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Committee reviews retiree insurance eligibility and delinquency policy
Summary
Staff outlined Columbia County retiree health insurance eligibility and recommended formalizing delinquency procedures: premiums due monthly, notices on the 10th, and termination after two months unpaid with options for one-time repayment agreements for hardship cases.
Staff member (S2) presented an overview of Columbia County’s retiree health insurance eligibility and the proposed formal policy for nonpayment. The committee heard that county retiree coverage continues from eligible retirement through Medicare eligibility and that the county needs a formal policy to manage delinquencies and protect retirees and the county.
S2 explained premium timing and notices: premiums are due on the first of each month, the office sends a courtesy letter on the 10th if premiums are overdue, and if premiums remain unpaid for a second month the county sends a termination notice effective the first of the following month. As an example, S5 described the administrative timeline: “So if it's not paid on April 1, I send a letter on April 10... If you don't pay for your April, May premiums... We send another letter on May 10 saying we're terminating you June 1.”
The committee discussed payment methods (cash, money order, check, ACH encouraged but not required) and administrative controls for repeated payment failures (e.g., requiring cash or money order after multiple bounced EFTs). Staff said one-time repayment agreements can be used for short-term hardship and that the county attorney recommended formal policy language given health-coverage and medical-condition implications.
Staff will supply the committee with the formal policy language and procedures for signature/notice delivery prior to presenting related items to the Board of Supervisors.
