Wausau School Board approves changes to employee health plan deductibles and out-of-pocket limits

The Wausau School District Board approved Nov. 11 proposed changes to employee health plans that raise deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket limits across plan tiers, district staff said.

John (district staff) told the board the two items changing are the deductible and the maximum out-of-pocket. He said the traditional plan’s single deductible would move from $600 to $1,000 and the family deductible from $1,200 to $2,000; the district’s high-deductible plans would increase proportionally, and out-of-pocket maximums would also rise. “The only 2 things that are changing are the deductible and out of pocket maximum,” John said while reviewing plan comparisons.

John and other staff said medical-inflation trends, use of specialty medications and regional provider consolidation are driving premiums and costs. The presentation included a regional average annual cost figure of $18,466 per employee. Staff emphasized that similar changes are occurring nationally and in Central Wisconsin and said district choices are intended to keep the district’s plans competitive in the local market.

Board members asked about staff engagement; district staff said they held four optional virtual meetings for employees and fielded questions. After discussion — and one recorded abstention and one recorded no vote noted in the meeting — the board approved the recommended changes to take effect Jan. 1, 2025.

District staff will continue employee outreach and said they will report back as needed on enrollment or cost impacts.