Vernon Hills staff recommend renewing health and dental with Blue Cross Blue Shield; board approves and schedules open enrollment

Village staff presented the annual employee‑benefits renewal and recommended the village renew health and dental coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield, citing network comparability, prescription‑drug networks and a small bundle discount.

“Health insurance is also provided to our retirees, which pay 100% of the premium,” the benefits presenter said, then reviewed plan enrollment, employer contribution levels and total annualized costs. Staff said the village currently covers roughly $2.0 million of the $2.9 million total annualized cost across health, dental, vision and group life.

Staff summarized three options: renew both health and dental with Blue Cross Blue Shield (option 1, the recommendation); keep health with Blue Cross and switch dental to Nippon Life (option 2); or switch both health and dental to Aetna and Nippon Life (option 3). Staff said Aetna’s quote was roughly $18,000 (just under 1%) less than the Blue Cross renewal overall, but that Aetna’s HMO and HSA premiums increased in ways staff judged counterproductive to the village’s goal of encouraging HSA participation.

Trustees discussed using insurance cooperatives and asked staff to explore alternative purchasing arrangements and to provide education for employees about HSAs; staff said it will schedule open‑enrollment materials and Zoom sessions for employees. The board approved ordinance 2024‑134 by unanimous roll call and directed staff to begin open enrollment and return any repeal/rescheduling of a related item to a future meeting.