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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 5, 2016 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 7-c <br /> SUBJECT: Recommendations for Employee Health Insurance and Other Benefits <br /> DEPARTMENT: Human Resources <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1. Benefit Highlights Brenda Bartholomew, Human Resources <br /> 2. Current Premium Equivalent Cost Director, (919) 245-2552 <br /> Share for Medical, Dental and Vision Diane Shepherd, Benefits Manager, <br /> Benefits (919) 245-2558 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve the Manager's recommendations regarding employee health and <br /> dental insurance and other employee benefits effective July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. <br /> BACKGROUND: The County provides employees with a comprehensive benefits plan, <br /> including health, dental and life insurance, an employee assistance program, flexible <br /> compensation plan and paid leave for permanent employees. Additionally, the County <br /> contributes to the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System and a supplemental <br /> retirement plan. <br /> Staff provided relevant information related to the recommendations of this abstract to the Board <br /> of County Commissioners at the March 29, 2016 Work Session Meeting. <br /> The County has been self-funded since January 1, 2014 for medical and pharmacy plans and <br /> continues to be self-insured for the dental plan. The County transitioned from a twelve-month <br /> calendar plan year to a twelve-month fiscal plan year in 2015 aligning with the County's fiscal <br /> year. In February 2015, the Board of County Commissioners approved Gallagher Benefit <br /> Services (GBS) as Broker of Record for the administration of benefit programs, which include <br /> health, dental, vision, and other voluntary programs for employees and retirees. <br /> Since the County's insurance plan is self-funded, the County uses a third party administrator <br /> (TPA) to administer and manage claims. To take advantage of changing market dynamics and <br /> services, the County periodically solicits proposals from companies offering TPA services. On <br /> behalf of Orange County, Gallagher Benefit Services (GBS) conducted a competitive solicitation <br /> for service consideration in FY2016-2017. <br />