County will absorb increase in employee insurance

Despite an 18% increase in the cost of employee health insurance for next year, county employees will pay the same amount for their insurance.

County commissioners voted Friday to keep employee contributions the same with the county absorbing $205,457.88 in added expense. Employees have three options on health insurance.

For a $500/$1,000 deductible plan, employees pay $66.98 for single coverage or $690 for family coverage.

Had the 18% increase been passed to employees, they would have paid $75.94 on a single plan or $832.63 on a family plan.

For a $1,000/$2,000 deductible plan, employees pay $45.61 for single coverage or $641.89 for family coverage. Had the 18% increase been passed to employees, they would have paid $55.55 for a single plan or $745.87 for a family plan.

For a $1,500/$3,000 deductible plan, employees pay $29.05 for single coverage or $604.33 for family coverage. Had the 18% increase been passed to employees, they would have paid $32.72 for a single plan or $716.29 for a family plan.

Commissioners also voted to switch the county insurance plan to a self-funded plan, but it will make no difference in cost.