Employee Health Benefit Brokerage and Consulting Services

The Vendor is required to provide employee health benefits consulting services to the County.
- The County employs approximately 250 full-time employees and 10 retirees for whom the County provides insurance benefits.
- Services include:
• Continuously conducting a comprehensive review and analysis of the county's benefits to seek cost control measures and maximize efficiencies in providing these benefits
• Competitive marketing and placement of our plans
• Being a resource during collective bargaining sessions
• Carrier negotiations to reduce insurance costs
• Administering employee benefits
• Coordinating and participating in open enrollment
• Administering and coordinating wellness initiatives
• Providing support to our employees and retirees regarding their insurance plans
• Seeking innovative programs and solutions with the county and as to how the county provides healthcare insurance to its employees and retirees
• Healthcare reform compliance
• Providing monthly and quarterly comprehensive reports.
• Advising and assisting the county in developing and implementing programs that will result in cost savings to the county.
• Assisting the county in procuring the best product, best carrier/administrator, most advantageous funding arrangement at the most cost-effective price.
• Bringing new products and new ideas to the county for consideration.
• Keeping the county informed of various changes in the market that will affect the county.
• Advising and assisting the county in management of employee benefits.
- Benefit Consulting
• Analyze claims experience and utilization data to develop an annual report and to recommend changes in benefit design.
• Review internal policies regarding waiting periods, employee contributions, premium waivers, duplicate coverage, retiree contributions, employee collective bargaining agreements and other personnel policies.
• Provide advice and assistance in collective bargaining. Upon request by the County, attend and participate in informational meetings with County and union representatives and present benefit options.
• Oversee the design and implementation of new or restructured benefit programs.
• Audit carrier performance and assist in the resolution of claim problems and disputes.
• Inform the County of changes in federal and state legislation affecting employee benefits and develop strategies to implement regulations.
- Benefits Management and Administration
• Upon request from the County, serve as a liaison to the County's insurance carriers for issues affecting any changes in benefits and benefit administration.
• Reconciliation and audit of, weekly, monthly claims received from carriers.
• Audit shall consist of a formal written monthly report identifying any discrepancies with respect to utilization and claims paid.
• Assist in the presentation and coordinating of annual open enrollment meetings to inform employees of benefit choices.
• Prepare communication material for open enrollment, retirees and new employees to use in their selection of a plan to suit their needs.
- Data Processing
• Upon request, provide for the electronic transfer of data between the County and Consultant and between Consultant and insurance carriers.
• Provide computer generated reports on a regular monthly basis for the County to use for a variety of management purposes including, but not limited to:
1. Budgetary and expense forecasting
2. Financial accounting
3. Meeting state and federal reporting requirements
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: July 9, 2025