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Grand County faces double‑digit health‑plan increases; commissioners weigh plan changes and $250,000 reserve draw
Summary
Broker Hub International told commissioners Grand County’s medical plan costs have risen sharply — two high‑cost claimants account for about $1.07 million — and recommended plan design changes plus a $250,000 draw from reserves to reduce a projected 24% funding increase to roughly 12.1% for 2026.
Grand County officials heard that employee health costs have jumped and several mitigation options are under consideration. Kelsey Heller of Hub International, the county’s broker, told the Board of County Commissioners that the county is currently paying "$2,084 per employee per month, so far in 2025." She said claims are up roughly 19% compared with 2024 and that two unusually large claimants together have incurred just over $1,000,000 in costs.
Hub presented an underwriting projection that, without changes, calls for about a 24% increase in internal funding for medical coverage next year — roughly $1,000,000 annually — driven by utilization and the two high‑cost claimants. The insurance committee recommended a package of actions to reduce the increase to about 12.1%: remove the county’s under‑used EPO option, raise deductibles modestly on the PPO and high‑deductible plans, increase the county HSA contribution slightly for HDHP participants, modestly share the renewal with employees, and use $250,000 from the plan’s existing reserve fund.
Finance Director Alina Bell and commissioners pressed for details about stop‑loss pricing and the reserve balance. Heller said stop‑loss estimates would arrive in the coming weeks and that the committee used conservative estimates for budgeting. Commissioners and the finance director noted the county is drawing on reserves to blunt this year’s spike and asked staff to return with updated stop‑loss quotes and reserve projections before finalizing a decision. Heller said the stop‑loss individual attachment is currently set at $160,000 and that Hub was modeling a possible 30% increase for individual stop loss in the marketplace.
Local insurance adviser Rich Chaminos offered to help county staff and the insurance subcommittee analyze provider claims and negotiate rates, suggesting the county request a quarterly list of top paid providers from its TPA to guide negotiations. "EBMS will be able to provide that for sure," Heller said; commissioners asked staff to follow up. No final vote was taken; the board expects to consider a final renewal and plan‑design decisions at a next meeting.
