Select Board reviews health insurance options and mitigation risks as premiums rise

Select Board members and staff spent a substantial portion of the Feb. 25 meeting reviewing employee benefits and health‑insurance options, including a potential move from the Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust to the state Group Insurance Commission (GIC).

Staff presented preliminary modeled estimates under different plan‑mix assumptions and a 10% rate scenario. Examples discussed included per‑employee estimates in model runs (figures presented in discussion included amounts around $1,475 and $1,351 depending on migration assumptions). The presenters stressed that firm rates would not be known until GIC’s rate‑setting meeting and that final numbers would likely be available in May, when town meeting materials are finalized.

The board discussed mitigation and runout liabilities associated with leaving the county trust. Staff said the town would need to contribute a share of first‑year savings to unions (characterized as 25% of first‑year savings) and outlined potential runout claims that could be amortized over several years. To begin building a reserve for that uncertainty, staff proposed a placeholder contribution of $25,000 in the budget.

Panelists also reviewed other benefits costs: retirement contribution increases to the Hampshire County retirement group and questions about which municipal and school employees are covered by particular lines. Officials said the town is on an amortization schedule to reduce an underfunded pension liability and that full funding is expected on the current timetable.

No formal decisions to change insurance trusts were made at the Feb. 25 session; staff said they will continue to analyze final GIC rates, meet with the unions about mitigation arrangements and return with firm figures prior to any final action.