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and emergency room visits and prescriptions. Mr. Branham believed that the proposed changes <br />would allow the County to keep its health care costs under the medical trend of 11-12%. <br />Commissioner O'Bryan sought and received clarification from Mr. Branham on <br />the increased frequency of employee inpatient stays. <br />Commissioner O'Bryan wanted to see the co -pays for generic drugs remain at <br />$10.00, while following staff's proposal to increase the co -pays for brand name drugs from <br />$15.00 to $35.00. He remarked that the $25.00 gap between the two types of prescriptions <br />might incentivize the employees to utilize the generic medications. <br />Director Sexton informed the Board that when staff returns in April with a final <br />proposal for the employee health center, as discussed at the March 3, 2009 Commission meeting, <br />more information would be provided regarding cost -savings on medications. He anticipated that <br />some prescription drugs would be given to the employees at no co -pay through the health center, <br />since the medications would be purchased through a wholesaler. <br />Administrator Baird pointed out that even though the numbers of employees has <br />dwindled, average enrollment in the health insurance plan has increased because of retirees, <br />additional employees generated by construction of the new jail, and increases in dependent <br />coverage insurance. <br />Director Sexton added that the increased dependent coverage is partly due to the <br />spouses of County employees who have lost their own insurance coverage and been added to <br />their spouse's plan through the County. <br />25 <br />March 24, 2009 <br />