COUNTY HEALTH INSURANCE MAY CLIMB BY 25%

JACKSON - The costs of providing the same level of health insurance coverage to Cape Girardeau County employees will increase by at least 25 percent, County Clerk Rodney Miller said Monday after reviewing bids for the coverage.

The County Commission opened bids from eight companies bidding health and dental insurance coverage and four companies that bid the dental coverage only.

Four of the companies bidding both health and dental were providing full coverage comparable to what is being provided now, while the other four were offering partially insured plans.

Miller said the range of increased costs for what the county pays on employees is between 25 and 65 percent. The apparent best figure for dependent coverage, which employees pay themselves, is an increase of about 35 percent.

"We may really have to take a look at where we spend our dollars," said Miller. "We may have to change some of our benefit levels or increase the deductible to see if we can get a lower premium. It is just too early to tell right now."

Miller pointed out that Cape County is spending about $225,000 annually on health insurance coverage and the best bid for the same level of coverage would increase premiums about $60,000.

Miller and Auditor H. Weldon Macke were asked by Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep to review the bids and make a recommendation as soon as possible. Miller said they may have a recommendation later in the week and hope to take action as soon as possible.

Coverage under the present plan through Blue Cross-Blue Shield is scheduled to expire on June 1.

Huckstep said the commission was pleased with the number of bids it had received but was hoping the increase would be considerably less. He said the commission does not want to cut coverage but may have to do so to keep the plan affordable.