Wellness plan is outlined

SANDPOINT — Bonner County’s officials were given a glimpse Tuesday of what an insurer-sponsored employee wellness program might look like.

Taylor Insurance, the county’s insurance broker, outlined a Blue Cross of Idaho program called Healthy Measures, which is meant to encourage healthier lifestyles and contain medical insurance costs.

The presentation was a prelude to ones being planned for department heads and county employees.

“Today’s four leading causes of death are preventable — smoking, poor nutrition, physical inactivity and high-risk alcohol use,” broker Dan Taylor said.

County commissioners have not yet decided to implement such a program, but are exploring their options.

Under Healthy Measures, all employees would start off with a $500 deductible and would have three months to opt in or out of the program. Those who decline to participate could see their deductible increase to a $1,000.

Healthy Measures participants would meet with their health care provider for a no-cost assessment covering tobacco use, blood pressure control, cholesterol levels, weight, alcohol use and blood sugar level.

Responses are ranked according to a points system. Those with healthy lifestyles or those who pledge to improve their health with a treatment plan would score high, while those with decidedly unhealthy lifestyles would score low.

Those who score low on all the measures except tobacco use could still qualify for the lower deductible. Unrepentant tobacco users, however, are basically guaranteed a higher deductible due to the way the point system is structured.

Commissioner Mike Nielsen is advancing the proposed wellness program to reduce claims and hold the line or reduce the county’s insurance rate. The move could also keep the county from increasing employees’ contributions to their insurance plans and maybe even sidestep layoffs.

Nielsen said medical insurance costs have risen 39 percent over the last four years and is expected to climb another 40 percent over the next four years.

“If we don’t start now, we’re just kicking the can farther down the road,” he said.

But the plan and the way it’s being introduced is drawing criticism from fellow elected officials, some of whom believed they would be exempt from the program. Taylor said elected officials would not be exempt, however.

Treasurer Cheryl Piehl said she has no problem with a wellness program, but takes issue with the approach.

“There was no buy-in by other elected officials, let alone department heads or employees,” she said.

Commission Chairman Lewie Rich and Assessor Jerry Clemons expressed doubt that the majority of employees’ claims are related to the six measures.

“Our claims don’t relate to that,” said Rich.

Representatives from Taylor, however, said the top 10 prescription medications used by county employees suggest otherwise.

Clemons, who described himself as a pot-bellied smoker, knocked the program as “unfair” and said the economic benefits to the county are being overstated.

Nielsen conceded the initial savings would not be a bonanza because the county’s premiums are based on the claims filed in the two previous years. However, the savings would increase over three to five years.

Clemons said the program undermines the concept of group insurance, where the risk is spread out evenly among participants.

“It’s everybody insuring everybody,” said Clemons. “We’re getting away from that with this and I don’t like it.”

Doubts were also expressed that the savings would offset the rising costs of health care.

Spouses of employees who rely on the county’s insurance would also have to opt in or out if a program is implemented. Children would be exempt, but Taylor said it could have a “snowball effect” if their parents are living healthier.

“If you’re bringing in potato chips, they’ll eat potato chips,” said Taylor. “If you’re bringing in green beans, skinless chicken and you cook that, you’re going to end up eating those types of things.”