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County awards stop-loss insurance to Highmark with $1.37 million annual premium
Summary
The Board awarded a stop-loss insurance contract to Highmark (Pittsburgh) for the county’s medical and prescription plan; the selected option carries an annual premium of $1,366,561 and a $175,000 specific stop-loss per claimant.
Brandy Kentner, director of purchasing, recommended awarding contract PUR 17-39 for stop-loss insurance to Highmark of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Kentner said Highmark submitted a total annual premium for option 1 of $1,366,561 with a specific stop-loss of $175,000 per claimant.
Kentner explained that stop-loss insurance limits the plan’s exposure to unusually large individual claims. The county currently maintains a stop-loss policy with the same $175,000 per-member limit, she said. The solicitation was sent to 24 potential providers; six proposals were received by the May 19, 2025 deadline, and CBIz provided a consultant summary to staff.
Funding for the policy was confirmed to be available in the FY26 health insurance budget. A motion to award the contract to Highmark was moved and the Board approved the award by a recorded voice vote of 5–0.
Jackie Lewis of CVS benefits insurance and Chip Rose, director of human resources, were present during the item to answer technical questions. Kentner said staff will finalize the vendor contract consistent with the RFP and consultant recommendations.
