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Deuel County delays health-insurance renewal after Blue Cross proposal would raise costs nearly 40%
Summary
A renewal quote from Blue Cross Blue Shield would raise county health-insurance costs by 39.56% effective July 1, 2026; an alternative Medica quote was 26.09% higher than current. Commissioners tabled the decision pending a proposal from the Nebraska Association of County Officials.
Deuel County commissioners on May 19 heard renewal proposals for the county’s 2026–2027 health-insurance plan and postponed a decision after receiving quotes that would substantially increase costs.
Chad Svoboda of Svoboda Benefit Solutions presented two renewal scenarios. He said a Blue Cross Blue Shield renewal would increase costs by 39.56 percent at the July 1, 2026 renewal. He also presented a Medica proposal that was 26.09 percent higher than the county’s current cost. Following a brief discussion of the figures and options, the board voted to table the renewal until the Nebraska Association of County Officials provides a proposal for comparison.
County officials did not adopt a plan or set a final budgetary adjustment at the meeting. Commissioners indicated they wanted the additional proposal from the association before making a decision that would affect county payroll and future budget planning. The insurance renewal remains unresolved; any final action will be recorded in a future meeting once the alternative proposal is received and reviewed.
Next steps: staff will obtain the Nebraska Association of County Officials proposal and place the item on a subsequent agenda for formal action prior to the July 1 renewal date.
