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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 4, 2017 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 6-c <br /> SUBJECT: Recommendations for Employee Health Insurance and Other Benefits <br /> DEPARTMENT: Human Resources <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Current Premium Equivalent Cost Share Brenda Bartholomew, Human Resources <br /> for Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits Director, (919) 245-2552 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve the Manager's recommendations regarding employee health and <br /> dental insurance and other employee benefits effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, <br /> which are summarized as follows: <br /> • No increase in premium equivalent for medical coverage or increase in dental or vision <br /> premiums; <br /> • Include in the current plan design trans-inclusive health care coverage effective July 1, <br /> 2017; and <br /> • Carve out pharmacy coverage with a Pharmacy Benefits Manager for July 1, 2017 <br /> coverage. <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 Employee's Retirement System and a supplemental <br /> retirement plan. <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 the benefit programs, which <br /> include health, dental, vision, and other voluntary programs for employees and retirees. <br /> In FY2016/2017, the Board of County Commissions approved the recommendation of the <br /> County Manager to continue with UnitedHealth Care (UHC) as the County's Third Party <br /> Administrator for health insurance programs and granted authority to the County Manager to <br /> renew the Third Party Administrator contract with United Health Care. <br />