DATE: October 6, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Hollis Magill, Director of Human Resources
SUBJECT: County Health Premiums for Plan Year 2027
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve the biweekly premiums for active employees and dependents for Plan Year 2027, effective December 21, 2026 (Exhibit A).
Approve the monthly premiums for retirees and dependents for Plan Year 2027, effective January 1, 2027 (Exhibit B).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will approve the health insurance biweekly and monthly rates for Plan Year 2027 for employees, retirees, and their dependents. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose to consider benefit modifications that would affect premiums, copayments or deductibles. However, benefit modifications for plans through the San Joaquin Valley Insurance Authority (SJVIA) would require approval by the SJVIA Board.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION/SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT:
On March 17, 2026, your Board made a finding that it was in the best interest of the County to waive the competitive bidding process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 under the “unusual or extraordinary circumstances” exception for the solicitation of health benefits plan proposals for Plan Year 2027. This allowed the County the flexibility needed to negotiate directly with health insurance providers and maximize cost effective alternatives that best meet the needs of the County, its active employees, retirees, and their dependents.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Appropriations and related projected revenue of $136 million has been included in the Risk Management Org 8925 FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget for pass through health insurance premiums of County employees, retirees, and dependent coverage. Of this amount, approximately $129 million is for active employees and $7 million is for retirees.
In accordance with Budget Instructions, County Departments included appropriations in their FY 2026-27 Adopted Budgets for the County por...
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