Floyd County employees question possible health insurance penalty

Dec. 05--NEW ALBANY -- Floyd County's success with Humana's Go-365 program has been well documented in the last two years.

In 2017, 87 employees reached certain goals that helped the county save $90,000 on its health insurance premium. This year, 187 employees out of an estimated 300 have participated, saving the county $210,000.

The Floyd County Commissioners hope to see even more participation next year because there was a significant increase in health insurance cost for 2019. But instead of the Go-365 being a voluntary program, employees who don't participate and meet certain levels next year face a fine, or surcharge. And that has a few employees a little upset heading into 2019. Some shared their concerns at Tuesday's commissioners' meeting.

The commissioners, however, say the only way to control health insurance costs moving forward is to get all of the employees participating in the program so the county can save upwards of $300,000 a year.

The program has different stages, but before being eligible for rewards, participants must reach the silver status, and have until Aug. 31 to reach it. That means they need to have a biometric screening completed, which includes everything from blood pressure to having blood sugar count tested. Other preventable screenings which count toward a silver status include vision, dental and those that are performed during yearly checkups.

Several employees voiced concerns about employees being forced to participate, and the technology portion that counts points through an iPhone app not working properly.

"Part of the problem is there are no guarantees with technology," said Jeff Firkins, an officer with the Floyd County Sheriff's Department. "There are technology issues with this. This is a good program on a voluntary basis but I don't think it's fair for you to say 'you are going to do it or we are going to punish you with a tax.'"

Employees have certain deadlines to hit or face a fine. They must register by April 1, 2019, which includes taking a health assessment online. By Aug. 31, 2019, employees must achieve Silver status, which includes biometric screening. If employees fail to hit these deadlines, they face a $25 charge for a single plan per pay period and a $50 fee if they are on the family plan.

"This just wasn't rolled out very well to employees," Capt. Doug Standiford with the Floyd County Sheriff's Department said. "They [employees] have a lot of questions that they haven't received answers to. There are flaws; this is not a perfect system. Who makes the decisions on these benchmarks?"

If there are problems with the Go-365 app, employees will be able to make their appeal to the commissioners.

Commissioners' president Mark Seabrook said employees have a choice, and if they choose not to participate they will pay more than others. He said it's no different than someone who smokes and pays higher health insurance. They make that choice.

Standiford said if the commissioners would address the concerns they would get less pushback from employees. He said more information should have been shared before the commissioners approved the plan in October.

"Pushing people to do something is not a good way to get results," he said.

Commissioner John Schellenberger said employees need to listen, get the information because Go-365 is here and is a way for the county to save on health insurance costs.

"I think they would be more upset if we didn't take advantage of this to reduce their rates," Schellenberger said.

MOSER KNOB REOPENING

After months of construction and improvements, Moser Knob Road will finally reopen Friday.

Chris Morris is an assistant editor at the News and Tribune. Contact him via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @NAT_ChrisM.

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