By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

City staff bid the Hays employee 2017 health insurance program recently and vetted 26 different proposals.

During a city commission work session Thursday night, Human Resources Director Erin Giebler said staff, with approval of the Wage and Benefit Committee, recommends a triple option plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield. The estimated cost is $1,719,500.

Giebler and City Manager Toby Dougherty believe the city is “lucky to have a premium increase in the single digits. Any year you get that is pretty amazing,” Giebler said.

“As we move forward and continue to absorb more increases, employees are just going to have to pay more. That’s just the way it is,” Dougherty said.

The increase isn’t just market-driven, he added, although that is part of it. It’s also utilization.

“We’ve had some pretty high-dollar claims the past few years–the law of averages,” Dougherty said. “If we get lucky and have a good claims year and lots of people take the high deductible plan, we could possibly come back next year with very similar arrangements (for 2018.) That’s what we’re hoping for.”

Dougherty and commissioners were quick to point out most groups are facing hikes in health insurance premiums.

“It’s no secret that every employer, state government and the Affordable Care Act all have been hit with really high premium increases,” Commissioner Henry Schwaller said. “I’m with the state health plan and I’m not satisfied.  I have to pay way more out-of-pocket than I ever have before and there are a lot more loopholes but I’m still very lucky to have it.”

Staff is also recommending the city provide a one-time $150,000 to match employee contributions to health savings accounts. The city has a $9,500  average-per-employee cap on health insurance.

Commissioners will consider the recommendation at a upcoming meeting.