Commissioners approve county on-site biometric screenings after heated debate over cost and scope

Bonner County commissioners voted to approve a statement of work with WellWorks for an on-site biometric screening event intended to support employee wellness and insurance incentives.

Human Resources director Kevin Rothberg told the board the vendor requires a minimum of 25 participants and the county expects roughly 45 based on prior events; the last on-site biometric event cost the county about $3,110.80, or approximately $69.13 per participating employee. Rothberg said the on-site service can lower the county’s claim costs because the county is self‑insured: “We are the insurance,” he said, adding that claims tied to lab testing are shifted to the county when employees use outside providers.

The vote followed substantial questioning from commissioners about whether the biometric screening duplicates tests available through primary‑care visits and whether the county is getting sufficient value for the roughly $3,000 cost per event. One commissioner summarized concerns, saying the clinic provides only basic tests—“glucose test and a lipid test” and simple vitals—and worried that employees could misinterpret a limited screening as comprehensive; the commissioner added, “I don't think I can support this” because participation represented a small portion of the county workforce.

Supporters of the contract said the program meets the minimum requirements for employees to receive the $300 wellness incentive from the insurer and that the flat biometric fee is typically lower than the variable lab costs the county would incur when employees use external labs. Rothberg noted examples where employees who otherwise would not seek care were screened through on-site events and later connected to primary care for follow-up.

After discussion about lab differences, participation rates (the county has roughly 176 employees enrolled in the wellness program and employs over 400 people total), and whether the county was obligated to cover additional lab costs in some cases, a commissioner moved to approve the statement of work and authorize the chair to sign it administratively. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call; the record shows at least one commissioner voted against the motion.

The board directed staff to proceed with scheduling and to provide details to employees about what the on-site screening includes and how it differs from a full primary‑care visit. Next procedural steps are administrative: executing the agreement with WellWorks and notifying employees of the event schedule and the tests performed.