Wood County benefits update: brokers report $3.7 million in stop-loss reimbursements and recommend keeping trust reserve policy

County HR officials briefed commissioners on employee health-plan finances and large claims activity during the March 24 session reviewing March 19 agenda items.

HR Manager Janese Diem, joined by Assistant HR Manager Erica Noel and benefits clerks, presented plan details and an updated trust-fund balance. Jake Cox of Savage & Associates said three large stop-loss claims will result in about $3.7 million being reimbursed to the county and noted that a detailed audit by county HR identified an additional $115,000 in stop-loss reimbursements for 2024.

Steve Parsons of Parsons Risk Strategies praised the county’s auditing work and recommended maintaining the self-insurance trust reserve policy, which the presenters said is reviewed annually by the commissioners. Presenters also flagged higher administration fees from Meritain and several formulary-change questions affecting some employees; brokers said they would investigate those formulary issues.

Trust fund context provided in the presentation showed a trust balance of $13,641,233 as of Feb. 28, 2026, and historical year-end balances dating back to 2020. Presenters emphasized that stop-loss insurance allows the county to pay large claims up front and later seek reimbursement.

The commissioners thanked HR and the brokers for the update; no formal vote was recorded on plan design or funding policy during this session.