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Commission discusses switching employee health plan to Mako, favors short transition to calendar year
Summary
Fallon County staff and insurance advisors reviewed proposals to terminate current vendors and move to a new broker (Mako). Commissioners and the insurance committee recommended a short six‑month transition (Option 1) that preserves employee continuity, captures a proposed 8% rate reduction for the subsequent year and allows employee education before full open enrollment.
HR/business staff (speaker 13) presented a detailed review of current vendor services (EBMS, SmithRx, JPT), estimated savings and proposals from a new broker, Mako. Staff recommended terminating the three vendors and moving to Mako for health insurance, life insurance and related services, subject to final decisions on plan year and benefit options. Speaker 13 summarized a short transition approach (Option 1) that would run July–December 2026 under a plan substantially similar to the county’s current plan and then move to a calendar year plan in 2027.
The HR representative noted differences in wellness and InBody offerings, life insurance inclusions, and that some services were previously subsidized by a related party (JPT). Staff recommended an open enrollment and an employee education campaign to explain any changes. The insurance consultant (speaker 3) explained the tradeoffs between staying on a fiscal year versus moving to a calendar year: moving to calendar year simplifies employee deductible tracking but may add premium loading; a short transition gives employees six months to adapt while capturing a proposed 8% rate load reduction for the following 12 months.
Commissioners and the insurance committee expressed a preference for Option 1 (short transition). Commissioner comments emphasized minimizing disruption to employees and allowing time for education and enrollment counseling. Commissioners asked staff to prepare final paperwork and to schedule Mako for a follow‑up meeting (in person) next week to finalize implementation details, questions about portability for voluntary policies, and how partner agencies (such as FMC) will be handled if the county changes administration.
