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County debates health-plan renewals as pharmacy costs, GLP-1s and PBM shifts complicate 2026 decision
Summary
USI presented medical, pharmacy, stop-loss and dental marketing results showing a per-employee claims uptick (~12.3% YTD) and a changing PBM landscape. Commissioners asked for more vendor comparisons and regional partnership analyses; staff will circulate materials March 18 and meet March 24 to continue the administrator decision.
Cumberland County officials spent a sustained portion of their March 12 meeting weighing options for the 2026—27 employee benefits renewal after USI, the countys benefits broker, summarized carrier proposals and usage trends.
"Through claims through end of January, currently the plans are running about 12.3% above what we did last year on a per-employee basis," Ed Borman of USI told the board. He said pharmacy costs and some high-cost claims drove much of the pressure, though rebates have offset some net costs.
Borman flagged a major market shift: Blue Cross has recently changed pharmacy benefit managers and…
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