05/18/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

S.A. Human Resources 5.A.1. Health Plan and Employee Clinic Workshop Human Resources Director Suzanne Boyll recalled the Board's request for staff to bring back information on an employee health clinic. In a PowerPoint Presentation, Director Boyll gave an overview of the County's current health plan design, the total members enrolled, and the payroll deductions for the Gold and Silver Health Plans. Chairman Flescher along with Commissioner Earman sought and received clarification from Director Boyll on the number of members and retirees including their dependents enrolled in the County's health plan. Director Boyll discussed the County's health plan costs pointing out that 70% of the medical claims and 20% of pharmacy claims less the rebates accounted for those costs. She reviewed the County's implementation of cost -savings measures for the health plan: an additional prescription savings program, an option for a lower premium health plan known as the Silver Plan, increased emergency room copays, and the Telemedicine benefit. Vice Chairman O'Bryan sought and received information from Director Boyll in regard to the high dollar prescription claims review process and his concern on how it could impact an employee's health if a different medication was prescribed than what had been recommended by the doctor due to cost. Mike Meredith, Executive Vice President with Lockton, the County's Insurance Broker, stated that Lockton employs pharmacologists to determine what drugs give the same health outcome or better to keep the costs down. Ms. Boyll responded to Commissioner Moss that the increase in the expenditures for the pharmaceuticals could be related to the higher cost medication or a chronic condition. County Administrator Jason Brown pointed out the rising cost of prescription drugs were a problem; however, the implementation of the prescription savings program over the years had resulted in a savings. Director Boyll reviewed other health savings options the County had explored and stated the County was currently undertaking an analysis of savings on a supplemental benefit for non -emergent surgeries called SurgeryPlus and Marketing of Pharmacy. Director Boyll and Mr. Meredith detailed the SurgeryPlus supplemental benefit and provided information to the Board on the access to the network of Surgeons of Excellence nationwide where they bundle the pricing for procedures. She indicated if 6