Vermillion County approves Jan. 1 health-insurance renewal, accepts 6% rate increase
November 06, 2025 | Vermillion County, Indiana
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James Twitchell, an insurance committee member, told the board the committee sought the 1/1 renewal to better align budgets and that Anthem’s initial renewal quote had been 10% before negotiations reduced it to 6%. "We were able to negotiate it down to 6," James said, adding the county’s recent claims experience made the lower increase achievable but not guaranteed.
The county had previously been on a May 1 renewal schedule. Twitchell said the committee hoped a 1/1 renewal would give the county more predictable year-to-year budgeting. He also described ongoing internal discussion about plan-design changes that could reduce the county’s share of the increase, including moving to a 91/9 or 90/10 employer/employee cost-share or adding a higher-deductible HSA option. "Employees currently pay 8% of premium across tiers," he said. "We have talked about maybe 91/9 or a 90/10 spread on that 6%, but we haven't reached agreement yet."
Commissioners voted to approve the move to a Jan. 1 renewal and the 6% increase, and they authorized the five-member insurance committee to finalize plan-design details for open enrollment. The board’s approval allows the committee to pursue final negotiations and prepare materials for employees ahead of December open enrollment.
The motion approved tonight concerned the renewal timing and the 6% rate increase; the committee will recommend any changes to deductibles or contribution structure within the delegated authority. The county’s risk consultant and an actuary provided input to the committee during deliberations, but Twitchell warned there is no guarantee a rate hold will be possible if claims worsen over the next several months.
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