Kossuth supervisors direct staff to exclude retired employees from county HSA contributions

The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors on April 14 directed staff to remove retired employees who remain eligible for group health insurance from eligibility to receive county contributions to health savings accounts (HSAs).

Supervisors reviewed draft policy language and final insurance rates. Board discussion focused on whether the county should contribute to HSAs for former employees who opt to continue group health coverage in retirement. Several supervisors said they believed HSA contributions should be limited to active employees and elected officials.

Kyle Stecker moved — and a board member seconded — a motion to not offer HSA contributions from Kossuth County to individuals who are retired and eligible for county group health insurance. The board approved the direction by voice vote; staff will write the policy wording and bring a formal policy for adoption at a future meeting.

In a separate action earlier in the meeting, supervisors selected Farmers Trust and Savings Bank as the county’s HSA vendor for employees and elected officials. The motion to select Farmers Trust passed by voice vote.

The county will circulate draft policy language that narrows HSA contributions to active employees and elected officials; supervisors asked staff to confirm legal and plan-vendor implications before formal adoption.

"We will be redefining that in that policy," a staff member said when summarizing the board direction.

Next steps: staff will update the HSA policy to exclude retired individuals eligible for county group coverage, confirm legal review regarding eligibility and vendor implementation, and return with the formal policy for board action.