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Select Board votes to move town health and dental coverage to HealthTrust, adopts two‑plan structure
Summary
On Nov. 10, 2025 the Milford Select Board voted to switch the town’s health and dental coverage to HealthTrust, adopting a two‑plan structure (a traditional 15/40 plan and an HSA option) and committing to specified town contributions to premiums and deductibles. The change responds to NHIT’s closure and is projected to raise total health costs by about $194,000 (7.6%) for 2026.
The Milford Board of Selectmen voted on Nov. 10 to switch the town’s employee health and dental coverage to HealthTrust and to offer two plans: a traditional 15/40 option and an HSA plan. The motion passed by a recorded outcome of 3‑0‑1 (three yes, none opposed, one member absent).
The recommendation came from the town’s benefits presentation, which said NHIT’s closure and SchoolCare’s proposed July renewal schedule left the town facing mid‑year rate resets that would complicate budgeting. The presenter recommended HealthTrust because it could provide comparable coverage under a January–December renewal cycle and offer an HSA option that meets collective‑bargaining language.
"We recommend that the town moves to HealthTrust for health and dental," the presenter told the board, adding the town would offer the 15/40 and HSA plans and take steps to reduce employee out‑of‑pocket risk.
Under the board’s action, the town will: pay 85% of the 15/40 premium; pay 100% of the HSA premium; and fund 50% of the HSA deductible, with maximum town exposure of $2,500 per family plan. The presenter said the town projects total health costs of about $2.7 million for 2026 compared with $2.567 million in 2025 — an increase of roughly $194,000, or about 7.6 percent.
Board members and staff discussed implementation and staff outreach. According to the presentation, department heads were briefed and most departments expressed support; the one consistent staff request was restoration of Delta Dental coverage, which the recommendation sought to address by moving dental into HealthTrust for administrative simplicity.
Selectwoman Filbrick said she favored the change for employees. "I just think this is the best plan for the employees at this point," she said during the discussion. Board members asked about provider networks and whether employees would keep their doctors; staff said the HealthTrust network appears broadly comparable to the prior arrangements but that staff would continue outreach to clarify provider access for individual employees.
The presenter noted the board needed a three‑member majority to finalize the vendor selection by the deadline established by carriers; the board voted that night to accept the recommendation.
Next steps: staff will finalize enrollment materials, confirm network details and coordinate open‑enrollment timing with affected employees. The board’s vote authorizes administration to implement the HealthTrust and Delta Dental enrollment consistent with the plan design approved at the meeting.
