July 29, 2025 Special Called Meeting - Employee Benefit Coverage

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The special called meeting on July 29, 2025 addressed Hood County's employee benefits for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, with Anko Insurance representatives presenting a comprehensive market review and recommending adoption of an Aetna Non-Stop plan with zero deductible based on significant cost savings compared to the prior Curative carrier and other quoted options. The court voted to approve the Aetna Non-Stop medical plan and unanimously voted to renew the current vision coverage without changes. Additionally, Massa presented a voluntary emergency medical transport benefit covering ground and air ambulance services, while the court deferred a decision on Careflight renewal pending additional pricing information after Air Med's presentation was canceled. The meeting concluded with a TAC county relations briefing.

• Meeting opening and invocationThe special called meeting on employee benefits was opened with location details, invocation, and pledge of allegiance.
• Agenda item: Hood County employee medical and vision coverageThe first agenda item addressed approval of Hood County employee medical and vision coverage for the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
• Anko Insurance representatives introductionDaniel Anderson and Brian Stalins from Anko Insurance, a division of HUB, presented their background and qualifications to the court.
• Market review and carrier quote processThe representatives explained their annual market review process and the carriers that submitted quotes for Hood County's medical coverage.
• Curative renewal and negotiation updateAnderson detailed Curative's renewal pricing, negotiation efforts, and final rates after extensive talks with carrier leadership.
• United Healthcare and Non-Stop Health comparisonNon-Stop Health and United Healthcare quotes were reviewed for price comparison against Curative and Aetna options.
• Aetna pricing and network advantagesAetna emerged as the most competitively priced carrier with significant network improvements over Curative.
• Non-Stop Health HRA and plan designThe Non-Stop Health product paired with Aetna was explained as a fully underwritten HRA with innovative funding and payment structure.
• Cost comparison: current TAC plan versus proposed Aetna planA detailed comparison showed substantial savings with the new Aetna plan compared to Hood County's prior TAC coverage.
• Aetna Non-Stop options and backend exposureThree plan options were presented for Aetna Non-Stop, with variations in deductible and out-of-pocket costs.
• Non-Stop Health underwriting and refund mechanismNon-Stop Health's unique underwriting process was explained, including the risk-sharing and refund structure.
• Broker fee structure and contract changesChanges to broker fee arrangements were disclosed to reduce costs for the county.
• Claims data and loss ratio analysisLarge claims and loss ratio trends were presented to explain Curative's premium increase.
• Recommendation: Aetna Non-Stop with zero deductibleThe insurance representatives recommended Aetna Non-Stop at zero deductible and zero out-of-pocket as the best overall offer.
• Network transition and provider concernsNetwork changes from Curative to Aetna were discussed, including pharmacy transitions and prior authorization considerations.
• HRA alternative and plan design optionsAlternative funding mechanisms and plan design choices were discussed beyond Non-Stop Health.
• Savings and monthly impactSpecific dollar savings and monthly cost reductions were quantified for the county decision.
• Vision coverage status quoVision coverage was maintained with current carrier due to rate guarantee and lack of meaningful savings.
• Motion and vote for Aetna Non-Stop adoptionThe court took a formal vote to approve the Aetna Non-Stop plan for the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
• Vision plan renewal for fiscal year 2025–2026The court voted unanimously to maintain the current vision plan without changes or rate increases.
• Massa emergency medical transport voluntary benefit presentationJiren Floyd and Ken Uler from Massa presented a voluntary EMS membership plan covering ground and air ambulance transportation nationwide with no out-of-pocket costs to employees.
• Careflight renewal decision delayed; Air Med canceled presentationMelissa noted that Careflight renews August 1st but the court deferred action pending additional Massa pricing details and did not receive an Air Med presentation due to a last-minute cancellation.
• Careflight history and utilization concernsMelissa provided background on Hood County's long-standing Careflight membership and expressed doubt about actual employee utilization given local air service preferences.
• Public confusion about emergency service funding and carrier redundancyCourt members and staff discussed the confusing landscape of multiple emergency transport memberships and public misunderstanding about coverage overlap and what taxpayer water bills already support.
• Closing remarks and TAC county relations visitA TAC county relations officer announced her presence to brief elected officials on TAC availability and upcoming county events; meeting concluded.