Title
Discussion and possible action to approve 2027 open enrollment policy plans offered, FSA and HSA employer contribution, Spouse/Dependent employer contribution amounts.
Body
Approve
The committee discussed Health Choice premium increases of approximately 16%-19% and their effect on county office budgets. Members considered eliminating the Health Choice High plan, retaining it with an employee buy-up cost, and encouraging employees to choose the Basic or High-Deductible plan. They also discussed the difference in employee out-of-pocket costs between plans and the need for clear comparisons during enrollment.
Proposed recommendation to the BOCC: The discussion ended with a consensus to keep the three existing non-HMO medical plans, discontinue the HMO option, increase the county-funded Basic-plan FSA from $500 to $750, increase the High Deductible-plan HSA contribution to $2,000, and increase the spouse/dependent supplement to $4,260 annually. The committee discussed an HRA but did not include it in the immediate proposal. These were recommendations for further approval
Follow-up: Commissioner Cleveland will prepare a draft resolution and plan comparison materials, estimate the January-June budget effect for each office, and share enrollment information with employees. The goal is to communicate the approved options by October 1, ahead of open enrollment in the third week of October. Staff will also clarify which voluntary benefits remain eligible for payroll deduction; employees wishing to continue American Fidelity products would arrange direct payment.