Gregg County awards stop‑loss and TPA contracts, updates employee health plans

The Gregg County Commissioners Court on May 5 approved staff recommendations to award third‑party administration services to Blue Cross Blue Shield and stop‑loss insurance to PACE Underwriters for the county’s self‑funded employee plan and authorized the county judge to sign the contracts.

County staff told the court the RFP process (RFP 2026‑06) drew six proposals — three for stop‑loss only and three for third‑party administration — and said the insurance committee had evaluated the bids and recommended the two awards. “These proposals were evaluated extensively and in accordance with that process the insurance committee is recommending awarding the third party administration services to Blue Cross Blue Shield and awarding the stop‑loss insurance to PACE underwriters,” the presenter said, recommending approval.

The court also approved recommended changes to the county’s FY27 employee medical and dental plans. Staff said the details are in the written backup and pointed to a bar chart showing a steady year‑over‑year increase in plan costs. The court voted to authorize the county judge to sign all documents necessary to implement the plan updates.

Separately, the court renewed the county’s contract with Voya Financial for long‑term disability and for basic and voluntary life coverage. Staff said the renewal includes a $12,681 increase for the basic life coverage. Several commissioners expressed concern about the effect of age‑based reductions in coverage; one commissioner called the reduction “age discrimination,” while staff explained reductions are commonly used to limit county premium impacts and to transition employees into Medicare eligibility.

The presenter said they would answer follow‑up questions from the court and recommended moving forward with contract execution. The court approved the awards and the contract renewals by voice vote and authorized the county judge to sign the necessary documents.