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Monday, April 25, 2013 – 6:00 p.m.
Courthouse Annex, 79 Jackson Street, Zebulon, Georgia
From the Post Agenda:
The Pike County Board of Commissioners held its Special Called Meeting on Monday, April 25, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room, Courthouse Annex, at 79 Jackson Street, Zebulon. Chairman Briar Johnson convened the meeting, and Commissioners Carol Bass, Tamra Jarrett, Tommy Powers, and James Jenkins attended. Interim County Manager to Tom Morton, and County Clerk Jo Ann Wrye were also present. (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(e) (2))
1. CALL TO ORDER .........................................................................................Chairman Briar Johnson
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE........................................................................Chairman Briar Johnson
3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - (O.C.G.A. 50-14-1 (e) (1))
Motion/second by Commissioner Powers/Commissioner Bass to approve the agenda, motion carried 5-0.
4. ORDER OF BUSINESS
a. Discuss employee insurance and benefits. Matt Bidwell will also be present to address the Board.
Matt Bidwell of MSI addressed the Board regarding renewal of the employee health insurance and presented the Board with a worksheet of the different levels of insurance from Blue Cross/Blue Shield that were available to Pike County employees. Mr. Bidwell stated they asked Signa, Aetna, United Health Care and a few others, but because the County has had four different insurance carriers in the last five years, they refused to give Pike County any bids. The insurance companies like to see employers stay with an insurance company at least two years. Mr. Bidwell explained that is why we are staying with Blue Cross/ Blue Shield this year. After discussion of our current insurance plan with Blue Cross/Blue Shield and the different renewal options available to Pike County, Mr. Bidwell recommended the county adopt Renewal Option 1. This option is basically the same coverage currently offered with the county paying 85%, but with a higher out-of-pocket expense for the employee if they have a serious claim. He explained that the deductible for coinsurance will go from $2,000 to $4,000 for a catastrophic claim. The other change is for the doctor visit which will be $25 for primary care physician, but will be $50 for a specialist. Commissioner Jenkins asked if there was a cap on what the insurance will pay once the deductible has been met and Mr. Bidwell replied that there is no cap on what the insurance will pay due to the new healthcare reform. Commissioner Bass asked if the deductible was per person and not per family; Mr. Bidwell explained it was per person with a maximum of three deductibles per family. Commissioner Jenkins asked Mr. Bidwell why did he only ask the insurance companies he stated and not anymore and Mr. Bidwell explained that those were the only insurance companies that covered this area. Commissioner Jarrett asked about the Working Spouse Rule in whether or not we could add that to our insurance and to explain what that term means. Mr. Bidwell explained that the Working Spouse Rule means that if an employee’s spouse is working and their employer offers insurance, the spouse must enroll in their employer’s insurance. If the spouse does not enroll in his/her employer’s insurance and decides to be covered under Pike Counties insurance there is a penalty of $100 to $200 per month to carry them on the counties insurance. However, the Working Spouse Rule will not apply if the spouse is working for themselves or works for a company that does not offer insurance. Mr. Bidwell stated this could be added as a clause to our insurance. Commissioner Jarrett questioned how would the county know if the spouse is working and has insurance offered at their place of employment. Mr. Bidwell stated there is a form the employees will sign stating those facts and if it was found that the employee falsified their statement most employers implement a penalty that ranges from termination or a fine to be paid towards their insurance for the remainder of their time working at their place of employment.
After much discussion of the other options available the Board thanked Mr. Bidwell for his time and information he presented to them.
Motion/second by Commissioner Jarrett/Commissioner Bass to include the Working Spouse Rule to our insurance with a penalty of termination or a fine of $150 for the remainder of the employee’s employment with the county for false statements regarding the Working Spouse Rule. Motion carried 5-0.
Motion/second by Commissioner Powers/Commissioner Bass to adopt Renewal Option 1 for medical insurance with Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Bidwell stated the dental insurance benefits remain the same with a slight increase to the premiums.
Motion/second by Commissioner Jarrett/Commissioner Powers to adopt the Dental Plan from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Motion carried 5-0.
5. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None
6. ADJOURNMENT
Motion/second by Commissioner Powers/Commissioner Jarrett to adjourn, motion carried 5-0.
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