County okays couples insurance

Married couples working for Whitman County can now combine health insurance benefits to cover their family on the same plan.

Each employee receives $653 a month from the county for insurance coverage. County commissioners voted unanimously Monday to allow that contribution to be used on a single plan that covers both employees, but classifies one as a dependent.

Partch said sharp increases in insurance premiums for county employees this year made the decision easier.

"Maybe this gives you enough leverage and enough leeway that you can (insure children)," he told Chad and Tina Kincheloe, a married couple who both work in the public works department.

Insurance plan costs for 2011 will range from $678 to $1,827 per month. Those rates represent monthly increases of $95 to $1,128 over this year’s rates.

Couples working for the county had previously been allowed to enroll in a joint plan, but under that option the county provided $643 for the one joint plan.

None of the married couples working for the county had used that option.

"This costs us nothing, and (could benefit) the eight or so couples we have working for the county," said Commissioner Greg Partch.

Human Resource Director Kelli Campbell said the spouse that would be a dependent under the plan would still have to use about $70 per month from their medical benefit for dental, vision and life insurance.

The remainder, $1,236 for the two employees, can now be used to pay for the family’s medical plan.

An insurance decision still pending before the commissioners is a proposal allowing employees to use their medical benefits to purchase insurance outside of the county’s providers.

Commissioner Michael Largent said that policy would allow employees the option of enrolling under a lower cost plan that a spouse, who is not working for the county, may have under their employer.