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Commissioners pick Option 3 for employee health plan after large renewal; vision left pending
Summary
After brokers presented renewal options showing a 33.57% increase to retain the county’s zero out-of-pocket PPO design, the court voted to approve Option 3 for medical coverage for 2026–27 (vision coverage remained under negotiation).
HUB International and broker representatives presented renewal options for Hood County’s employee medical coverage, describing a high-claims year and a renewal scenario in which maintaining the current zero out-of-pocket PPO design would increase premiums by roughly 33.57%.
The broker explained the trade-offs between keeping a zero out-of-pocket design (higher premium) and adding modest employee deductibles or other "skin in the game" structures to limit claim utilization. "As you look here, the renewal plan as is is... a 33.57% increase," the broker said in the presentation.
After budget staff reported that Option 3 could be accommodated in the county’s proposed budget, a commissioner moved to approve Option 3 for medical coverage for the 2026–27 year. The court approved the motion unanimously; vision and dental negotiations were left pending for later action if better combined terms can be secured.
Staff said they would finalize vendor paperwork and reflect the plan selection in the budget documents that will be posted later this week.
