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Brush district shifts to self-funded benefits with local DPC option, broker says plan will cut per-employee costs
Summary
District finance staff described a self-funded employee benefits package brokered by 550 Advisory and administered by Coastal Administrative Services, including Integrative Direct Primary Care (Fort Morgan) with no copays for primary care and prescription savings programs; staff estimated per-employee monthly savings and recommended board approval, which the board granted.
District finance staff outlined changes to the employee fringe benefits package proposed for 2026–27, emphasizing improved access to primary care and prescription savings alongside cost-management measures.
Staff described a brokered arrangement with 550 Advisory and a pending administrative-services agreement with Coastal Administrative Services to operate the district’s self-funded health benefit plan. A local Integrative Direct Primary Care (DPC) provider in Fort Morgan would offer zero-cost, same- or next-day primary care appointments, free generic medications and pediatric care as part of the package. Staff said early employee trials had reported positive results.
Plan structure includes two in-network tiers: an HN network tier described as having no deductible and no out-of-pocket maximum for certain covered services, and a First Health tier with a $3,000 deductible and $6,000 out-of-pocket maximum. The district also proposed a prescription sourcing program to reduce pharmaceutical costs, telemedicine access, dental and vision coverage, an employee assistance program offering counseling and legal/financial consultations, and voluntary life insurance options.
Finance staff reported estimated savings achieved from broker negotiations and vendor pricing (an illustrative per-employee monthly reduction described in the meeting and captured in the board materials); they recommended board approval and legal review for final agreements. Board members asked clarifying questions about provider network enrollment and contractual authority to execute agreements once legal review is complete; staff said they were pursuing provider enrollment and that the superintendent would be authorized to execute agreements after counsel’s approval.
What’s next: The board approved the benefits package and authorized the superintendent to execute administrative agreements pending legal review. Staff will finalize provider enrollments and begin plan administration for the July 1 plan year.
