Amery board votes to switch employee health plan to Group Health Trust to avoid steep premium jump

The Amery School District board voted April 7 to move the district's employee health insurance from Health Partners to Group Health Trust after hearing a renewal analysis from the district's benefits consultant.

An Aera Group presenter told the board that Health Partners' initial renewal was 20% and that the carrier ultimately offered a 16% increase, which the consultant said would have raised the district's annual cost by about $690,000. By contrast, Group Health Trust offered a 2.8% increase over current premiums and an employer cost increase the consultant estimated at roughly $105,000 for the year. The presenter also said Group Health Trust proposed a 9.5% rate cap for the following year to limit long-term volatility.

The presenter described Group Health Trust as a self-funded plan managed by the Wisconsin Counties Association, using UnitedHealthcare's provider network, UMR as third-party administrator and CVS Caremark as the pharmacy benefit manager. "Their offer was 2.8% over current. That is a very, very great offer when you compare that to the 16%," the presenter said during the meeting.

Board members asked about continuity of care and whether the PBM arrangement would restrict employees to CVS pharmacies. The presenter said the PBM does not prevent use of local pharmacies and that United's broad network should limit necessary provider changes; employees with active treatment regimens would be assigned case managers to minimize disruptions.

After discussion, a board member moved to place the district with Group Health Trust; the motion was seconded and, after a voice vote, the chair announced the motion carried. The meeting record shows the board approved the switch by voice vote; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally.

The presenter also noted plan-design changes required by HSA rules that will raise deductibles modestly and proposed reducing district HSA contributions by $200 for single coverage and $400 for family coverage to help offset costs.

The board's action directs staff to implement the change as presented by the consultant. Officials said open-enrollment and employee education with Group Health Trust and UMR would follow to address individual continuity-of-care needs.

The meeting did not record a formal written motion text beyond the oral mover's statement; board minutes should carry the official motion language and vote record.

The contract and final premium numbers will be reflected in staff contracts and letters of appointment for 20262027 that the board later approved at the meeting.