Chippewa County committee weighs FY2026 health‑care increases and GLP‑1 coverage but takes no action
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Summary
County staff told the committee to expect a 20–25% rise in health‑care renewal costs for FY2026; the committee also discussed stopping coverage of GLP‑1 weight‑loss prescriptions or raising copays after hearing the county has paid over $65,000 for weight‑loss GLP‑1s; no decisions were made pending more information.
County staff updated the committee on two benefit issues at the Aug. 5 meeting: an anticipated 20–25% increase in FY2026 health‑care renewal costs and mounting expense for GLP‑1 weight‑loss prescriptions.
Staff said the July 30 email to elected officials and department heads asked departments to assess the impact of the renewal increase, identify revenue opportunities, and pursue efficiency improvements. Committee members discussed options but did not take action; they asked staff for additional information and scheduled a follow‑up discussion.
On GLP‑1 drugs used for weight loss, the committee was told the county has paid more than $65,000 to date. Members discussed policy options including excluding GLP‑1s for weight‑loss uses only, raising monthly copays to $100–$200 (a $500 copay was discussed as covering less than half of the monthly prescription cost), or limiting coverage to medically necessary cases. Staff noted that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan stopped covering GLP‑1s for weight loss on fully insured plans as of Jan. 1, 2025, while continuing coverage for diabetes indications. The committee requested comparisons with other counties (noting Cheboygan, Otsego and Emmet do not cover GLP‑1s for weight loss and Antrim covers them if medically necessary) and asked staff to return with cost and policy options. No changes were approved at the meeting.