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Glendive forms committee to review workers' comp and health insurance as MMIA coverage ends
Summary
Facing MMIA’s announced discontinuation of coverage, the council authorized a subcommittee to evaluate replacement workers' comp and health insurance options and to solicit quotes when new rates are released in April; staff said preliminary estimates show potential savings.
The Glendive City Council on Feb. 3 authorized a subcommittee to review workers' compensation and health insurance options after MMIA told the city it will discontinue coverage at the end of June.
The Director of operations (name not given) told councilors the city had been rated by a national third‑party firm and received a favorable experience rating that should allow Glendive to seek quotes from private workers' compensation providers or consider the state fund. “We scored very well, which should make acquiring new insurance economical,” the director said.
The director said initial comparisons suggested a possible savings of about $15,000 if certain employee classifications are re‑rated, and that the city will be able to solicit quotes when new rates for the coming year are released around the beginning of April. He added the collective bargaining process includes forming a committee with union representatives to examine alternatives.
Councilor Joanne Hines volunteered to serve on the committee, which will also include the mayor (if available), department heads and union representatives. Council members asked for more detail on employee participation in the city plan (about 40–45 employees were cited) and on premium splits and plan choices; the director said next year the plan lineup will expand to four options, including a high‑deductible plan with full employee premium coverage for single employees.
Next steps: the committee will meet as soon as rates are released in April to gather quotes and compare private‑sector options with the state fund; staff will report back to the council with concrete proposals.
