Commissioners renew healthcare

Adams County employees will see the same health insurance with some changes in the pharmacy program next year.

The mail order three-month prescriptions' program will increase by $6 and the cost for generic drugs will rise by $3 per refill at the pharmacy, according to Michele Miller, Adams County director of human resources.

Adams County commissioners recently approved the 2024 Capital Blue Cross renewal of program design, including preferred provider organization (PPO), Rx, and vision.

Miller said $8.8 million has been budgeted for health insurance next year.

The budget shows a $333,800 reduction "based on utilization history," according to county officials.

"Healthcare can fluctuate greatly based on actual experience as the year goes along," officials said.

Miller said 80 percent of eligible employees elect to utilize the county's health insurance.

Adams County Commissioner Chair Randy Phiel said the county spends a lot of time studying healthcare.

"Not surprisingly, it is a hiring and retention item," Phiel said.

Miller said the average annual premium a single person in an employer-sponsored health plan paid in 2023 is estimated at $1,327 with a $2,000 deductible, per a report from USA Today.

Adams County's 2024 health plan for a single person with a $1,000 deductible will cost $252.72 annually, according to Miller, who indicated it was the same as this year.

"We know from talking to our employees that having accessible, affordable, quality healthcare for their family members is a critical issue," Miller said. "This is a determining factor when one is deciding to work for the County of Adams versus other employers as well as something they compare when there are other job opportunities. An increase to the cost of having health insurance and the affordability of using it contributes to the families' total income."

With a self-insured model, Adams County "funds an internal services fund with dollars to directly pay for the services the insured need," according to Miller.

This is done instead of incurring a monthly premium under the assumption that everyone uses their insurance at certain levels, Miller said.

Commissioners voted on the renewal prior to the final budget approval to ensure accuracy, according to Miller.

During the meeting, commissioners also approved a proposal from Waste Management of Pennsylvania, based in Moon Township, for solid waste removal at the Adams County Courthouse, human services building, emergency services building, and the Adams County Adult Correctional Complex.

The agreement, set for a one-year term, has a monthly cost of $2,835 or yearly estimate of $34,000, officials said.

Adams County Solicitor Molly Mudd said they took all the renewal dates for the different locations and created one master contract with Waste Management for "ease of administration."