Fallon County moves to end current wellness contract and begin benefits transition; commissioners discuss life coverage options

Commissioners discussed a multi-part set of employee-benefits items and approved several administrative steps to implement a planned transition to a new third-party administrator.

Staff asked the commission not to renew the county’s existing Healthiest Wellness contract and to send the required 90-day termination notice; wellness-committee members had recommended ending the contract because participation had been limited. Staff noted one alternative would be purchasing an InBody body-composition scanner (rough quote $9,995) for internal wellness use, but they recommended pausing any purchase until staff can confirm employee interest.

The commission also reviewed a proposed wellness-lab option (Rocky Mountain Biometrics) that would offer on-site lab draws and incentives for employees during open enrollment. Fallon Medical Center (FMC) is exploring whether it can draw labs while Rocky Mountain Biometrics provides the biometric program; staff said they will have a follow-up call and report back.

On benefits administration, staff recommended a 12-month runout with EBMS to allow providers time to submit claims after the county switches TPAs; staff cautioned this would incur a minimum monthly administrative fee (estimated at a $500 monthly minimum for 12 months, roughly $6,000). Commissioners voted to proceed with a 12-month runout to protect employees from delayed provider billing and to continue working with the new vendor (Mako) on contributions and plan choices.

Commissioners discussed life-insurance options. Staff proposed offering a $10,000 employer-paid supplemental life-policy option (approx. $1.85 per eligible employee per month) to allow eligible employees to obtain family coverage; the voluntary life option would remain available at no employer cost. No final action was taken to add employer-paid spouse/child coverage immediately; commissioners said the voluntary option will be available and that the employer-paid choices could be revisited at open enrollment.

Staff also presented premium modeling for the bridge period (six months) and preliminary options for plan design starting Jan. 1, 2027. The county plans a work session with the benefits committee and Mako to finalize plan options and employer contribution levels before open enrollment.

Next steps: staff will send the Healthiest Wellness termination notice today (per contract deadlines), pursue the EBMS 12-month runout, coordinate calls with Rocky Mountain Biometrics and FMC, and schedule a work session for plan selection and contribution decisions ahead of September 15 deadlines.