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DeKalb committee recommends rate pass for employee health benefits; open enrollment May 5–19
Summary
County staff presented the open-enrollment plan and asked the IRPS Committee to recommend a rate pass for active employees and pre-65 retirees; the committee approved recommending a rate pass to the full Board. Open enrollment will run May 5–19 with a passive rollover for most employees and special assistance for less tech-savvy staff.
DeKalb County staff presented the county’s open-enrollment strategy and the IRPS Committee voted to recommend a rate pass — holding employee premiums at current levels — for active employees and pre-65 retirees.
Benefits staff outlined the open-enrollment calendar and support plan. “Open enrollment this year starts May 5 and gives employees a full 2 weeks through May 19 to make their open enrollment elections,” the presenter said, noting the county’s passive enrollment approach for most employees and mandatory active elections for those who use health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts or commuter benefits.
County staff described a multi-channel outreach plan that includes email blasts, site visits by open-enrollment professionals for departments with less technology access (sanitation, roads and drainage, jail staff), and an eight-hour-a-day call center staffed for the 14-day period. Counselors will be able to process elections by phone and provide a confirmation page via email.
On plan pricing, staff said the county’s self-funded plan produced a favorable renewal this year: a 2.6% increase in projected costs, smaller than the double-digit health-care increases seen elsewhere. The administration proposed that the county absorb the small increase and ask the Board to approve a rate pass — keeping premiums for active employees and pre-65 retirees at current levels. The staff presenter said, “For the most part, all of the general employees will see no increase in their premiums, pre 65 retirees, no increase in premiums.”
Committee members asked about communications timing and outreach. Commissioner Shakira Johnson requested an early notice (postcard or pre-announcement) to encourage earlier participation; staff said they would add reminders and countdown notices during the enrollment period.
Committee members also raised targeted benefit questions. Commissioners discussed an administration plan to provide a deeper premium subsidy for sworn police officers such that, if an officer selects the lowest-cost HSA plan, their premium would be $0; higher-cost plans would require officers to pay only the difference. Commissioners asked staff to consider whether comparable supports could be extended to fire and E-911 personnel.
The committee voted to recommend the rate pass to the April 22 Board of Commissioners agenda. Staff said open enrollment materials and tutorials will be available to employees, and the county will present the pension discussion at a later meeting.
