By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

County commissioners, faced with sizable increases in the cost of Blue Cross Blue Shield employee health coverage for the coming year, decided Monday to get information on other insurance companies’ rates before deciding what plan to provide.

When commissioners learned two weeks ago that rates would increase $153 a month for a single plan at the same benefit level the county offers, they decided to survey employees on their wishes regarding health insurance. A higher deductible would result in a lower premium, and the same deductible would result in the higher premium.

Commissioner Dianne Novak said commissioners should table making any decision until getting comparisons from other companies.

She said she had spoken to two insurance brokers who could provide information about Aetna and UnitedHealthcare.

Commissioner Kent Becker said he’s open to looking at other insurance bids.

“I’m just reluctant to saddle employees with a high deductible,” Becker said.

He added that he didn’t want to be locked into a plan with provisions such as only going to Wesley Hospital.

County clerk Tina Spencer told commissioners that if they are going to get other insurance quotes they should go ahead and get their estimates.

Commissioners voted to get quotes from both United and Aetna, arranging them in the near future.

Commissioners will hold a special meeting at 8 a.m. March 17 to discuss road matters with Diamond Vista wind farm.

County counsel Brad Jantz said a representative for the wind farm is requesting the meeting to be in executive session as “contract negotiations,’ but whether it will be held in a secret meeting was not decided.