Larimer County outlines 2026 high-deductible health plan, employer HSA contribution and member resources

Larimer County benefits staff on a benefits webinar described the county's 2026 high-deductible health plan and the accounts and services paired with it. Jennifer Whitener, the county's benefits manager, said the HDHP uses an embedded deductible and listed in-network deductibles of $3,400 for single coverage and $6,800 for family coverage for the 2026 plan year. "Once you've paid $3,400, that's it. Then claims start paying at 100%," Whitener said, explaining that the plan carries no copays or coinsurance after the deductible is met.

Whitener said the county will contribute to employees' health savings accounts (HSAs) for those enrolled in the HDHP to help build balances. "Over the course of the year, the county's gonna put 1000 dollars into that account on your behalf," she said, adding that employer funds are deposited equally over 24 pay periods. The county uses Surency as the HSA administrator; Whitener encouraged employees to register for the Surency app to file claims, view tax documents and manage reimbursements.

The benefits team highlighted tools and vendors designed to reduce out-of-pocket costs. Whitener noted UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus discounts apply and urged employees to have providers submit claims to obtain network discounts before paying bills. Prescription benefits are administered by CVS Caremark; Whitener said members pay full cost for prescriptions until the deductible is met but that Caremark offers a $0 preventive drug list and a pricing tool to compare pharmacy prices by ZIP code. "If that manufacturer coupon saves you money so that you only have to pay $10 for that medication, then that $10 will apply towards your in-network deductible," Whitener said.

The webinar also reviewed free or reduced-cost services available to county employees: Teladoc (virtual acute care, behavioral health and dermatology) is free on the plan; Rachel Sporleiter said Teladoc coverage for HDHP members takes effect 1/1/26 and recommended reinstalling the Teladoc app if members see account-discontinuation messages. Whitener recommended SecondMD for free second-opinion consults and said employees receive a $100 reward for completing a first annual consult. The county's wellness clinic at 2601 Midpointe Drive offers preventive exams, lab draws, immunizations, a registered dietitian and physical therapy; non-preventive clinic services generally carry a $45 service fee.

Whitener cautioned that preventive services are covered at 100% only if billed as preventive care; diagnostic follow-ups (for example, a diagnostic mammogram billed for follow-up of a prior finding) are not automatically covered at 100% under the HDHP. She also noted that HSA contribution limits are set by the IRS and that employer contributions count toward those limits; employees should consult benefits materials or the IRS for the definitive annual limit.

The county advised employees to register at umr.com to access ID cards, claims history, explanations of benefits and a cost estimator tool, and to use the Surency site (surency.com/company/larimer-co) to set up HSA accounts. The session closed with contact details for the benefits team, an offer to help with claims questions, and reminders that the webinar was recorded and that related webinars will be scheduled in alternating weeks.

The benefits team answered chat questions about Teladoc setup, Surency app scanning to check HSA-eligible items, continued use of old FSA cards with the HSA until expiration, and how manufacturer coupons affect deductible credit. The presentation ended with a reminder that recordings and materials will be posted on the county HR site and that attendees would receive 20 Nectar points for participation.