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Health Partners to remain Douglas County dental carrier for 2026; committee flags orthodontics as optional with funding concerns
Summary
Minutes show Health Partners will remain the county dental carrier for 2026; staff reported a projected 3.74% renewal increase and a planned 5% participant premium increase. Committee discussed adding optional orthodontics but raised concerns that self-funding high claims could raise future premiums.
Douglas County's Employee Benefits Committee reviewed the Health Partners dental renewal and recorded that the carrier and plan design will remain the same for 2026. Staff reported a projected 3.74% increase on the renewal and noted a planned 5% premium increase for participants, with the committee linking the premium adjustment to the broader reserve rebuilding effort.
The committee discussed adding an optional dental plan with orthodontics coverage as a future option. Members raised a self-funding concern: orthodontics can generate high claims that, if paid from plan reserves, could increase premiums in subsequent years. Committee members asked staff to consider funding structures and potential member opt-in arrangements before advancing the option.
