County staff recommends short‑term insurance renewal, 3% increase for Aug–Dec coverage

County staff recommended that Scott County move forward with a short‑term health insurance renewal from Aug. 1 to Dec. 31 to align plan years with IRS limits and simplify administration.

The county’s employee‑insurance committee recommended a 3% rate increase for that short renewal period, staff told the board. "The employee insurance committee has recommended a 3% increase from current rates for that short renewal period," staff said. Using the base plan, staff estimated the county’s share would increase by about $175,000 for the four‑month term, and employees’ share would rise about $45,000. Staff gave sample figures: single coverage would rise roughly $3.47 per pay period and family coverage by a little under $25 for the short period.

Staff said the short renewal would bring Scott County into conformity with the general market and would help if the county later added an HSA as a plan option. Commissioners and staff discussed related administrative adjustments — aligning flexible spending accounts for the shorter plan year, potential stop‑loss changes and the need to update open‑enrollment materials. Staff said these changes are manageable but require some additional work by payroll and benefits staff.

No formal vote was taken at the workshop. Staff asked for direction to bring the renewal and associated materials forward to the next board meeting for formal action. The county will present the draft plan terms and an updated cost estimate at that meeting so commissioners can vote on final adoption or ask for changes.