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soux 10.7 fAcE 3 <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Staff recommends the Board approve the purchase of the Spectracom Netclock Master Clock at <br />a cost of 54.840 from Communications International. Inc.. on a sole source basis with funding <br />from the 9-1-1 Surcharge account which funds the 9-1-1 Communications Center equipment. <br />ON MOTION by Commissioner Eggert, <br />SECONDED by Commissioner Ginn, the Board <br />unanimously approved the purchase of the <br />Spectracom Netclock Master Clock at a cost of <br />$4,840 from Communications International, Inc. on <br />a sole -source basis with funding from the 9-1-1 <br />Surcharge account, as recommended by staff. <br />11.F. GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN - BLUE <br />CROSSBLUE SHIELD - UNIPSYCH CORPORATION <br />The Board reviewed a Memorandum of September 9, 1998: <br />TO: James E. Chandler <br />County Administrator <br />THRU: Tom Bisaillon-I Q <br />Acting Personnel Director <br />FROM: Ann Rankine, <br />Benefits/Payroll Specialist <br />DATE: September 9, 1998 <br />SUBJECT: Group Health Plan <br />Staff requests consideration of the following information at the <br />September 15, 1998, regular meeting of the Board of County <br />Commissioners. <br />Background <br />In early June this year, Blue Cross Blue Shield and John Alden the <br />re -insurance company initially proposed a 14% increase or <br />$760,795.20, in the overall cost to the county's group health plan. <br />This was due to increases imposed by the effects of higher claims <br />(Exhibit I); Federal Legislation (Health Insurance Portability <br />Accountability Act) and Drug Card program with current co -pay <br />concessions "Dispense as Written" (Exhibit II). In reviewing the <br />current benefits, Mackie Branham, Agent of Record, had suggested <br />other alternatives which would assist to reduce the proposed <br />increase and the overall cost to the group health plan for contract <br />year 10/01/98 - 09/30/99. <br />Analysis <br />One of the provision under HIPAA is the Mental Health Parity Act <br />which went into effect January 1, 1998. This Act imposes on all <br />group health plans that Mental Health benefit limits be in parity <br />or equal to the same dollar limits as any surgical event in major <br />medical plans. Therefore, the mental health benefit could incur <br />the same exposure as a heart and lung transplant. By carving out <br />the mental and nervous benefits from the group health plan and <br />administering these benefits through a self-insured, fully funded <br />September 15, 1998 <br />-28- <br />• 0 <br />