accepting the Health Insurance Advisory Committee’s recommendation to pursue a plan offering a 3.97% reduction in premiums for employees and the county.

Sarah Poots, the county’s risk manager, said committee members met with the county’s benefits broker, the Baldwin Group, and recommended the proposal that produced the largest combined reduction for employees and the county. "The decrease in premiums is a direct result of high utilization in the 2024–25 fiscal year," Poots said, explaining that the stop-loss reinsurance policy reimbursed more than $1.3 million to the county in the most recent 12 months, funds now deposited back into the health insurance fund.

The board also approved continuation of the county’s wellness incentive: a blood-draw program that provides a $50 incentive to eligible employees and dependents who participate. Poots and the Baldwin Group noted that participation in the blood-draw program increased over the previous year and likely contributed to better claims experience.

Why it matters: The board’s vote reduces employee-paid premium contributions and lowers the county’s projected health-plan cost for the coming fiscal year. The county will factor the reduced employer contribution into the FY 2025–26 budget.

Board action: The board voted to accept the recommendation from the Health Insurance Advisory Committee and approved the renewal with the 3.97% decrease and continuation of the wellness blood-draw incentive. Committee members and Baldwin Group representatives were present to answer questions.

Outcome: Approved on roll call; staff will incorporate the reduced premium levels into the county budget for FY 2025–26.