County seems to be for methods to save lots of on medical health insurance | Information

MADISON — Medical health insurance is an enormous expense for employers, together with Madison County.

At its most up-to-date assembly, the county board obtained a report of Blue Cross/Blue Defend medical health insurance actions from Judd Allen, a consultant of Nebraska Affiliation of County Officers.

Madison County, like many different authorities and personal entities, started a cash-in-lieu program a few years in the past. Via it, eligible workers who don’t enroll within the county’s medical health insurance could obtain a month-to-month stipend.

The county had about 30 workers benefit from it final 12 months, however the quantity may in all probability be larger. That might assist the county to save cash, Allen mentioned.

Allen urged that he may meet with workers in October to clarify it one-on-one if that helps. As well as, Blue Cross/Blue Defend would possibly ship a consultant. The county additionally would possibly contemplate growing the quantity it gives to workers based mostly on what different counties supply.

“It could be time to revisit it,” Allen mentioned, “and speak to these workers who’re eligible for it.”

Usually, workers who’re over 65 or have medical health insurance protection elsewhere are eligible for a cash-in-lieu fee.

The county additionally has a $2,500 deductible and a high-end deductible of $6,000 for workers enrolled in its medical health insurance. No workers final 12 months selected the high-end deductible.

Commissioner Christian Ohl mentioned the high-end plan seemingly could be engaging to workers who don’t have a partner or household and usually have low medical health insurance expenditures.

Ohl mentioned what could be stopping workers from signing up is a worry that after they join it, they’ll’t decide again right into a lower-deductible plan in just a few years.

Allen mentioned he wasn’t positive of the foundations on that, telling board members that he would do a little analysis to search out out if workers can decide again right into a lower-deductible plan.

Staff who decide into the higher-deductible can get $1,000 per 12 months positioned into their very own well being financial savings account by the county. These funds could also be rolled over 12 months after 12 months in the event that they aren’t spent.