
County Health Insurance Changed On Unanimous Vote The momentum for a switch has been building up for months and the problems with Marinette County’s one-county self-insurance plan have mounted yearly, with big annual deficits despite premiums among the highest in the state of Wisconsin. With a statistical base of 363 that includes 63 retirees, the volume and the size of claims were at a high level for eight years. The vote to join the Wisconsin Counties Association Group Health Trust was unanimous and not one voice of doubt was raised at the Tuesday, Aug. 4, meeting.
Kim Hurtz, vice president of Group Health, gave a summary of the facts involved in joining with 21 Wisconsin Counties in what she defined as also a self-insured plan, but with a much larger statistical base membership.
The rates comparisons showed dramatic savings, with no change in coverage. The present total annual rate is $7,650,010. The new annual rate comes to $6,739,848. This is an annual saving of $919,252.
The session began with a joint meeting of the Finance and Personnel Committees. The question was stated as “Remain self-insured or enter into an agreement with Group Health and Dental”.
Action was quick and decisive. John Guarisco moved to switch with a second from Steve Dill. The vote was unanimous.
The entire board then convened and fact sheets and a 29-page WCA Group Health Trust brochure were distributed. Hurtz reviewed the brochure page by page. It included duplication of current benefit levels, a list of memberships, which included Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Columbia, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Green Lake, Iron, Langlade, Marathon, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Sawyer, Ozaukee, Shawano. Taylor. Washburn and Waushara counties. It showed Oconto County’s premium rates, over the past six years, benefit comparisons by counties with all details, claim experiences for 2007 and 2008, annual cost per employee, claim breakdowns, overall claims and demographics, prescription drug utilization, top ten drugs utilization, prescription utilization by age, and more, a totally comprehensive statistical summary.
She said the Group Health Plan is a nonprofit setup, and administrative costs are at 5%.
There were virtually no questions when she finished.
Mike Cassidy moved for approval with a second by Ken Casper. There was no need for a roll call; the voice vote was unanimous. The changeover will be effective Jan. 1, 2010.

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