County staff recommend Tokio Marine for medical stop‑loss renewal; premium and budget impacts noted

Montgomery County’s director of risk management presented Oct. 21 the results of a stop‑loss insurance market review and recommended placing the county’s medical stop‑loss coverage with Tokio Marine HCC Life Insurance Company, county staff said.

Melissa Peak told commissioners that the county solicited quotes and that Tokio Marine’s proposal included contract provisions the county favored, including a premium rate cap at renewal and no new‑laser guarantee in some options. Staff presented detailed premium scenarios, annualized projections tied to the county’s current enrollment counts, and an assessment of “laser” deductibles on particular claimants. Peak’s memo flagged that the premium increase was not budgeted and that a budget change request of approximately $196,000 for the Employees Health Trust Fund would be submitted at a future meeting.

The commission approved the stop‑loss renewal motion (moved by Vice Chairman Carmen Moore‑Zeigler, seconded by Commissioner Sankey). The minutes record Chairman Doug Singleton as abstaining from the vote; the motion carried. The action authorizes staff to place the coverage as recommended but does not itself enact the future budget amendment discussed in staff materials.

Staff materials attached to the agenda compare multiple carrier quotes, cover options, deductibles, aggregating specific deductibles, and examples of projected annualized premium based on 726 single plans and 448 family plans. The recommended option includes a 50% premium‑rate cap at renewal and other underwriting features described in the vendor proposal.

County officials said the final contract and any required budget adjustments will be brought back to the commission for formal approval as needed.