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County commissioners vote to keep current group health plan for one year after reviewing alternatives
Summary
After reviewing proposals from Mako and the incumbent JPT, commissioners voted on April 22 to remain with JPT for the coming year, citing network familiarity and concerns about a mandatory three-year lock with Mako. Both carriers were asked to return for annual comparisons.
At an April 22 extra meeting, county commissioners voted to keep the county’s group health insurance with the incumbent JPT for the coming year after reviewing a competing proposal from Mako and discussing trade-offs between cost and benefits.
Commissioner 2 summed up the commission’s stated priorities: "make sure that we've got a great health insurance plan for our employees bottom line." Commissioners said saving taxpayer dollars matters, but not at the expense of employee coverage.
The discussion centered on differences in pharmacy and deductible design. Commissioner 2 explained Mako’s structure can delay reaching a deductible ("it takes you 21 office visits to get to your deductible") and may save money for members with a small number of routine visits; by contrast, heavy users could face different out-of-pocket paths under JPT. Commissioners also noted that JPT’s regional network and certain vision and dental coverages are attractive to employees who seek care locally.
Concerns about long contracts shaped the final decision. Commissioner 3 warned that choosing Mako would "lock us into this new company for 3 years. So we're gonna have no control over our stuff in the next 3 if we go with this one," and several commissioners described that mandatory three-year terms as a risk if early-year pricing proved artificially low.
Commissioner 6 moved to stay with JPT for the year; Commissioner 2 seconded the motion with the explicit agreement that both Mako and JPT return next year to present apples-to-apples comparisons. The Chair called the vote; the motion carried and the commission confirmed it will remain on JPT for the coming year.
Commissioners asked staff to continue annual solicitations and presentations from carriers so the county can compare pricing and plan design going forward. The meeting record indicates commissioners discussed an estimated permissive mill levy (mentioned in discussion as about $450,000 a year) that helps cover premiums but does not fully offset plan costs.
