County insurance will stay with PHP

Jay County will stick with Physicians Health Plan for employee health insurance in 2020.

County commissioners Chuck Huffman, Chad Aker and Mike Leonhard unanimously approved continuing with PHP during a special meeting with Jessica Clayton of Platinum Benefits Consulting Group on Wednesday.

Clayton, who has worked with the county on its health insurance for the past several years, reviewed options involving other insurance carriers and different plan structures.

But commissioners agreed to maintain both the current carrier and the current structure.

The decision means a 5% decrease in premiums and a refund agreement that is expected to pay back $15,000 next year.

County employees are offered a choice between a high deductible plan and a more traditional co-pay plan.

Currently, rates for those in the high deductible plan are $593.13 a month for employee coverage, $1,223.57 a month for employee-spouse coverage, $1,108.94 for employee-children coverage and $1,762.32 for family coverage.

In 2020, those rates will be $564.47 for employee coverage, $1,163.39 for employee-spouse, $1,054.49 for employee-children and $1,675.20 for family coverage.

Current rates for the base plan are $724.40 a month for employee coverage, $1,499.25 for employee-spouse coverage, $1,368.36 for employee-children and $2,161.39 for family coverage.

In 2020, those rates will be $689.18 for employee coverage, $1,425.29 for employee-spouse, $1,291.44 for employee-children, and $2,054.32 for family coverage.

For both plans, the county contributes $550 per month toward employee coverage, $750 per month for employee-children coverage, $650 per month for employee-spouse coverage and $850 per month for family coverage.