Allen County commissioners hope to decide Thursday whether to continue offering health insurance to its employees through a partially self-insured plan, or return to Blue Cross Blue Shield.
At their meeting Tuesday, commissioners asked for the extra two days to pour over figures provided by consultant Rhonda Fernandez and Dennis Call, owner of Benefit Management Insurance.
For the past three years, the county has provided health coverage to its employees through a partially self-funded program, which allows the county to build up reserves if premiums outstrip claims.
But this year has been a costly one, with a number of large claims, commissioners were told.
Proposals from BMI and Blue Cross Blue Shield revealed that the Blue Cross premiums would be lower by about $75 to $120 a month, depending on the deductible for single employees.
But, switching to BCBS could be more expensive in the outset because the county still would be responsible for old claims through the rest of 2012.
Call encouraged commissioners to look at the long term when deciding on health insurance and maintain the partially self-insured program.
While this year has not been beneficial, future years might if claims drop, Davis said.
Still, Commissioner Gary McIntosh said he favored returning to BCBS.
“I thought that three years ago, and my mind hasn’t changed,” McIntosh said, citing the county’s exposure to losses through self-insurance, and potential cracks in coverage for some employees and cases.
The other two commissioners, Dick Works and Rob Francis, were non-committal.
“It’s a huge decision,” Francis said.
Trustees will meet at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Allen County Courthouse, where they hope to make a decision.
Time is of the essence, County Clerk Sherrie Riebel said, because the open enrollment period for the county to decide begins Thursday as well.
If the county switches back to BCBS, paperwork must be completed by March 31.
COMMISSIONERS looked over a proposal from County Attorney Wade Bowie to install bullet-proof glass and other security measures in his office.
