Starke County Commissioners Discuss Insurance Increase

The Starke County Commissioners discussed briefly the commissioners’ budget that is currently being prepared. Commission President Kathy Norem says there are some expected increases.

“The thing that we did take a look at Monday night, and we have difficulty predicting because we don’t get those numbers until five or six months after the budget process, is the employee health insurance. I’m aware that we’ve had some large claims this year so we elected to put in for a 15 percent increase in that,” Norem said.

Although the budget increase is 15 percent, Norem said the county’s First Source Insurance representative thinks it may be lower.

Insurance for Starke County Employees to go up Next Year

Starke County Commissioners: Kathy Norem, Dan Bridegroom and Jennifer Davis

Miguel Salazar, from First Source Insurance, appeared before the Starke County Commissioners this week to bring them up-to-date on health insurance costs for 2012. Even though premiums are going up, Salazar pointed out how employees can reduce their co-pay by accumulating wellness points.

Salazar pointed out the importance for the employees maximizing their total points to reduce their premium.

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