Huron health insurance costs shrink in 2017

HURON — The cost for Huron's health insurance plan looks pretty robust for both government employees and city taxpayers helping cover this cost.Budget projections show the city spending $530,000 on a new health care plan for 2017. Residents must pick up $490,000 with employees collectively contributing $40,000.While the services and number of plans, 40, pretty much stayed the same from a year ago, the cost won't.The city's health insurance costs totaled a bit more than $900,000 in 2015 and an expected $1.07 million in 2016.Next year's plan won't reach those thresholds because of "certain contingencies," Huron city manager Andy White said.For instance, employees will experience more out-of-pocket costs, such as absorbing higher deductibles."We've changed from a self-funded to a fully funded plan," White said. "As a result of the claims experience and the market forces that affect the city, we were forced to reanalyze our health care program to try to mitigate risks in service delivery and in other areas."Each employee on the plan pays $65 per month. A $10 cost is tacked on for each spouse and dependent. For instance, a city employee who's married with two children must pay $95 a month.The plan is limited to just health insurance and prescription medications. Other services, such as vision and dental, are an additional cost to employees.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.