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Custer County commissioners authorize request for proposals on workers' compensation and employee benefits
Summary
The board voted to issue an RFP to hire a broker/adviser to market the county's workers' compensation, medical, dental and vision plans and to evaluate alternatives to the county's current pool membership.
Custer County commissioners voted to issue a request for proposals to retain a broker and adviser to solicit bids for the county's workers' compensation insurance and employee benefit plans, including medical, dental and vision coverage.
The RFP will ask brokers to describe their fee structure and to identify markets and carriers they would approach on the county's behalf. County staff said the broker would also be asked to provide ongoing claims evaluation and renewals support to hold down premiums.
The board framed the move as a market check rather than a rejection of the county's current pool arrangement with County Technical Services, Inc. (CTSI). A presenter told commissioners the goal is to determine whether equal or better coverage can be obtained at lower cost and whether a broker would actively audit claims and recommend loss-control steps.
Commissioners discussed how brokers may be paid — either by fee or other methods — and asked that the RFP require bidders to disclose fees. County staff said the RFP would request that respondents explain how they would audit claims and work with carriers to reduce premiums without violating HIPAA rules.
A commissioner noted the county has not historically received proactive loss-control assistance from the pool and said the county is seeking a broker who will deliver regular recommendations to reduce claims and premiums. Staff said the RFP would include evaluation criteria and that, if selected, the broker would help the county evaluate provider responses and negotiate vendor contracts.
The motion to issue the RFP passed unanimously. Commissioners did not commit to hiring any particular broker or to changing carriers; staff said those decisions would follow evaluation of proposals and meet any contractual notice requirements to CTSI.
Votes and next steps: staff said they will publish the RFP publicly, send it to targeted brokers and set a timeline aimed at having broker recommendations available in time to meet the county's October 1 notice obligations if a carrier change is pursued.
