Title
Human Resources Department recommending the Board take the following actions regarding Health Plan Programs and Ancillary Employee Benefit Programs for the 2027 Plan Year:
1) Approve the proposed updated 2027 COBRA health plan rate card (Attachment A) based on the change of the EAP ConcernPlus cost, effective January 1, 2027;
2) Authorize the Director of Human Resources, or Assistant Director of Human Resources, to execute administrative health and benefit program plan renewals for services that otherwise fall under existing executed master agreements; and
3) Grant Human Resources the authority to correct any minor clerical errors or adjustments, if necessary, to the approved health plan rate cards for the 2027 health benefits plan year, as needed.
FUNDING: Countywide cost, shared between the County Departments (General Fund and Non-General Fund) and employees.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On August 25, 2026 (Legistar file 26-1405), the Board of Supervisors adopted the 2027 health plan rate cards for active employees, retirees, outside agencies whose benefits are administered through the County, and Operating Engineers, Local 3 (OE3)’s Health Trust plans for their members in our Trades and Crafts (TC) and Corrections (CR) bargaining units.
As a summary from the August 25, 2026, Board item, for the 2027 plan year, health and retiree-relevant ancillary benefit programs are scheduled to renew as follows:
Blue Shield PPO 200 Standard 10.7% increase
Blue Shield PPO 1750 ABHP Low 10.7% increase
Blue Shield PPO 2000 ABHP High (ACA Compliant Plan) 10.7% increase
Kaiser HMO Standard 10.7% increase
Kaiser 1750 ABHP 10.7% increase
Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage (KPSA) No Change
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) 16% increase
Delta Dental 9.1% increase
VSP Vision (All EE’s Except Sheriff) 6.3% increase
VSP Vision (Sheriff Only) 6.4% increase
Lincoln Financial Basic Life No Change
Lincoln Financial Long-Term Disability No Change
In addition to the above, the County provides two Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). ConcernPlus gives first responders generally the same benefits otherwise provided through our Concern EAP to eligible employees, including emotional health and substance abuse, parenting and childcare needs, financial coaching, legal consultation, and eldercare resources, while providing law enforcement first responders with specific culturally competent short-term counselors and specialized services designed around the unique needs of first responders. The designation of eligible “first responders” is determined on a department-by-department basis by their respective appointing authorities. Benefit-eligible employees not designated as first responders will continue to access our traditional EAP. ConcernPlus is structured as a pooled program, with utilization evaluated across agencies with similar benefit designs and employee size tiers rather than rating each organization solely on its own experience. The renewal increase is intended to maintain the financial sustainability of the Program while continuing to fully fund access to specialized first responder care.
The EAPs have monthly Per Enrolled Participating Member (PEPM) rates, in addition to Critical Incident Response and Training Hours that can be purchased at $500/hour on a fee-for-service (FFS) basis as needed. The County now has the option to renew the ConcernPlus program through the term ending December 31, 2027. 2027 ConcernPlus EAP renewal PEPM rates are as follows:
EAP Concern PRISM $3.67 PEPM (No change)*
EAP ConcernPlus PRISM $15.97 PEPM (11.3% increase)
FFS $500/Hour (No change)
*The County’s traditional EAP provider, Concern EAP rates, previously adopted by the board on May 19, 2026 (Legistar file 26-0763), are valid through June 30, 2029.
The EAP is an employer provided benefit for benefit-eligible County employees. When an employee terminates coverage (i.e., due to change in employment status or benefit eligibility), they and any covered dependents have the ability to enroll in a continuation of coverage (COBRA) at their own cost, including the EAP. As the COBRA rate card is the only rate card that reflects the EAP cost, it is recommended that the Board approves the updated 2027 COBRA health plan rate card.
ALTERNATIVES
If ConcernPlus is not renewed, the program offering will end with a final date of coverage December 31, 2026. Effective January 1, 2027, benefit eligible “first responder” employees will transition back to the County’s traditional EAP through Concern EAP.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
02/15/2011 Legistar file 11-0121: County joined CSAC-EIA Health program (now PRISM Health)
07/21/2020 Legistar file 20-0949: BCC approved as County’s third-party benefits administrator under PRISM Health
04/09/2024 Legistar file 24-0502: Board adopted the new ConcernPlus EAP program for first responders.
05/19/2026 Legistar file 26-0763: Board approved updated 2026 COBRA health plan rate
08/25/2026 Legistar file 26-1405: Board adopted 2027 health plan rate cards for active employees, retirees and outside agencies, and authorized Human Resources to execute administrative health and benefit program plan renewals for the 2027 health benefits plan year.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The total percentage change from the 2026 ConcernPlus EAP rate is 11.3%. The overall increase in annual premium from last year is approximately $9,914. It is anticipated that departments with staff that are eligible for ConcernPlus EAP can cover the six months of increased costs with Salaries and Benefits savings from vacancies.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Workforce Excellence
Priority: Focus on Employee Development & Well-Being
Action Item: Continue to implement wellness initiatives and activities for El Dorado County employees.
CONTACT
Joseph Carruesco, Director of Human Resources