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Board approves MetLife dental renewal with voluntary worksite benefits; county cost listed as $438,667.68
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Summary
After a staff presentation and consultant review, the board approved a MetLife dental renewal using an alternate option that pairs a 9.5% renewal with voluntary worksite benefits; staff said the option reduces the county’s premium increase relative to the full 12% renewal scenario. The board approved the plan by motion.
County human‑resources staff and benefits consultants reviewed options for the county dental plan during the meeting. Consultants presented two primary routes: reduce out‑of‑network reimbursement to match PPO levels (producing about a 13% premium reduction in materials) or accept an alternate renewal (9.5%) combined with voluntary MetLife worksite products that employees can opt into.
A benefits consultant explained the tradeoffs: reducing out‑of‑network reimbursement to PPO levels would reduce the premium by roughly 13% but would affect members who use out‑of‑network specialists; the consultant said the county’s high utilization of non‑PPO dentists was a key driver of claims. Human Resources Director Jasmine Elmore recommended offering the worksite benefits and allowing MetLife to market voluntary products so employees could choose additional coverages while realizing a smaller premium reduction for the county.
On a motion called by the board, the county approved the MetLife alternate option and accepted the dental program packet, which lists a total plan cost of $438,667.68. The motion passed by voice vote/roll call as recorded in the clerk’s minutes.
Board members asked staff to ensure employees are notified in advance of any changes that could affect provider choice and to coordinate communications through open enrollment.
