October 31, 2017 at 4:27 p.m.
Jay County will change its provider
Health insurance premiums to go up 15 percent
Jay County will change its provider
Health insurance premiums are going up for Jay County employees at the first of the year, and county commissioners are recommending that the county kick in another $25 per month to help cover the cost.
Commissioners agreed Monday to switch coverage from Anthem to Physicians Health Plan to soften the blow of a rate increase.
Anthem had proposed a 31-percent increase in total premiums, but by switching to PHP the county limits the increase to 15 percent. In making the change, commissioners also agreed to adjust the high-deductible version of the plan so that new deductibles will be $4,000 for an individual and $8,000 for a family. That’s up from $3,000 and $6,000 deductibles under the current plan.
The county offers a base plan as well as a high-deductible plan.
While the new coverage will cost the county 15 percent more, the actual increase will vary depending upon what type of coverage is involved. Those with coverage for their families and spouses will see the biggest jump.
“They’re the ones that end up getting hit,” said commissioner Chuck Huffman.
The county currently pays $525 per employee per month to help cover the cost, and commissioners Monday agreed to recommend that county council bump that up to $550.
“I’d like to see us do that,” said commissioner Barry Hudson.
With about 130 employees in the plan, a $25 increase would amount to “just a little shy of $40,000,” said Huffman.
The PHP switch was in line with a recommendation from Platinum Benefits, an employee benefits consulting firm that the county has been dealing with since 2012.
Both Hudson and Huffman indicated they’d like to look at other firms besides Platinum in 2018.
“I do think it’s time to shop this next year,” said Huffman.
Meeting in special session, commissioners authorized the expenditure of up to $3,500 to replace an internet router at the courthouse, based upon the recommendation of information technology consultant Randy Cleaver. The previous router failed earlier this year, and the county has been using a “loaner” in the meantime.
Cleaver will also be returning to the commissioners with quotes on a software designed to reduce the vulnerability of county computers to “phishing,” which occurs when fraudulent emails are used to gain access to passwords or other information.
The software, Know Before, is currently being used in several other counties, Cleaver said. It sends a “phishing test” to county email addresses, measures the scope of the problem, then follows up with training on best practices.
“Sixty-one percent of ransomware attacks are from employees opening up email,” said Cleaver.
He estimated the cost at about $2,000 per year but said he would get a firm quote for commissioners.
“It’s a terrible thing, but we need to do it,” said Hudson.
But commissioners nixed the idea of installing video cameras at the courthouse in another effort to increase security.
“Your county is one of the very few that has little security,” said Cleaver. “You’re the only one I know of that doesn’t have cameras.”
“Why do we need this?” said Hudson. “I’m against it. … I don’t see a need in Jay County. … Where do you stop? There’s no end to it if you’re trying to be perfection.”
Commissioners agreed Monday to switch coverage from Anthem to Physicians Health Plan to soften the blow of a rate increase.
Anthem had proposed a 31-percent increase in total premiums, but by switching to PHP the county limits the increase to 15 percent. In making the change, commissioners also agreed to adjust the high-deductible version of the plan so that new deductibles will be $4,000 for an individual and $8,000 for a family. That’s up from $3,000 and $6,000 deductibles under the current plan.
The county offers a base plan as well as a high-deductible plan.
While the new coverage will cost the county 15 percent more, the actual increase will vary depending upon what type of coverage is involved. Those with coverage for their families and spouses will see the biggest jump.
“They’re the ones that end up getting hit,” said commissioner Chuck Huffman.
The county currently pays $525 per employee per month to help cover the cost, and commissioners Monday agreed to recommend that county council bump that up to $550.
“I’d like to see us do that,” said commissioner Barry Hudson.
With about 130 employees in the plan, a $25 increase would amount to “just a little shy of $40,000,” said Huffman.
The PHP switch was in line with a recommendation from Platinum Benefits, an employee benefits consulting firm that the county has been dealing with since 2012.
Both Hudson and Huffman indicated they’d like to look at other firms besides Platinum in 2018.
“I do think it’s time to shop this next year,” said Huffman.
Meeting in special session, commissioners authorized the expenditure of up to $3,500 to replace an internet router at the courthouse, based upon the recommendation of information technology consultant Randy Cleaver. The previous router failed earlier this year, and the county has been using a “loaner” in the meantime.
Cleaver will also be returning to the commissioners with quotes on a software designed to reduce the vulnerability of county computers to “phishing,” which occurs when fraudulent emails are used to gain access to passwords or other information.
The software, Know Before, is currently being used in several other counties, Cleaver said. It sends a “phishing test” to county email addresses, measures the scope of the problem, then follows up with training on best practices.
“Sixty-one percent of ransomware attacks are from employees opening up email,” said Cleaver.
He estimated the cost at about $2,000 per year but said he would get a firm quote for commissioners.
“It’s a terrible thing, but we need to do it,” said Hudson.
But commissioners nixed the idea of installing video cameras at the courthouse in another effort to increase security.
“Your county is one of the very few that has little security,” said Cleaver. “You’re the only one I know of that doesn’t have cameras.”
“Why do we need this?” said Hudson. “I’m against it. … I don’t see a need in Jay County. … Where do you stop? There’s no end to it if you’re trying to be perfection.”
In other business, commissioners gave the green light to a long list of equipment purchases that had been on hold while departments developed capital projects plans.
Following last week’s meeting, commissioners had followed up with department heads in an effort to separate wants and needs.
All of the purchases will be made from the cumulative capital development fund, providing some relief for the general fund.
Among the purchases are more than 30 computers, a new phone system for the cooperative extension office, several printers and copiers, a replacement van for the retirement center and a new water softener for the jail.
Departments will have to scramble over the next few weeks to secure quotes and take them back to the commissioners for action before the end of the 2017 budget year.
Following last week’s meeting, commissioners had followed up with department heads in an effort to separate wants and needs.
All of the purchases will be made from the cumulative capital development fund, providing some relief for the general fund.
Among the purchases are more than 30 computers, a new phone system for the cooperative extension office, several printers and copiers, a replacement van for the retirement center and a new water softener for the jail.
Departments will have to scramble over the next few weeks to secure quotes and take them back to the commissioners for action before the end of the 2017 budget year.
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