CLEARFIELD – A benefits consultant has been hired by the Clearfield County Commissioners to review its current employee healthcare needs as well as its received proposals from a half-dozen providers.
In September, an arbitrator ruled that the commissioners had to coordinate the request, receipt and evaluation of proposals for alternative healthcare, which they have done. Yesterday, the commissioners selected Banyan Consulting LLC of Mechanicsburg and Pittsburgh to conduct its healthcare coverage review.
According to Commissioner Mark B. McCracken, the county has already received healthcare proposals from Highmark, Aetna, United Healthcare, Health America and UPMC. However, a healthcare broker contacted the county and notified them that a proposal was en route from Geisinger.
McCracken suggested the commissioners send letters to each of the county’s bargaining units, notifying them that they have an employee healthcare consultant. He said the letter should also request notification from each as to who will be representing them on the healthcare review committee.
Commissioner Chairperson Joan Robinson-McMillen said the county is currently reviewing the healthcare coverage with all bargaining units, except for the correctional officers at the Clearfield County Jail. She said their contract didn’t expire this year.
“It’s going to be a good faith review,” Commissioner John A. Sobel said, estimating it would take a couple of months to complete. McCracken said they’ve discussed possibilities of maintaining the committee beyond this so that employees have involvement and understanding.
Robinson-McMillen said the county currently has 212 employees, including the correctional officers at the jail, who have healthcare. She couldn’t say with certainty what the figure was for only the bargaining units being affected at the present time.
