Ohio County Commissioners Greenlight Enhanced Health Care Packages for Employees: What This Means for You

Ohio County employees just caught a big break on their health insurance costs for the coming year. In a recent phone meeting, county commissioners agreed to keep employee contributions the same as this year, despite rising costs.

County Administrator Randy Russell shared that employees will have two options for their health coverage through Blue Cross/Blue Shield—either an individual or a family plan. Previously, employees had three options to choose from.

Even though overall deductibles are set to rise, the county plans to help out. They’ll use funds from the Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) to ease some of the financial pressure on employees. This means that while deductibles increase, employee contributions will remain steady.

Initially, the county braced for a staggering 52% hike in healthcare costs—or about $2.1 million—for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This expectation was based on high claims this year, which led to a higher loss ratio for the insurance company. However, thanks to some adjustments with the HRA, commissioners now predict a lower increase, estimating it will be around $1.8 million instead.

Employees have until June 30 to decide on their health benefits for the 2025-2026 year. But there’s more to consider. Ohio County is also facing a $2 million drop in property tax revenue. The assessed property values in the county are down significantly—nearly $475 million from this year. This decline in revenue could affect future budgets and services.

Healthcare coverage is a crucial issue for many workers, especially in times of economic uncertainty. According to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 60% of Americans expressed concern about their healthcare costs rising. It’s essential for local governments to consider the needs of their employees while managing tight budgets.

Ultimately, how Ohio County navigates these financial changes will be closely watched by other localities. Decisions made now can serve as a model—or a warning—for others facing similar challenges.

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