County hears six-month review of employee health plan; renewal may hinge on rolling averages and SB20 impacts

County commissioners received a six-month review of the county employee health plan from benefits consultants who said the plan’s metrics are favorable but flagged issues that could affect the September renewal.

Courtney Bickelmeyer and colleagues reported the plan is running at a 69% loss ratio year‑to‑date, below the carrier targets discussed. “So you guys are currently year to date running at 69%, which is still really well,” the presenter said, noting that Blue Cross of Kansas will evaluate renewals on a three‑year rolling average (2024–2026) and that market solicitations will begin in August to benchmark pricing.

The presentation highlighted top claimants and that most spending falls in the $1,000–$50,000 bands, with only a single claimant above $100,000 year‑to‑date. Consultants also reviewed pharmacy utilization and noted 88% of prescriptions were generic fills — a favorable mix for rebate capture.

Commissioners asked about a July 1 legislative change (SB20) that imposes a $10.50 dispensing fee on prescriptions filled in Kansas. The presenters said operational details are still being sorted. “It is a dispensing fee of $10.50 onto prescriptions,” a presenter said, adding carriers and pharmacies are still determining how the fee and rebates will flow through plan accounting and that concrete effects might not be visible until 2026.

Next steps: consultants plan to take the county to market in August, return with renewal estimates in September, and continue monitoring pharmacy trends and SB20 operational guidance from carriers.