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Benefits broker warns of rising medical loss ratio as Geary County reviews options
Summary
Broker representatives told the commission that medical loss ratios climbed to about 91% in 2025, driving higher premiums; brokers and county staff discussed drivers such as high‑cost claims and drug pricing and reviewed insured vs. self‑insured tradeoffs.
Representatives from Bukaty Companies presented to the commission on health‑plan renewal drivers, telling the board that higher medical claims in 2025 pushed the county’s loss ratio to roughly 91%, up from about 74% in 2024 and roughly 80% in 2023.
Cortny Bichelmeyer and Emily Ahlvers, benefits consultants with Bukaty, reviewed the high‑cost claims and prescription‑drug cost drivers that contributed to the renewal. Ahlvers emphasized the broker’s role: "Bukaty works for Geary County, not BC‑BS," and said Bukaty is negotiating with the carrier on the county’s behalf. Bukaty staff noted that if the county were self‑insured it would have paid more in aggregate claims in the most recent year compared with being fully insured, and they reviewed plan‑paid versus member‑paid claim shares.
HR Director Crystal Malchose thanked the consultants and commended Bukaty’s responsiveness while noting county leadership will weigh costs, options and employee impacts before decisions on plan design or funding approach.
No binding decision on plan structure or funding changes was made at the meeting; commissioners asked for the analysis and will consider next steps during future budget discussions.
