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After Medicare Advantage change, commissioners weigh cash‑in‑lieu and HRA options for county employees
Summary
County benefits staff informed commissioners the county's Medicare Advantage plan will end Dec. 31; the board discussed offering cash‑in‑lieu or a county‑funded health reimbursement arrangement and asked for written comparisons and vendor options ahead of a December decision.
County benefits staff told Treasure County commissioners that an existing Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plan administered through a cooperative is being discontinued effective Jan. 1, leaving employees and retirees to select alternate coverage or participate in county alternatives.
The benefits advisor outlined two main options: a cash‑in‑lieu payment (a flat or fractional county contribution to employees who can demonstrate outside group or government insurance) or a health‑reimbursement arrangement (HRA) administered by a third party. She noted legal constraints: the county typically may fund only one benefits provider and must apply consistent eligibility rules across employees.
The board discussed budget and administration questions, including whether to fund the full contribution or a percentage and whether the permissive mill could be used for certain arrangements. The benefits advisor offered to email comparative charts and vendor contacts and advised the board to decide by Dec. 31 to protect retirees from medical underwriting issues when leaving a county plan.
Commissioners asked for sample resolutions and implementation steps. No final policy decision was made at the meeting; staff will return with written comparisons and vendor details.
