Carl Junction board approves Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield renewal amid 14.9% cost increase

The Carl Junction Board of Aldermen voted to approve the city's Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance renewal after a staff presentation outlining rate changes and plan adjustments.

Steve, a city staff member presenting the packet, told the board the renewal reflects an overall 14.9% increase in costs driven in part by "one very large claim" this year and a separate moderate claim that skewed results. He described plan design changes that include lowering one deductible from $2,500 to $2,000 and introducing a $20.50 coinsurance on the base plan, which he said reduces the premium impact — the base plan increase was described as about 8.8%.

Council member Carol moved to accept the renewal "as presented," the motion was seconded by Walter, and the chair reported "7 in the affirmative," approving the renewal.

Steve said the city evaluated multiple plan configurations, including Freeman-only and combinations that would allow access to Mercy or UnitedHealthcare; staff found a dual-network option would have produced prohibitively high premiums. He also noted that staff had reviewed claims experience with Phil Weiss at the insurance center and that, to date, employees had not triggered the new coinsurance level.

The board did not record individual roll-call votes in the transcript; the chair announced the voice/hand tally and that one member was absent. No additional conditions or amendments to the renewal were recorded. The renewal will take effect per the insurer's schedule; staff did not state any follow-up tasks in the meeting record.

The board moved on to routine reports following the insurance vote.