Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Health Insurance Taskforce met May 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the Taskforce:

Call to Order (4:00 PM)

Members Present: Hunter, Larkin, Rendleman and S. Bost

Also Present: Robert Burns, Susie Kilquist, Tracy Hagston, Josh Barringer, Dave Schermer, Melissa Britt, Michelle Tweedy

Approval of Minutes

Communication

I. 17-2471 AFSCME Letter

The task force read the letter and appreciated what AFSCME representative Frank Bryd stated in the letter.

County Health Insurance

II. 17-2472 Discussion of Plan

III. 17-2473 Review of Updated Plan change suggestions

Schermer began by presenting the task force with suggestions of changes to the county health insurance plan (attached to the minutes). The first suggestion includes changing the deductible to $1250, the maximum out of pocket to $1500, and matching the plan to ACA requirements. He estimates that this will save the county around $250,000 a year and he encouraged the board to look hard at this first option. He went on to explain the benefits of changing copay amounts for scans such as MRI's and X-rays. Hunter stated that matching the plan to ACA would actually lower the current coverage because the county's plan is better than the ACA requirements. Larkin reminded the task force that if the coverage is not lowered then the only way to make up the short fall is to raise premiums. Schermer gave the task force a second handout (attached to minutes) that shows recommendations for changing the county prescription plan, getting a new medical management team, and exploring the UMED program with IPMG. The task force discussed these options. Burns asked what the net effect of raising the deductible and maximum out of pocket amount would be. Schermer replied that the total maximum amount could range from about $2200 to $2700 depending on what the county decides to do. Then Rendleman asked whether the deductible could be raised without raising the maximum out of pocket that and Schermer stated that it wasn't really possible but that the ACA maximum out of pocket is higher than what the county plan has. Rendleman pointed out that there could be about $100,000 in prescription savings without changing any ones quality of life. Britt pointed out that some of the side effects may be better or worse depending on what prescription or type of prescription a person gets and this is something that should be considered. Schermer stated that this may always be the case but some of the medicines the county offers may not even have benefits. Britt went on to inquire about an online resource or mobile app or Blue book through Healthlink. Schermer pointed out that he did not think that it would be that helpful because the county has a "Cadillac" plan and employees probably would not use the service and he does not think these programs work. Britt asked about telemedicine and Schermer stated that services like that generally only give out prescriptions and there is no evidence that it helps with insurance costs. Hunter regrouped and asked the task force if there is a consensus on anything. The task force consensus is to suggest adoption of all recommendations in section 2 of the Windsor handout. The task force discussed how this may affect the need to negotiate with the unions. Rendleman pointed out that none of the changes would take affect until the next fiscal year and that the task force is just making proposals right now. The task force went on with discussions and their consensus is to go with the recommendations in section 3 of the Windsor handout and replace AIMM. Schermer reminded the task force to look into when the AIMM contract ends and what the notification requirements are. The task force discussed section 4 the UMED program with IPMG; Schermer suggested bringing them in to make a presentation to the task force, the task force will continue to discuss this issue. Larkin asked Schermer to explain what it would mean to match the county plan with ACA. The task force discussed this issue, Hunter indicated she is not sure about this idea at this time. Larkin went on to explain that with the adoption of sections 2 & 3 and matching ACA the county would only have to raise premiums by $71 per person per pay period. The task force discussed when they will need to set premiums, what the premium increase percentage was last year, and what the percentage may be this year. The task force will continue to discuss this topic at the June 7th meeting.

Old Business

IV. 17-2474 Review of COBRA Rates

New Business

Adjourn (5:16 PM)

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