Facing relentless increases in health care costs that squeeze both county workers and taxpayers, the Indian River County Commission adopted an employee health plan for the coming year costing taxpayers an additional $250,000 and raising workers’ premium contributions for the top tier plan.
The county will kick in an additional $40 in monthly premiums for single employees and $80 for families enrolled in both the silver and gold plans while workers on the gold plan would pay an additional $25 for individuals and $50 per family.
Employee contributions to the silver plan would not change. A new telemedicine component would be administered through Florida Blue’s Teledoc Health costing the county about $30,600 annually.
The new plan is expected to create a budget shortfall of more than $940,000 that would come out of the county’s insurance trust reserve balance.
“Next year, this isn’t going away,” warned Commissioner Peter O’Bryan. “There probably will be additional increases next year. Health care is a tough thing. It’s getting more expensive by the minute.”
Commissioners are still considering establishing some kind of health clinic for employees as in other counties, but postponed that discussion till early 2021.
“The clinic has been successful in other counties or districts,” said Commission chairwoman Susan Adams. “We should look into it–not necessarily to make money, but to provide benefit to our employees.”
The county insures about 3,600 employees and retirees.
County fire union president John O’Connor wasn’t happy with raising employee health premiums, saying they erode salary increases and cause first responders to seek employment elsewhere.
“We have turned into a training ground,” O’Connor said. “Two to three years later, they’re out the door. We are continuing to lose people on a regular basis.”
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