Board approves revised employee health plan with new PPO option, discontinues EPO

The board approved changes to the district’s employee health insurance lineup after a presentation from broker Matt Tritz outlining projected claims and plan design options.

Tritz told the board the district’s self‑funded plan renewal projection for July 1 to June 30 was “just shy of $19,500,000,” an increase that the benefits committee estimated at about 12% above the current budget. To mitigate the increase, the committee recommended sunsetting the most expensive EPO option (effective July 1), adding a PPO 2 base plan, discontinuing some ancillary programs (Smart Shopper and Tria Health), and adjusting employee payroll contributions and the employer HSA seed at lower levels.

The board discussed the number of staff currently on the EPO plan (approximately 155 employee‑only enrollments) and emphasized the need for clear communications and enrollment support for those who will choose among remaining plans. Administration said employee contributions would rise in some tiers but that employee‑only contributions were being equalized across plans as a positive change. The motion to adopt the recommended plan and begin pre‑enrollment was moved, seconded and approved by roll call.

Speakers and administrators emphasized outreach to affected employees so that staff currently enrolled in the EPO option understand alternative choices before open enrollment begins.