Scott Day with Day Insurance presented the 2025 Health Insurance quote to Greenwood County Commissioners on Monday, Nov. 4 during their regular meeting.
In regards to efforts to keeping rates low for staff by the county funding a portion of the claims account, Day noted that they would be barely seeing an increase on Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS). In addition to figures for BCBS, Day also provided a quote for a fully self-funded plan through Liberty Mutual which he explained had come in with a competitive quote.
Day shared that some pharmacies are no longer accepting BCBS as they are changing their formulary. Day then commented that seven Greenwood County employees were going to lose a medication through Blue Cross.
A Corporate Plan Management (CPM) representative was present to discuss the self-funded plan quoted by Day. It was noted that the Greenwood County Hospital and most local physicians and Physician Assistants are in network as well. The option of reference-based pricing would be available for those out of network. Day commented that CPM has a program available and no one would lose any current medications being taken.
CPM supports price transparency and has a comparison tool which allows employees to shop for reduced cost on a price comparison platform. This would allow for an incentive to be offered for those who opt for lower cost. This would benefit the employee as well as the county.
The representative who presented their proposal noted the county should expect this to be lower through CPM next year as they will have better data.
The representative explained that with the self-fund plan, the county would set their rates. CPM would act as administrator for Providers Care coverage under Liberty Mutual for the Greenwood County insurance plan. Day would be the broker.
The CPM Sharx program was discussed. This program sourced medication from Canada for potential savings of 50% for prescriptions. Pre-existing conditions would be covered and CPM shops the plan each year. It takes about 40 days for a provider who is out of network to become in network if they are interested in doing so.
GWCH CEO Sandy Dickerson, who appeared by Zoom, confirmed they are in the Providers Care network.
Ballard asked that BCBS be pressured for records so more specific numbers can be provided by CPM for further consideration. This is being further explored.
The Road and Bridge Report was provided by Supervisor Allen Greenwood. Greenwood shared that a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) meeting had been held to make sure everything was being filled out properly for paperwork submissions.
In old business, Greenwood shared he is waiting for a call back from the Corps of Engineers in regards to BB Road to discuss what they are looking to do to the roadway; the county is looking to mill this for the winter to be chip sealed later.
Greenwood asked that townships which have requests to present, please submit those prior to the end of the year, as early as feasible.
When Commissioner Ballard referenced a 10-wheeler truck at the county yard, Greenwood noted this needs to be sold. A list is being compiled of equipment that could be sold.
Ballard shared he had called the company in regards to the forestry cutter not being utilized and spoke in favor of selling the Bobcat attachment. Commissioner Preston Evenson asked that, as the sale of items is considered, they contact Johnson Realty and Auction for consideration. Ballard noted that trade in might also be an option to look at.
County resident and Salt Springs Township representative Sherri Shaffer was present in regards to the bridge at 80th Street and BB Road. Shaffer explained that someone had reached out to notify her the bridge was needing repair. It was explained that the approach at the bridge is eroding inward. Greenwood commented he had also been contacted and he had looked at the bridge. He explained there is a large amount of rock on the south side of the road needing reclaimed and this could be used to fix this. Greenwood explained this can be reclaimed with the blade. Commissioner Ben Fox asked that Greenwood meet the township grader at the site and show her how to conduct this.
In regards to discussion in previous meetings regarding the 50/50 shared portion of road on BB (between 50th to 57th Street), between Greenwood County and the Corps of Engineers, Shaffer shared that the Corps of Engineers in Tulsa has been good about responding to her and she was hopeful they would be contacting Greenwood.
At this time, Ballard clarified the county is responsible for the structure of the bridge and the township is responsible for the road up to it. Commissioner Evenson told Shaffer if the township could budget for larger rock, this may be something to look into to aid with the issue.
The Fee Report was presented and reviewed.
The 2025 calendar was approved as presented.
Special payables in the amount of $6,840.53 were approved.
Minutes of the Oct. 21 and Oct. 28 meetings were approved.
The next meeting of the Greenwood County Commission will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 9 a.m.
