(KNOX) – The Grand Forks County Commission has approved choosing a new and cheaper employee health insurance provider during a special meeting on Tuesday.
The Commission agreed to switch over to the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System. The new plan will cost roughly $5.3 million next year, which is less than the $6.05 million cost for the county’s Blue Cross Blue Shield plan. Human Resources Director Michele Thiel says this change is cost effective.
Thiel also did say that costs could change after June 30,2027.
Commissioners also voted not to lower the county’s total budgeted health insurance funds in light of possible increases.
The Commission did also approve increasing family plans contributions from 82 to 85 percent, and employee contributions under those plans would go down from 18 to 15 percent. Individual plans would stay at a 90 percent to 10 percent split for employer/employee contributions.
The Retirement System plan requires employees on the county’s existing single plus dependent plan to switch to a family plan. The county would also end its health reimbursement arrangement, but employees who have flexible spending accounts can continue to have the reimbursement arrangement.
Blue Cross Blue Shield deductibles for an individual plan next year would be $3,400, and it would be $500 for North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System. A Blue Cross Blue Shield family plan deductible would be $6,800, and it would be $1,500 for North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System.
New employee health plans will go into effect the first of the month following the date of employment with the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System. The current Blue Cross Blue Shield plan has health plans that start the first of the month after 30 days of employment.
The health insurance switch will take effect January 1, 2027.
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