HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council Workshop - Minutes - 03/19/2013 KENT
"'"_"'""°" Kent City Council Workshop
March 19, 2013
The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Council President Higgins.
Councilmembers present: Higgins, Thomas, Boyce, Ralph, and Albertson.
Healthcare. Becky Fowler, Benefits Manager, presented a health care presentation
and handed out an outline. She gave an overview of lifestyle choices, chronic
conditions, and health care reform. She noted that the Health Care Committee asked
that surveys be done with other jurisdictions, regarding their best practices, plan
design, cost containment features, and premiums. She said they met with King
County and reviewed their healthy incentives program and King County was very
informative and helpful. She noted that all cities that are self-insured are basically
doing the same thing except King County. Ms. Fowler gave an overview of King
County's implementation and development of their Healthy Incentive Program.
Council President Higgins shared his personal knowledge of King County's Program.
Councilmembers discussed the healthcare costs and joining other insurance
programs.
Ms. Fowler gave an overview of Kent's wellness program and that an RFQ was done
looking for consultants to reimplement a wellness program and selected Aduro. She
stated that this will give employees a tool to help change their lifestyles and the
program will probably be implemented in June. She noted that they will be working to
develop a plan design, a wellness web site, challenges for our employees, have
incentives, and well-being assessments, but communicated that the goal is to save
money in the long run.
Councilmembers discussed participation and challenges for employees.
Ms. Fowler, discussed the current health plans and the percentage of participation in
each plan. She went on to discuss the fund balance and costs incurred for Aduro and
the program.
Councilmembers asked about the costs for Aduro and the other companies who
responded.
Ms. Fowler went on to discuss a slide she presented with the CPI increases and
medical increases the plan has incurred over the last 15 years.
Ms. Fowler gave an overview of the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act which is
aimed at holding insurance companies more responsible. This reform will give people
more health care choices and the opportunity to purchase health insurance at a
reasonable cost. She noted that the City has eliminated lifetime limits, no cost sharing
on preventive coverages, covering dependents up to age 26, the emergency services
covering network, and provided a summary of benefits to all enrollees.
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Kent City Council Workshop Minutes March 19, 2013
Ms. Fowler noted that they have been working with the Parks and Public Works
departments on staffing requirements. Specifically, with the eight-month temporary
employee who exceeds 29 hours per week because the City is required to provide
minimum health care coverage. Chief Administrative Officer Hodgson noted that they
will come back to Council with recommendations regarding healthcare costs, but it will
be a challenge. Ms. Fowler replied to Council President Higgins and said if the City has
increases to its healthcare plan at a rate of 5% every year, in 2018, the Cadillac tax
will be about half a million dollars per year in fines. She mentioned to avoid this we
need to work on our wellness program and to keep our employees healthy.
The meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
z Voo
ItOvRonald F. MMC
City Clerk
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