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Brazos River Authority board approves continuation of fully insured Blue Cross plan with 1% premium increase
Summary
The Brazos River Authority board authorized the general manager to renew a fully insured medical plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas after an RFP process; HUB International negotiated the premium increase down to 1%, which the authority will absorb so employees see no change.
The Brazos River Authority board voted unanimously to authorize the general manager to continue the Authority’s fully insured medical plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas for the 2026 plan year, accepting a negotiated 1% premium increase.
Chief Human Resource Officer Crystal told directors that HUB International issued an RFP and obtained competitive proposals; Blue Cross initially quoted a 7% increase but HUB negotiated that down to 1%, producing an estimated $42,000 increase to the Authority’s cost. “There won’t be any impact to our employees this year from this rate increase. We anticipate that the Brazos River Authority will absorb the 1% increase for our employees,” Crystal said during the presentation.
Crystal also summarized enrollment across plan tiers and the rationale for the brokerage decision: roughly two-thirds of employees are on the PPO, about 31% on a high-deductible HSA option and 3% on an HMO introduced last year. The resolution read to the board noted HUB received three responses to the RFP and recommended remaining with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. The resolution also said total employer-plus-employee medical premiums for the 2026 plan year will not exceed $4,500,000.
The motion to adopt the resolution was made by Director Luis and seconded by Director Henderson; a roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval.
The board’s action authorizes the general manager/CEO to execute agreements necessary to continue coverage under the rates quoted for the 2026 plan year. There were no amendments to employee cost-sharing reported in the meeting; staff said the Authority will absorb the premium increase.
