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Granite County approves alternate health‑insurance tier aimed at lowering family premiums
Summary
The county approved Mako Healthcare Trust’s 'alternate tier option 2,' adjusting the county contribution to $17.22 (including dental) to reduce family premiums; commissioners debated cost, projected participation, and budget impact before passing the motion by voice vote.
Granite County commissioners voted on March 8 to adopt Mako Healthcare Trust’s alternate tier option 2 for the county’s employee health plan. The change adjusts tiering so family coverage is comparatively cheaper for employees while raising the county’s monthly contribution from the previous level to $17.22 per employee (including dental), according to the presentation from Mako representatives.
Pam Walling of Mako explained the mechanics: the plan slightly increases the single premium while lowering costs for spouse and child coverage, using a revised tiering ratio to shift dollars within the same overall premium 'bucket.' Mako and county staff told the commission that four employees currently carry spouse coverage, two employees carry member+children coverage and two cover a full family (eight of 37 total employees), so immediate uptake is expected to be modest.
Commissioners discussed whether the county should increase its contribution to cover the new tiering; staff indicated the actuarial model keeps the aggregate premium pool the same but redistributes how much employees pay depending on who they add. County officials estimated the option 2 change would increase county costs by roughly $29,748 annually under current enrollment; a more conservative 16.50 contribution would cost about $16,872. The commission largely favored a one‑year trial to see if more dependents enroll and whether experience improves.
A motion by a commissioner to renew the county’s rates with alternate tier option 2 (at $16.79 for health plus $43 for dental, producing a $17.22 total contribution figure) was seconded and approved by voice vote. Commissioners instructed staff and Mako to proceed with enrollment materials and to assist employees with choices during open enrollment.
The motion passed during the business portion of the meeting; no formal roll‑call was recorded in the transcript. County staff said the contribution and eligibility forms would be updated and returned to Mako.
