HR says employees would see no change to plan cards next year; administration handled in‑house

Natasha, the county HR director, told commissioners the move to a self‑funded model would not change employees' day‑to‑day experience in 2027: "They have their card. They go see their doctors. They go to the lab. They go to an urgent care. Nothing changes." She said the county would remain with the same claims processor/TPA arrangement (HAP) so provider relationships would be unchanged.

Natasha added administration would fall to HR but would not require additional staff; HR and broker staff would obtain HIPAA certification and the estimates provided by the broker include administrative reporting fees (for ACA/PCORI). Commissioners asked whether savings could be rebated to employees; staff said the hard cap limits premium mechanics but that the county could consider one‑time rebates or payroll payments using multi‑year savings if appropriate.

Department heads in attendance asked about continued access to individual doctors; staff confirmed provider contracts and TPA processes remain in place with no expected loss of provider access under the proposed funding change.