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County staff brief commissioners on self‑insured health plan, say program saved roughly $0.55M last year
Summary
County staff and broker presented Camden Countys self-funded medical program and on-site clinic. Staff said the program cost about $6.62M versus an estimated $6.95M fully insured cost in the last fiscal year and cited an annual savings approaching $500–550K after partner contributions.
Camden County staff and the county's benefits broker presented an overview of the countys self‑funded medical program at the April 7 Board of Commissioners meeting, saying the approach has produced substantial savings while allowing the county to manage benefits design and claim data.
Staff explained the county uses a third‑party administrator (Etna) to process claims, a separate pharmacy benefit manager (Vital One) and an on‑site clinic intended for primary care and chronic‑disease management. Broker Ashley Tilman joined the presentation to answer technical questions about plan design and stop‑loss coverage.
Officials described program elements: two traditional co‑pay plans and two high‑deductible plans (about 80% of employees are in the high‑deductible options), pharmacy carve‑outs through Vital One, and a stop‑loss policy that covers claims above the countys per‑claim deductible. Staff said self‑funding lets the county retain unspent reserve dollars and access claims data for cost‑containment strategies.
Staff presented a cost comparison: last fiscal year the county's total program cost was reported as about $6.62 million, compared with a fully insured quote of roughly $6.95 million — a $329,000 difference. The on‑site clinic also receives contributions from partner governments (City of Kingsland, City of St. Mary's and PSA), which staff said increases the effective annual net savings; staff estimated total annual savings closer to $500,000–$550,000 when partner contributions are included.
Commissioners asked about where unspent funds are held and how they are used; staff said reserves are invested until needed and are available to absorb high‑cost claims in years when claims spike. Heather Frell, the countys benefits and wellness specialist, said staff monitor monthly claims reports and intervene on trends such as non‑emergent emergency‑room use.
Staff noted self‑funding carries administrative responsibility but provides flexibility to design benefits and invest reserves for county needs. They said Camden County has been self‑funded since fiscal year 2013.
