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County outlines open-enrollment schedule and new plan options to hold employee premiums steady
Summary
HR director Marsha Snyder announced Dickinson County's open-enrollment schedule, on-site assistance days and new plan options designed to keep employee premiums stable while offering a higher out-of-pocket plan and a low-cost 'comfort fit' option with no primary-care copay but higher annual out-of-pocket maximums.
Marsha Snyder, the county human resources director, briefed the commission on the county's employee health insurance open enrollment and plan changes.
Snyder said open enrollment materials will be distributed to employees and that enrollment will run from the 10th through the 17th of the month, with on-site help available the 12th and 13th. Snyder told commissioners the county selected the new coverage through the carrier (not specified by transcript) and that the county worked to hold employee premium rates steady while offering two graded plan options.
Snyder described two 'comfort fit' plans: one with an out-of-pocket maximum around $5,000 and a second at about $6,350; both options reduce point-of-care copays by relying on plan coverage and out-of-pocket maximums. She also highlighted telemedicine (Teladoc) as a resource to help employees avoid higher co-pays for some visits.
Snyder recommended that employees seeking help during enrollment contact HR or the benefit representatives and encouraged staff to review bills and ask questions if charges appear incorrect. The HR director also raised the longer-term question of exploring self-insurance as a strategy to limit premium increases, and said staff would continue education efforts for employees on plan usage.
No formal action was required or taken at the meeting; Snyder said staff will send an enrollment booklet and materials to employees.
