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Gulfport council adopts $40 prescription deductible and approves optional Rx management program
Summary
Council amended the proposed $50 prescription deductible to $40 and approved an optional managed prescription distribution program (a $3 per‑employee monthly plan cost paid by the city) intended to reduce the plan's overall prescription expenses; the council recorded unanimous approval of both measures.
The Gulfport City Council voted Oct. 8 to add a calendar-year prescription deductible for city health-plan prescriptions and to authorize an optional prescription‑management program intended to reduce high-cost drug spending.
Administration recommended a deductible to avoid raising employee premium payroll deductions after last year’s shortfall. After discussion the council amended the recommended $50 amount downward to a $40 calendar-year deductible per covered prescription; advocates of the change said $40 struck a balance that would share cost-control with users while avoiding an across-the-board rate increase. The council approved the $40 deductible by voice vote.
Council also approved offering an optional Rx management program — described to members as a managed-distribution option (ProAct / Counter Rx in the presentation) that allows the plan to seek direct distribution or alternate sourcing for certain expensive medications — and added language to the resolution that the city will receive refunds if year‑end savings do not meet the program costs. The program carries a $3 per employee per month cost to the city plan; administration said the $3 is an expense to the plan, not a payroll deduction for employees.
Speakers emphasized the program is optional for employees and that participation would be driven by whether it lowers an individual member’s copay or out-of-pocket cost. Administration said actuarial projections provided by the plan consultant estimate substantial plan savings if a sufficient share of high-cost prescriptions participates; staff added the resolution includes a mechanism for refund if savings fall short.
Councilors asked that staff confirm whether employee copays would change under the managed-distribution option; administration agreed to confirm and provide written clarification to the council.
