MARIES COUNTY— It will be the decision of the Maries County Commission and other budget officers to decide if and how much the county will cover of the 6.9% increase in employee health insurance premiums for 2020.

At last Thursday’s commission meeting, the Wallstreet Group’s Group Benefits Broker, Brad Roark, was present to talk about health insurance for next year. Roark said the increase is with the same plan as previous years and includes a buy-up option for employees who choose to take advantage of it.

For 2020, the Anthem Blue Cross base rate increases from the current rate of $585.88 per month per employee to $625.86 per month per employee. The buy-up increases from $684.37 to $732.42 per month per employee. Roark said although it is a 6.9% increase, he is happy to see the increase in single digits.

Currently the county pays 80% of the total premium for 27 county employees who choose to use the insurance. It has a $7,500 individual deductible, a family deductible of $15,000, and 80% coinsurance.

The total annual cost of the base plan for each employee is $7,510.32, and the total annual cost for the 27 people on the health insurance policy is $202,778.64.

Presiding Commissioner Victor Stratman said the health insurance has increased about $20 per pay period. The health insurance payments are withheld from employee checks on 24 of the 26 annual pay periods.

Roark said if Maries County absorbs the cost of the premium increase, it will be an additional $1,100 per month or $12,900 for the year for all employees. He said they have looked out into the marketplace for other options.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Anthem came together to provide a health insurance product for small groups of two to 50 employees. Anthem did a test market in Ohio. Employees can’t come together just for health insurance, but they can join the chamber of commerce to come together in a self insurance product for the small groups. “We looked at it and its more than where we are now.” Roark said, adding he’s not moved any groups into the chamber product. It’s not a viable option this year.

Rates can be lowered with higher deductibles and eliminating co-pays, Roark said as costs can be brought down if they move to one of those plans. However, they held a meeting last year with employees about doing this and the employees didn’t want to change to a higher deductible, or eliminate copays. There are the ACA market plans but they are age and sex rated and currently all of the county’s employees are at the same rate, regardless of age and sex. Maries County has a low employee turnover and the ages of employees continues to go up each year. “The market is tight and we are looking at alternatives,” Roark said. “Something has to give,” but he doesn’t know what that is.

“The only thing that gives is the pocket book,” said Eastern District Commissioner Doug Drewel.

Stratman asked if the county can “eat it,” the $12,900 difference in premium from last year to this year. Currently the county picks up 80% of the cost and the employee pays 20%. Stratman said they talked about giving employees a pay raise and this may be it if they were going to give it.

Western District Commissioner Ed Fagre said they used to pay 50% of the health insurance premium. Stratman said if they continue to pay just 80% the county will be paying the bulk of the increase but employees will have more taken from their paychecks to pay for the increase as well at a rate of 20%. Fagre wondered if the county picks up the increase if they will still have money to give raises. Drewel said with a pay raise, all county employees get it, which is not the case with health insurance. Roark said they will need to decide in December or sooner. Fagre said they have to have insurance. “Let’s say we’ll take it and figure out the rest,” he said. Roark said most employers don’t pay 100% of health insurance premiums. Fagre said they can figure this out closer to the budget making time.

May be Cheaper

County Clerk Rhonda Rodgers reported Wallstreet Group’s Commercial Sales Agent, Jennifer Gerling, called saying the workers compensation insurance through Missouri Employers Mutual (MEM) was reduced by $3,775. The total to be paid is $51,728. Stratman suggested seeking another bid to see what MAC can do with it.

“Let them bid. It may be cheaper,” Fagre said.

Tear it Out and Look

Local construction company owner, Kenneth Stratman, spoke with the commissioners about the concrete floor in the sheriff’s office hallway that continues to pop up. Stratman said its hollow and something, either water or pressure, is pushing it up. They talked about how the pipes were placed over the years and where they drained to. There were more questions than answers. Stratman said it will need to be torn out and drill down to see what and where the problem is and then deal with it. They might use a sump pump or a drain to the outside. Commissioner Stratman said it could be storm water. Fagre said the whole building is sitting on a rock.

The commissioners asked for an idea of what it will cost. Stratman said he will give them a price on tearing out the old stuff but he won’t know a price on the additional work until he sees what the problem is. Commissioner Stratman asked him to tear out a few pieces and investigate it. Then they can bid out the job. Stratman said he can get to it in December.