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Osage commissioners ask broker for cost comparison before deciding on state health plan
Summary
Commissioners debated joining the Kansas state employee health plan versus staying on a self‑funded Blue Cross arrangement, raising concerns about loss of local control and premium setting by the state commission; they asked the county broker to provide three quarters of claims data and side‑by‑side pricing for decision next week.
Commissioners discussed a proposed three‑year state employee health plan contract and compared it with options for remaining on a self‑funded Blue Cross plan. Staff members explained that if Osage County joined the state plan, a state commission would determine premium rates and the county would be subject to those terms; supporters noted the larger state pool offers broad coverage while opponents warned the state plan could reduce local control over contributions and contract terms.
One commissioner said the county should ask its broker to “shop the market” and provide a direct comparison between the county’s current self‑funded options and the state plan, including the cost of mirroring any county decision to increase the county portion of family premiums. Commissioners discussed timing and open‑enrollment windows; several said they wanted the broker to bring three quarters of claims data and matched pricing so the commission could vote no later than the next meeting.
No vote to join the state plan was taken Oct. 7. Commissioners asked staff to request cost comparisons from the broker and to clarify open‑enrollment timing so that, if the broker can provide timely comparisons, the commission could decide at the following meeting.
