High Claim Rates Force Change in Franklin County Employee Health Coverage

Franklin County employees will have a wider choice in insurance coverage in the next fiscal year.

At their regular board meeting Monday night, County Manager Beth Thomas reviewed the new policy plans with the county commission.

Thomas said one reason the County was looking at changing its healthcare plan was due to the high number of employee health claims last year, which has caused the county’s costs to rise.

“We currently are on a self-funded plan,” Thomas explained. “We’re having some high trends in claims data and we’re running above our expected actuarial amount. Ideally we would be at 80% and we are well above that.”

Thomas said the County requested quotes from other insurance companies and only United Healthcare came in with comparable services and prices.

Brett Fowler is an insurance broker with Turner, Woods & Smith.

Fowler said United Healthcare is offering two plans that would work for the county.

“One resembles the one you have now so if an employee likes that plan they can keep it,” Fowler told the Board. “The other has a copay.”

The second plan offered by United Healthcare would offer employees a plan with a $35 copay for office visits.  Fowler said it also offers a wellness program that he said provides incentives for the employee.

“We will be able to have a health fair and have a biometric screening,” Fowler said. “By completing that and some other incentive programs, the employee can earn up to $200 in gift cards. So that should, in turn, result in a healthier workforce, which should result in reduced claims in the future.”

Franklin County has struggled over the past couple of years to provide good health coverage for it workers.

Before taking a vote, county commissioner Jeff Jacques asked for assurances that this latest plan offering will not cause further issues for the employees or the county.

“I’m hoping we can enter into a long-term relationship and not have to continuously change,” he said. “I’m hoping we’re not just getting what I would call a promotional rate and then later have major increases.”

After hearing from Fowler, Thomas recommended the County go with United Healthcare and offer employees the two plans.   The vote to approve that recommendation was unanimous.