Dawson County commissioners navigate health insurance renewal

In a nearly three-hour session Wednesday morning, the Dawson County Board of Commissioners focused on renewal of group health insurance for county employees.

Dan Schwartzkopf, insurance broker/agent at Jones Insurance Agency, provided a detailed overview of the health plan's components and coverage. While initial feedback from the commissioners was largely positive, a representative from the Register of Deeds office raised concerns regarding the adequacy of the $500 preventive care allowance in light of evolving health care needs.

Schwartzkopf fielded questions regarding the possibility of increasing preventive care amounts, attributing the current limitations to provisions outlined in the Affordable Care Act.

Amid the discussions, Schwartzkopf emphasized the urgency of the situation, citing an obligation to submit a disclosure statement annually by May 1, the day of the meeting. With that time constraint in mind, Schwartzkopf recommended that the board proceed with a motion to approve the health insurance renewal.

Following deliberations and exchanges between Schwartzkopf and the commissioners, a motion was made by Commissioner PJ Jacobson and seconded by Commissioner Bill Stewart to accept the Orien-Fairco bid option presented by Schwartzkopf.

After the motion was made, all commissioners voted aye.

This option, with an annual maximum with a laser amount of $2,529,360.96, was accompanied by a proposal to amend the plan document to remove the $500 wellness cap while aligning with the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.