Commissioners press staff on stop‑loss and mid‑range claim risk in self‑funded proposal

Commissioners pressed county staff about how the proposed self‑funded plan would be protected against very large claims and a possible rise in mid‑range claims that would not trigger stop‑loss coverage. Natasha, the county HR director, described the stop‑loss approach: a per‑person deductible (discussed around $200,000) that protects the county on extremely high single‑person claims, plus an aggregate stop‑loss layer that would further limit exposure, especially during the first year.

Commissioners also probed the vulnerability to numerous mid‑range claims (for example 30 claims at $150,000 each) that a stop‑loss deductible would not cover. Staff acknowledged that mid‑range population increases could raise net costs in a given year and said the county would weigh multi‑year experience, stop‑loss options and potential short‑term fluctuations when reaching a final decision. Natasha and Jackie said contract mechanics with the TPA and funding of a retention account would permit ongoing claims payments while the county retained control of funding and oversight.