County staff present 2.6% health‑plan renewal, propose zero‑cost medical coverage for sworn officers

DeKalb County benefits staff and consultants from Buck presented health plan renewal projections for the county’s plan year beginning July 1, 2025, reporting a projected 2.6% overall increase and outlining proposed benefit changes for sworn officers and high‑deductible health plans.

Presenters said the county expects to come in at approximately $123,000,000 in plan costs for the relevant period, producing a budgetary savings of about $7,000,000 compared with the budgeted amount. Separately, presenters noted a plan‑year‑to‑date projection for PYE 2026 of roughly $126,000,000 and observed the county had budgeted $130,000,000; the consultants said the renewal outcome reflects lower utilization and claims intensity in 2024 compared with previous expectations.

A central proposal discussed was a recruitment and retention enhancement for sworn police officers: the county would offer $0 cost coverage for medical, dental and vision for officers and their families if they enroll in the Anthem or Kaiser high‑deductible health plans; officers who choose another…