Purchasing and Insurance Committee Meeting - July 16th, 2026

The Williamson County Television Purchasing and Insurance Committee met on July 16, 2026, to discuss employee health benefit plans and related procurement matters. A citizen presented two health programs aimed at improving the county's self-funded health plan, including a pharmacy program and a high-claim management program. The committee reviewed detailed claims data comparing the county's current Open Access Plan (OAP) and Local Plus network options, highlighting cost differences and potential savings by encouraging employees to select the less expensive Local Plus HSA plan. Various premium adjustment scenarios were presented, with potential savings up to $287,000 by incentivizing enrollment in the Local Plus HSA plan. The committee also considered plan design changes, including deductible and out-of-pocket adjustments, and proposed increasing emergency room copays to steer employees toward urgent care, aiming to reduce overall claims costs. Discussions included the impact of recent changes to pharmacy benefits, retiree plan challenges with United Healthcare, and the timing of upcoming RFPs for health insurance carriers. The committee emphasized the need for clear employee communication to manage plan changes and cost-shifting concerns. A follow-up meeting was planned to finalize decisions before open enrollment, with attention to state compliance requirements and budget impacts.