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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 0, 2010 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 4- _ty] <br /> SUBJECT: Health care Assessment Update <br /> DEPARTMENT: Human Resources PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Michael McGinnis, HR Director, 245-2552 <br /> Diane Shepherd, Benefits Manager, 245-2558 <br /> Annette Moore, Staff Attorney,- 245-2317 <br /> PURPOSE: To update the Board of Commissioners on the status of current employee Health <br /> Assessment and to recommend an amendment to the 2010 health insurance renewal. <br /> BACKGROUND: Currently, the County offers two fully insured health insurance plans <br /> contracted through the North Carolina Association,of County Commissioners (NCACC) Health <br /> Insurance Trust and administered by CIGNA. On September 15, 2009, Commissioners <br /> approved the 2010 health insurance renewal with the County paying the full cost of employee <br /> coverage through March 2010. Employees were to be charged a $10.00 monthly premium <br /> beginning April 2010; however, employees who completed a confidential Health Assessment by <br /> March 8, 2010 would be exempted from paying the premium. <br /> The Health Assessment was developed by the University of Michigan as the result of over 25 <br /> years of development and data analysis. It included questions related to an individual's health <br /> (weight, blood pressure, cholesterol) and behavior (smoking, drinking, exercise, and driving <br /> habits). Other questions addressed specific health conditions, such as arthritis, cancer, <br /> disease, stroke and other conditions. <br /> The intent of the County's program was to: (1) help individuals learn about their own health <br /> issues and how to improve their health; and (2) promote better health practices among <br /> employees that would help reduce the medical liability expense that the County now bears and <br /> will bear in the future. The goal was that no employee would be charged the $10.00 premium. <br /> Staff undertook initiatives to promote the Health Assessment and achieve this g oal. As of <br /> March 8, 2010, 807 individuals, or more than 91% of employees and retirees, completed the <br /> Health Assessment. 744 employees (91.4%) and 123 retirees (93.2%) completed the <br /> assessment, leaving only 72 employees and 9 retirees who would not be exempt from paying <br /> the premium. <br /> At time of renewal, all options were discussed with NCACC and CIGNA. NCACC and CIGNA <br /> representatives encouraged the approved recommendation. Between late October 2009 and <br /> March 2010, additional discussions regarding the Health Assessment occurred. Based on the <br /> information presented; staff believes the County can better meet its goals by not imposing a <br /> $1.0.00 monthly premium. <br />