County changes health insurance provider

Whitman County commissioners Monday approved the Washington Counties Insurance Fund health insurance plan for county employees. The plan was recommended by Kelly Campbell, human resources director for the county.

“It’s made by counties, for counties,” she said.

Campbell said although the other insurance program the board was considering offered lower out-of-pocket fees for employees, it also provided a lower level of service.

She added that the commissioners would also be members of the insurance pool’s board.

Campbell said most county employees can’t enroll spouses under the county’s present insurance program which is provided by Signa.

“We need to find the money to cover that cost,” Campbell advised the commissioners.

“In a shrinking budget,” commission Chair Michael Largent responded.

“I understand we can’t take a poll in here,” Largent said to the nearly 15 county employees who had gathered for the Monday morning discussion. “I’m interested in any questions you may have. We did the best we could using our consultants.”

“Speaking for the prosecutor’s office, we can’t afford the family health insurance coverage,” County Prosecutor Denis Tracy said.

“Over the past eight months, there’s been a 50 percent turnover due in part to the lack of affordable health care insurance,” he said.

Largent agreed.

“I can’t afford to cover my family with the county plan,” Largent said. “I know there’s a lot of frustration.”

WCIF for most county employees offers pooled insurance that provides better coverage and less deductibles than those offered by other companies.

WCIF is a multi-employer, not-for-profit trust fund formed in 1958 by the Washington State Association of Counties to pool the cost of employee benefits for local governments throughout the state. The company covers more than 100 participating employers and 30,000 enrollees.

After a couple more questions, the board unanimously approved WCIF.

Monday’s decision came while the county is in the process of negotiating with employees who are union members.

Campbell said she doesn’t know what the unions will do.

“There’s a group who wants WCIF and a group who doesn’t,” she said.