Franklin County employees to pay 47% more for health insurance after 6-1 vote

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - Franklin County employees will pay 47% more out of pocket for health insurance after the Fiscal Court voted 6-1 to raise premiums.

Depending on their plan, some employees could pay $104 to $250 more a month. The increase takes effect Jan. 1.

Employees push back on the change

Several county employees criticized the increase at the Fiscal Court’s work session meeting last Wednesday.

Sixth District Magistrate Eric Whisman was the only member of the court to vote against the premium changes during the Nov. 4 meeting.

“This decision is not just about a small fee increase. That’s not what this is. This is a whole change in a policy that has existed since the entirety of the Franklin County employees were hired,” Whisman said.

Whisman said the increases are enough to have county employees looking for other jobs.

“Timing couldn’t be worse. You know, the increases right now coming into the holiday season to increase at the beginning of the year. It’s going to hit some of our employees so much that they are, well, they’re already looking for other jobs, unfortunately,” Whisman said.

County cites insurer and costs

Judge Executive Michael Mueller said Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield was the only company willing to insure the county. He said the county can no longer afford to cover all the costs for single plans.

“At some point, we can’t keep absorbing these fees. You know, if we did, we’d have to, you know, cut back some of our services in other parts of the community, which I don’t think anybody wants to do,” Mueller said.

Mueller said prescription costs drove the rate increase.

“We have some employees that really are using some prescriptions that are very, very expensive. And that’s really what drove our rates up, unfortunately,” Mueller said.

Questions about the timeline

Whisman questioned why more employees weren’t involved before the Nov. 4 vote.

“Some of the options were explored without the court really being involved, unfortunately, and that’s a problem,” Whisman said.

Mueller said the changes were discussed at a public committee meeting the Thursday before the vote.

Human Resources Director Frances Short said Anthem did not provide the rates until Oct. 23.

“I know that was frustrating for people whose spouses are on the state plan to try and compare the two plans. And again, it was just timing. It wasn’t intentional. It’s just when we got the rates,” Short said.

Next steps

Mueller and Whisman agree legislative action is needed to lower rates.

“I think it’s incumbent upon legislators and elected officials like myself all the way to D.C. to start doing something about it to finally fix this healthcare crisis really that we have in this nation,” Whisman said.

Mueller said the county is developing a committee that includes employees from each department. The committee will try to find more effective solutions for next year.