Board approves new health plan and employee premium contribution to offset double‑digit renewal

The Stevens Point Area Public School District board on voice vote approved a renewal with Aspirus Health Plan and plan‑design changes intended to limit the district’s projected budget impact from rising health‑insurance costs.

Jamie McDonald of broker M3 told the board the district’s renewal from Aspirus reflected an 11.9% increase and a 101% loss ratio over the most recent reporting period. “For this renewal from Aspirus Health Plan, you received an 11.9% increase,” McDonald said, and he warned that recurring high‑cost claimants had driven the plan’s expense: the top 25 claimants totaled about $8.8 million last year.

The broker presented options to reduce the district’s share, including adding office‑visit and pharmacy copays, raising individual and family deductibles and out‑of‑pocket maximums, and instituting a 2% employee premium contribution. McDonald said a moderate package combining design changes and a 2% employee contribution would lower the projected renewal for the district; the board heard that one stop‑loss proposal identified a $1.8 million “laser” exclusion for a high‑cost claimant, a factor that makes self‑funding risky.

A district finance presenter ran two multi‑year projections showing the fiscal effect of the choices. One projection used an 8.54% first‑year increase (reflecting plan changes and the 2% employee contribution) with a 6% target for subsequent years; that scenario remained solvent in multiyear modeling. Using repeated 11.9% increases in the model, the presenter said, the district’s reserve trend could turn negative as early as February 2028. “11.9% increases in health insurance are just not sustainable,” the presenter said.

Board members questioned Innovia clinic capacity (the district reported approximately 44% utilization) and asked how employees are being introduced to Innovia; administration said Innovia provided presentations, flyers and on‑site biometric events and that a $300 wellness credit after a single visit has helped engage employees.

Chair moved to approve contracting with Aspirus and to continue contracts with Innovia Health and Delta Dental, effective July 1, 2026. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

The board and administration said they will form an insurance committee with employee representatives to review priorities and trade‑offs during implementation and to monitor utilization and cost outcomes.

What happens next: The district will implement the plan design changes for the July 1, 2026 renewal and stand up an insurance committee to work with staff and employees on enrollment choices and potential further cost‑sharing.