COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners suspended board rules and approved a pair of alternate health insurance plans for county employees during their work session on Thursday.
The plans were put together after negotiations with Blue Cross-Blue Shield by a committee which was formed after concerns were raised by some county employees about large increases in 2022 insurance premiums.
County Administrator Bud Norman said putting the plans together was more complicated than they anticipated because of language in union contracts.
He said there would be a three week open enrollment for county employees with implementation scheduled for June 1.
Norman told Commission Chair Tim Stoll there were several reasons why the county can not contribute more money to cover employee premiums at this time.
Branch County District Court and Sheriff’s Department employees are among those who have expressed their displeasure about the higher insurance premiums for this year.
Premiums went up due to a high amount of claims, more utilization and higher medication use over the last couple of years.
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