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County adopts voluntary 'Covera' membership for employees; staff say it should reduce premium increases
Summary
Winona County approved a voluntary subscription health-membership program (referred to in the meeting as Covera) that staff say will lower projected premium increases and produce roughly $60,450 in county savings after accounting for a $61,000 membership fee; commissioners requested follow-up metrics and employee education plans.
Winona County approved joining a voluntary employee health-membership service that county staff say will reduce projected premium increases and generate net savings for the county.
Todd Sadler, introducing the item, told the board the recommended subscription service would lower the county's projected premium increase from about 28% to approximately 24.2% and that the county’s estimated gross savings would be about $60,450 annually. He said the membership fee would be roughly $61,000 a year. “The savings would be $60,450,” Sadler said while reviewing the projected premium-rate comparisons.
Supporters emphasized the program is voluntary for staff and that greater employee uptake would increase cost savings. One commissioner said, “As long as it's voluntary for the staff, I support it,” and several commissioners asked staff to ensure Covera (transcript variously spelled “Carva,” “Kavera” and “Covera”) would send local representatives to explain services to employees. Staff said the term is one year with a 60-day notice to cancel and committed to a six-month usage and savings report if the board approves.
Board members asked specific questions about how telehealth and prescription services work, whether high-cost drugs would be covered, where lab services would be provided and who would perform employee education. Staff said the service offers telehealth triage and in-home or local lab options and that health-plan brokers and Covera would meet with employees for education if the county moves forward.
The board voted in favor of the membership. Commissioners emphasized monitoring the program’s utilization and savings and requested a follow-up report in about six months showing county cost impact and employee use rates.
Next steps: staff to secure the one-year subscription, schedule an employee information session with Covera and NorthRisk, and provide a utilization and savings report to the board in six months.
