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Anaconda Deer Lodge County commission votes to switch workers' compensation carrier to Montana State Fund
Summary
At a special meeting the county commission approved switching workers' compensation coverage from MMIA to the Montana State Fund, following a presentation that cited about 37% estimated premium savings, guaranteed-cost policy terms, and Montana State Fund capacity and dividend history.
The Anaconda Deer Lodge County commission voted at a special meeting to switch the county's workers' compensation coverage from the Municipal Mutual Insurance Authority (MMIA) to the Montana State Fund, following presentations that cited an estimated roughly 37% reduction in the county's expiring premium and concerns about MMIA's long-term viability.
The commission's chief executive (speaker S3) introduced the item, saying the county had explored alternatives for about 18 months and that a 60-day notice requirement to leave MMIA had created urgency. A Marsh McLennan Agency representative, Roe Vazoman (S2), walked the commission through a written proposal and a year-over-year spreadsheet showing the projected savings and said the state fund offered a guaranteed-cost program with services intended to reduce losses.
"This is a guaranteed cost program, meaning that the premium that you pay will not go up throughout the policy term," Marsh representative Roe Vazoman said, summarizing a key feature of the Montana State Fund proposal. Vazoman also pointed to Montana State Fund metrics presented to the commission, citing approximately 22,000 policyholders and nearly $177,000,000 in written premium, and noted a long record of declared dividends.
Chief executive (S3) emphasized the size of the quoted savings in urging consideration: "It's 37% off the top," he said, and warned that the commission faced potential risk if MMIA membership continued to decline among larger cities.
Commissioners questioned timing and process. One commissioner (S4) asked, "Well, I'm I'm just wondering why we're here two days before the deadline," noting it appeared late to be acting so close to MMIA's notice window. County staff and the chief executive responded that work on the alternative had been ongoing and that the current enrollment timeline required a prompt decision to meet the 60-day notice requirement for leaving MMIA.
Vazoman described other features the county would gain with Montana State Fund service: dedicated loss-control specialists, in-house claims advocates, medical case management and claims quality resources, and a non-assessable, guaranteed-cost structure that avoids potential post-policy assessments that can occur with some pooled plans. He also explained that retro plans, which share gains and losses, generally are less appropriate for tax-supported public entities.
After discussion, a commissioner (speaker S5) moved to switch the workers' compensation carrier from MMIA to the Montana State Fund; the chair (S1) seconded. The motion was approved on a voice vote, and the commission moved on to miscellaneous business.
The record does not include individual commissioner names for the vote in the transcript; the motion, second and outcome are recorded in the meeting transcript as a carried motion to change carriers. Next procedural steps discussed included staff follow-up on contract implementation and administrative items tied to the carrier transition.
