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Insurance broker recommends keeping PPO option; commissioners move to offer four medical plans
Summary
An insurance presenter recommended maintaining a PPO (including a 'nonstop' PPO) and offered a lower-deductible PPO alternative; the court moved to offer four medical plans and to renew ancillary lines (Equitable, MASA) and consider Texas Republic Life voluntary products.
An insurance presenter outlined options for the county's employee coverage and recommended preserving a PPO network option because it offers broader provider access. The presenter explained network mechanics: "Baylor Scott White is not in that area, you can use the UHC's network to use that Tyler Hospital," and said a $2,500 deductible PPO alternative looked competitively priced compared with the higher-deductible plan. The presenter also noted previous "nonstop" issues affected an estimated 20% of employees and suggested education and one-on-one assistance if the county offers the PPO again.
After discussion, a commissioner made a motion "to offer these 4 plans with the county's maximum contribution" (motions and contribution levels were discussed) and the Chair clarified the county contribution would apply to "employee only." The presenter recommended renewals on ancillary voluntary lines with Equitable and said offering short-term and long-term disability could reduce unplanned sick-leave liability; the presenter described an employer-paid short-term option costing roughly $20'$30,000 in premiums and recommended bundling to secure better pricing at no net cost to the county for the extra lines.
