Hamilton County Government
Challenge
Hamilton County needed to identify opportunities for financial savings while maintaining, and even improving, the services provided to employees. FirstPerson delivered and managed a strategic timeline to ensure new strategy consideration, successful implementation, and plan performance evaluation.
The team at FirstPerson met Hamilton County in 2011. At this point, the Affordable Care Act had been signed into law and was beginning to take shape, which alerted Hamilton County to the fact that they needed to work to tighten up plan administration. Hamilton County also identified several additional challenges, which included:
- Plan documents were not available for the previous four years
- Claim payment protocols were loosely managed
- Cost containment strategy was limited within the plan structure
- Priorities were mixed and not comprehensivelyplanned out
Solution
FirstPerson created an approach that considered the budget and provided the Board of Commissioners with ongoing analysis, while adhering to a strict timeline. The process developed focused on FirstPerson’s guidance around the requirements and desires set forth by Hamilton County. Regular communication and planning allowed for the new plan to include key elements such as:
- Launch of Employee Clinic administered by Riverview Hospital
- Updated claims processes and protocols through move to United Medical Resources
- Completed plan documents through a project management approach
- Implementation of multiple cost containment strategies including prescription drug controls, consumer driven health plans, and utilization of existing County resources
Results
Management of data and analytics gave Hamilton County projections of claim spend, employer-sponsored benefit offering costs, and trend and claims increases. Analysis included data measurement of network performance, clinic savings, prescription drug program performance, and high claimant details/case management notes. Results of this effort included:
- Mandatory on-site Open Enrollment presentations, with spouse inclusion
- Tailored messaging around Employee Clinic and pharmacy program benefits
- Continued development of customized programs and wellness education through the Employee Clinic
- Ongoing education and resources for those enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan
- Additional opportunities for life and disability coverage on a voluntary basis