Reno County Commission approves health‑plan changes, raises stop‑loss and adds tobacco surcharge
May 11, 2026 | Reno County, Kansas
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The Reno County Commission voted to approve changes to the county’s employee group health plan that county staff said will help manage a projected $250,000 increase in health‑care costs.
Renee Harris, Reno County human resources director, told commissioners the plan renewal came back with a 4.1% increase that amounts to roughly $250,000. Harris recommended raising the county’s stop‑loss for its self‑insured plan from $75,000 to $100,000; she said Blue Cross projects a net premium reduction of about $50,000 under that option, while county staff noted maximum savings could be as much as $183,000 depending on utilization.
“We are responsible for the first $100,000 of it,” Harris said, explaining the stop‑loss change and the tradeoff in taking on additional claims risk.
The approved package keeps the existing plan designs — a major‑medical option and a high‑deductible option — and allocates the cost of the renewal between the county and employees. Harris reported June enrollment of about 114 employees in the major‑medical plan and 213 in the high‑deductible plan, and said roughly 134 employees contribute to health savings accounts.
As part of the changes, the county will implement a separate tobacco surcharge for employees who self‑identify as tobacco users. Harris said 88 employees were recorded as tobacco users in June billing. Employees who complete an eight‑week Blue Cross cessation program and meet program requirements can have the surcharge removed under the county’s policy.
Commission discussion focused on the arithmetic behind the savings estimates, historical wellness program impacts and how the county and employees will share costs. Staff reiterated the county budgeted $4,750,000 for health care in 2020.
Commissioner (speaker 3) moved to approve the 2019–2020 group health insurance premiums and related plan adjustments; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call.
The county plans to monitor utilization and claims activity and review the impacts of the stop‑loss change in future renewals.
Renee Harris, Reno County human resources director, told commissioners the plan renewal came back with a 4.1% increase that amounts to roughly $250,000. Harris recommended raising the county’s stop‑loss for its self‑insured plan from $75,000 to $100,000; she said Blue Cross projects a net premium reduction of about $50,000 under that option, while county staff noted maximum savings could be as much as $183,000 depending on utilization.
“We are responsible for the first $100,000 of it,” Harris said, explaining the stop‑loss change and the tradeoff in taking on additional claims risk.
The approved package keeps the existing plan designs — a major‑medical option and a high‑deductible option — and allocates the cost of the renewal between the county and employees. Harris reported June enrollment of about 114 employees in the major‑medical plan and 213 in the high‑deductible plan, and said roughly 134 employees contribute to health savings accounts.
As part of the changes, the county will implement a separate tobacco surcharge for employees who self‑identify as tobacco users. Harris said 88 employees were recorded as tobacco users in June billing. Employees who complete an eight‑week Blue Cross cessation program and meet program requirements can have the surcharge removed under the county’s policy.
Commission discussion focused on the arithmetic behind the savings estimates, historical wellness program impacts and how the county and employees will share costs. Staff reiterated the county budgeted $4,750,000 for health care in 2020.
Commissioner (speaker 3) moved to approve the 2019–2020 group health insurance premiums and related plan adjustments; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call.
The county plans to monitor utilization and claims activity and review the impacts of the stop‑loss change in future renewals.
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