Council approved an amendment lowering the previously established minimum enrollment threshold for Plan 8, a new high-deductible health savings account (HSA) option for city employees.

Laura (title not specified in the transcript) reported that open enrollment produced four sign-ups for Plan 8, short of the five-person minimum council had set when the plan was added. Laura said staff believed the option benefited employees who had chosen it and anticipated more enrollments in future years as other plans change.

Council discussed the arbitrary nature of the five-person threshold and agreed the city should proceed with the four employees who enrolled. A motion to amend the earlier recommendation from five to four passed on roll call.

Next steps: the city will offer Plan 8 for employees with the four current participants; staff said they expect enrollment to grow as employees learn more about the option.