Title
Human Resources Department recommending the Board take the following actions regarding Ancillary Employee Benefit Programs for the 2026 Plan Year:
1) Authorize the Director of Human Resources, or Assistant Director of Human Resources, to execute administrative health and benefit program plan documents and payments necessary for the renewal and administration of Concern EAP services that otherwise fall under the County’s existing executed master agreement with PRISM Health on behalf of the County of El Dorado, effective upon adoption; and
2) Approve the updated 2026 COBRA health plan rate card based on the change of EAP cost, effective July 1, 2026.
FUNDING: Countywide cost, shared between the County Departments (General Fund and Non-General Fund).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On February 15, 2011, with Legistar file 11-0121, the Board of Supervisors entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CSAC-EIA (EIA) to join the CSAC-EIA Health program (EIA Health). In 2020, EIA changed its name to PRISM. PRISM is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) comprised of California counties, cities, and public agencies organized to jointly develop and fund insurance and related programs with the most favorable terms and costs. As a member of this organization, the County has controlled costs of the health plans offered through PRISM Health.
Since July 2023, PRISM has provided Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services through Concern; the “traditional EAP” through Concern has an initial three-year term/rate guarantee period ending June 30, 2026. The separate “ConcernPlus EAP” gives first responders generally the same benefits otherwise provided through our traditional 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.
The EAPs have monthly Per Enrolled Participating Member (PEPM) rates, in addition to Critical Incident Stress Debrief (CISD) hours that can be purchased on a fee-for-service (FFS) basis as needed. 2026 EAP renewal PEPM and FFS rates are as follows:
EAP Concern PRISM $3.67 PEPM (3.1% increase)*
EAP ConcernPlus PRISM $14.35 PEPM (No change) **
FFS $500/HR (11.1% increase)
* The traditional Concern EAP would renew July 1, 2026, for a new three-year rate guarantee period through June 30, 2029.
**ConcernPlus PEPM rates, previously adopted by the Board on September 16, 2025 (Legistar file 25-1537), are valid through the current plan year ending December 31, 2026.
Next Steps
Upon Board approval, the Director of Human Resources, or Assistant Director of Human Resources, will sign health and other ancillary benefit program contract renewals for EAP services that otherwise fall under existing executed master agreements, and publish the updated 2026 COBRA rate card.
ALTERNATIVES
For EAP plans, Members must notify PRISM of their intent to withdraw 60 days prior to the close of the plan year in which they are terming. The Board could choose to override the recommendation to renew the 2026 Employee Benefits Insurance Program renewal as recommended; however, if the Board chooses to not approve the recommendations as listed herein, the County would not meet the deadlines required by the vendors for the plan year. As this would result in loss of these ancillary benefits for 2026, and as these benefits are provided pursuant to the terms of negotiated Memoranda of Understanding with represented bargaining units, non-renewal (withdrawal) is not a recommended alternative.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
02/15/2011 Legistar file 11-0121: County joined CSAC-EIA Health program (now PRISM Health).
06/27/2023 Legistar file 23-1094: Board first adopted rates associated with the new EAP provider, Concern.
08/29/2023 Legistar file 23-1481: Board authorized HR Director to execute an updated PRISMHealth Program MOU.
04/09/2024 Legistar file 24-0502: Board adopted the new ConcernPlus EAP program for first responders.
09/16/2025 Legistar file 25-1537: Board most recently adopted 2026 health and ancillary benefit renewals.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The approximate annual cost increase to the County for FY 2026-27 would be $1,662 for the PEPM for non-first responder designated positions. Additional costs based on CISD hours billed as FFS would vary depending on critical incidents occurring within the year.
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