Berrien County to consider adding Gallagher employee benefits advocate at about $1.25 per employee

The Berrien County Committee of the Whole on Feb. 12 heard a presentation from Gallagher Benefits Services, Inc., on the scope of services covered under the County’s health‑insurance contract and an optional, employee‑facing “Benefit Advocate Center.” Michael Hagerty, Gallagher’s Area Senior Vice President, told the board the current contract does not include direct services for employees or retirees and described the advocate center as an add‑on that would handle education, claims support, coordination of benefits and a dedicated phone and email line.

Kristin Reynolds, the County’s human resources director, said the additional service is estimated to cost $1.25 per employee—about $1,000 per month—and noted county HR is fielding roughly 10–12 insurance‑related calls per day. The committee reached consensus to refer the option to the PHS committee for discussion and possible recommendation to the Board of Commissioners at its next regular meeting. No formal vote on the advocate service was taken at the Committee of the Whole meeting.

Hagerty listed the services included in Gallagher’s existing contract with the county, including renewal analysis, annual and periodic financial reports, carrier marketing and negotiations, legislative and regulatory compliance support, employee education programs, market benchmarking studies, and benefit plan design or redesign. On the proposed add‑on, Hagerty said, "The current contract does not include services for the employees or retirees," and described features such as nurse advocates and Medicare experts that would be part of a premier package.

Next steps: the PHS committee is expected to review the cost and service details and could forward a recommendation to the full board for action at a subsequent meeting.