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Commission renews Blue Cross plan despite 14% increase; staff to hold two-day open enrollment
Summary
After reviewing three funding options, commissioners voted to keep the county's Freedom insurance option the same as last year and separately approved renewing Blue Cross coverage despite a 14% price increase; staff will hold two open-enrollment days for employees.
Commissioners reviewed multiple insurance funding scenarios for county employees and discussed three staffing-cost options: a no-change option that keeps reserves at 2025 levels, a mid-tier option with about a 5% increase and a higher option with approximately a 9% increase. The recorder reported the "top option" would keep funding at the same level as last year while other options vary the funding mix.
After discussion, the board voted to keep the county's Freedom insurance option the same as the prior year and then separately moved to renew with Blue Cross despite a quoted 14% increase; the motion carried by voice vote. Staff said the Blue Cross coverage would likely be effective June 1 and proposed two days of on-site open-enrollment sessions for employees to review supplemental coverages and to streamline sign-up. One staff member noted she had contacted other counties about best practices and recommended holding enrollment sessions in a centralized location to simplify the process.
Why this matters: Health-insurance renewals determine employee premium contributions and county benefit costs for the upcoming plan year; a 14% renewal increase could materially affect budget planning and employee costs. The board directed staff to implement the open-enrollment plan and finalize the renewals.
