A SPECIAL MEETING
of the Board of Chippewa County Road Commissioners was duly held in their
offices located at 3949 S. Mackinac Trail, Sault Ste. Marie,
The meeting was called to order
at
PRESENT: Commissioners Carr, Holt and MacDonald,
Manager Heckman and Office Mgr. Decker.
Also present was Mr. Cameron Cronkright, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Representative.
Purpose: Health Insurance
Options
Commissioner MacDonald opened
discussion by stating that the Road Commission cannot afford to keep paying
each year increased amounts seen in the recent past and should look at
different options that would substantially reduce the increases.
Mr. Cronkright
started by giving the Board an overview of our current system and how the
self-funded program is structured.
Approximately 10% of costs are the administrative fees and stop loss
fees and 90% are actual claims paid through usage. He indicated areas to shift costs are
deductibles and co-pays as well as paying a share of premium based upon the
illustrative rates.
Illustrative rates/self-funded vs annual premiums were debated and pros and cons
discussed.
UP Blue option was discussed and
the benefits of the rider. This rider
would only affect current employees not retirees and would give discounts on
premiums if employees use providers in-state. Benefit to this rider is seen by directly
reducing the premium or illustrative rate.
Retirees were discussed and
options available and what other counties are doing with health care. Road Commission liability with Medicare
eligible retirees is 20% after Medicare and 100% of drug costs. Retirees ages 55-65 are the most costly
because the Road Commission pays 100% of the costs.
Mr. Cronkright
reviewed the latest quarterly settlement and explained the bottom line numbers
and how monthly payments are figured.
He also reviewed Benefits At A Glance for our current coverage for BC/BS. Deductibles and co-pays were discussed and
how they can affect the overall program.
Options were given. Vision and
Dental benefits explained and options given for changes to deductibles and
co-pays.
There being no further business
to come before the Board it was MOVED by
Commissioner Holt SECONDED by
Commissioner Carr that the meeting be adjourned at
MOITON CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.
________________________ ________________________
Brian F. Decker Clifford H. Carr
Deputy Clerk Chairman