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Douglas County trustees approve 2026 health plan changes to shore up self-funded program
Summary
Trustees unanimously approved a package of changes to the district's employee health benefits that the plan's advisory committee said are needed to keep the district's self-funded program solvent.
Trustees unanimously approved a package of changes to the district’s employee health benefits that the plan’s advisory committee said are needed to keep the district’s self-funded program solvent.
Carrie Stack, who presented the committee’s recommendations, told the board that LP Insurance’s earlier estimate showed the plan would need a 15.63% revenue increase; the committee’s final proposal reduces that to about 14.6%, or roughly $1.3 million. “We don’t have a claim problem,” Stack said, summarizing LP Insurance’s guidance; “we have a revenue problem.”
The recommended changes include adjustments to employee premiums, deductibles and co-pays and an increase in the district’s monthly contribution. Committee staff summarized the district-side impact as roughly $117 per covered employee per month and said the new rates would be effective Jan. 1, 2026. Leanne Karas, benefits and risk coordinator, outlined that the advisory committee is made up of union representatives, district leadership and plan administrators from Hometown Health and the district’s broker, LP Insurance.
Board members questioned whether the change merely shifts the cost into the general fund and whether it should be permanent. Trustee Erin Knighting asked whether the increase would now be an ongoing district commitment; staff replied the change would be permanent unless the committee later recommends otherwise. In response to questions about annual bid cycles and market alternatives, staff explained the district has historically been able to secure more favorable terms as a self-funded plan and that fully funded marketplace offers have in the past been less competitive.
The board voted to approve the committee’s recommended benefit revisions for plan year 2026. District staff said open enrollment will begin Nov. 1 and that the approved rates will be reflected on Jan. 1, 2026, when the plan year begins.
Ending note: trustees and advisory committee members said they will continue to monitor claims, provider choices and plan usage to avoid year-to-year large adjustments.
