Commissioners sign off on health insurance, staying with longtime broker and same carrier from last year

YORK – After reviewing insurance options from Cornerstone Insurance and the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO), the York County Commissioners have agreed to stay with Cornerstone Insurance as the county’s broker and to stay with the carrier from last year, Medica.

​Cornerstone Insurance has been the county’s insurance broker for about a decade. This year, they also spoke with NACO, which is the health insurance broker for more than 50 counties.
NACO insurance representatives talked about the advantages of being in such a large pool and noted the rates they were presenting would be honored through 2027.
Ben Royal from Cornerstone noted, “we have been working with the county for 10 years, we’ve built relationships with your staff and there are advantages with those relationships. The numbers are important but we also need to talk about the services we have provided over the years. And we are local. If you renew with Medica, the process will be very simple.
“This is a big decision,” said York County Commissioner Chairman Randy Obermier, as they reviewed many different options. “We budgeted $1.3 million for this, for employee health insurance, so I want to make sure we have a chance to review all the different options.”
The commissioners met with the brokers and then took a recess so all the board members could take some time to review figures provided to them.
“I personally am leaning toward Medica and the service we have locally,” Obermier said. “I also like the savings for employees.”
“Both NACO and Cornerstone make this hard,” said Commissioner LeRoy Ott. “What the county is paying for health insurance, regardless, is a huge number.” He added, however, how he did like the Blue Cross/Blue Shield participation with the NACO pool.
“Looking at the best opportunity to save money, the 18-month rate lock is attractive (with NACO) but this is about taking care of our employees,” Commissioner Andy Bowman said.
“The protection of the pool, the risk of increase in the future being less is attractive through NACO. The lower increase from Medica helps swallow that pill, however,” said Commissioner Daniel Grotz. “And we can re-bid everyone next year. Last year, no insurance companies wanted us (due to a high increase in claims) and this year, it’s nice to have options.”
“There are advantages to both,” said Commissioner Joe Burgess. “I might be leaning toward Medica as well.”
It was noted if the county changed away from Medica, all the other benefits would have to change also, such as for life, dental, sight, etc.
Cornerstone Insurance representatives talked about the advantages of the digital services they offer for employees as well as the county’s HR department.
“This year, we are attractive to different companies and we can’t predict the future,” Grotz said. “We could have a bad year and see our costs go through the roof. Or we could have a good year and see decreases in costs.”
“It’s just part of the process,” Obermier said.
“In talking with the employees who are here and Cheryl (Weisheit, who works with the employees in payroll, benefits, etc.), there haven’t been major complaints with Medica. It seems like people aren’t unhappy with them, which is a plus,” Grotz said.
All the commissioners voted to stay with Cornerstone Insurance and Medica. They also noted the rates paid by the employees will remain the same as they were this past year.