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Supervisors adopt new Woodbury County health plan for 2026 after debate over short-term funding
Summary
The board adopted a revised county health-insurance plan effective Jan. 1, 2026, with four coverage tiers and changes to deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. A separate proposal to add a one-time December contribution of roughly $100,000 to shore up the fund was tabled until the board could meet with a full membership.
Woodbury County supervisors voted to adopt a new county health-insurance plan to take effect Jan. 1, 2026, after HR Director Melissa Thomas and a Gallagher consultant reviewed plan tiers, premiums and cost-sharing changes.
Thomas said the plan adds four contribution tiers (single; single+spouse; single+children; family), aligns HMO and PPO deductibles, and changes co-pays so they count toward the out-of-pocket maximum. She noted the out-of-pocket maximum on the new plan would be $3,000, after which covered members would not owe further eligible costs. Some employee premium rates will rise (notably PPO family), while others will decrease; Thomas described the package as a middle-ground compromise the county arrived at after enrollment conversations with department heads.
Board Administration Director Ryan Erickson had proposed a separate, one-time county contribution of roughly 20% for December (about $100,000) to address a monthly shortfall in the health-care fund. Supervisors expressed concern about acting with only three members present and about payroll-implementation timing; the motion to table further action until the next meeting carried 3-0. The board then approved the new 2026 plan by voice vote (3-0).
