Barrow County Commissioners Vote For New County Employee Insurance Provider, Wellness Program

Who Met: Barrow County Board of Commissioners

Where:

When: Tuesday, July 26, at 7:00 p.m.

Who was present: Board members Eva Elder, Steve Worley, Chairman Daniel Yearwood, Jr., Isaiah Berry, Ben Hendrix, Billy Parks, Larry Joe Wilburn; and County Clerk Michelle Sims

Top Agenda Items

Employee insurance: The Commissioners voted to switch county employee health insurance providers from Athens Area Health Plan to United Healthcare of Georgia.

The change follows the results of research performed by a committee chaired by Barrow County’s insurance broker, Matt Bidwell. Bidwell informed the board that $3.3 million of premiums were paid to Athens Area Health Plan during the last fiscal year, of which $2.3 million was paid out to medical expenses. Although the county expected an increase of 9.9 percent in premium rates from Athens Area Health Plan, they received an increase of 21 percent. This led to the search for alternative providers.

Bidwell explained that the committee narrowed its choices to Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Georgia and United Healthcare of Georgia. Both companies quoted lower county contribution requirements while providing quality healthcare to county employees.

After reviewing the differences between the two carriers, the committee agreed that United Healthcare offered a plan that would cost employees 1 percent less in annual premiums and out-of-pocket contributions and save the county more than $100,000.

Wellness plan: The county also approved a new wellness program proposed by the committee. The program intends to identify at-risk health plan members and recommend treatment in order to reduce county medical expenses.

Bidwell explained to the board that of the 824 men, women and children insured through the county, 21 accounted for $1.3 million of the $2.3 million in claims last year. Statistics show that only 30 percent of county employees get an annual exam, despite the fact that county insurance pays for 100 percent of the costs of a yearly exam.

“All studies show that without financial incentive, wellness programs are not successful,” Bidwell explained. The program will include an allotment of $30,000 to be put aside for incentive programs to be used throughout the year.

The new program will begin next year. During open enrollment, employees will have to provide proof that they received their annual exam to enroll in the Wellness Participation Program. Bidwell also explained that the county will not know the details of the exam. Those who participate in the wellness program will receive a discounted premium rate.

Other business:

• The board approved an upgrade of Barrow County’s information system. The current system, Kronos 6.0, is outdated and is in need of upgrade to continue legislative, human resource and payroll functions. Barrow County Purchasing Director Bob Hohe and County Chief Financial Officer Rose Kisaalita worked together to propose a plan which uses surplus within the 2011 fiscal budget and will not impact the 2012 budget. A new system was first considered at the cost of $110,000. The upgrade to Kronos 6.2 will only cost $28,000.
• Chairman Yearwood announced that a committee was formed to search for a new  due to the departure of Katie Ferm, who has served in the position since 2009.
• The board voted unanimously to introduce Proposal 1 to modify the boundaries of the six Board of Commissioners districts at the August 2011 legislative session. The county is required by law to adjust district boundaries to allow even distribution of residents according to discrepancies shown in the 2010 census.
• The commissioners voted to approve a proposal by county Chief Dennis Merrifield to coordinate volunteers and donations following disaster situations. The plan gives authority to the fire and EMS to direct volunteers to organizations such as the Red Cross and Georgia’s Baptist Association. Chairman Yearwood requested that if a situation arises in which this program may cost the county money, that they first request the board’s approval.
• The board approved the submission of an application to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency on behalf of the county Fire and Emergency Services Department requesting $25,000 to go toward the narrow-banding of the county’s emergency communications system. The county is under a narrow-banding compliance deadline set by the state. The project will cost about $110,000 total.

The Barrow County Board of Commissioners will next meet at 7:00 p.m., on August 9 at the Barrow County Administration Building.