Sonoma County fire agencies scrambling to find new health insurance after coverage canceled

Thousands of Sonoma County firefighters, retirees and their families could soon face higher health insurance costs after the statewide consortium that provides their medical benefits voted to shut down its program at year's end.

Fire Risk Management Services, a Sacramento-based "joint powers authority" that has pooled insurance for 35 districts statewide, including six in Sonoma County, decided June 23 not to renew its health plan for 2026 after learning premiums would spike 60%. The current plan expires Dec. 31.

The decision leaves districts scrambling to line up new coverage before open enrollment begins Oct. 1.

"The challenge is finding the best option that maintains as close to the same level of benefits our employees currently have, at the most reasonable price point," said Sonoma Valley Fire District Chief Steve Akre, FRMS board president since 2022.

Locally, the move affects Sonoma Valley, Gold Ridge, Schell-Vista, Sonoma County, Northern Sonoma County and Cloverdale fire protection districts. In all, roughly 1,000 policyholders — plus their family members — are covered by the soon-to-end plan.

At Sonoma Valley Fire alone, 79 full-time employees and 16 retirees receive FRMS benefits.

Formed to help agencies contain insurance costs, FRMS couldn't absorb the jump in premiums, which Akre called "not sustainable" and "not reasonable."

"It wasn't for a lack of engagement or interest or awareness, this was something that we just couldn't anticipate," said Akre.

He speculated the spike may be tied to more people returning to doctors after delaying visits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We had a couple of years of low utilization," Akre said. "We're now feeling – over the last year to two – a rebound where people are now feeling more comfortable and we're seeing really high utilization rates."

Fire leaders say they're working to ensure no one loses coverage.

"It's not as if employees are going to be without health care," Gold Ridge Fire Protection Chief Shepley Schroth-Cary said. "We will have a resolution."

Those solutions may vary by district. Some are exploring statewide insurance pools; others may negotiate individual contracts. Sonoma Valley Fire has hired Rohnert Park-based MuchMore Than Consulting to review proposals from potential insurers.

Press Democrat Staff Writer Amie Windsor contributed to this report.

You can reach Staff Writer Isabel Beer at 707-933-2734 or isabel.beer@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @IsabelSongBeer