2008 County Winner

Manitowoc County - Employee Health Insurance Plan

In the past, Manitowoc County provided its employees with a traditional PPO health insurance plan.  Premium costs had increased 227 percent between 1997 and 2007, and by 70 percent between 2002 and 2007.  These rising costs threatened the county's ability to continue providing necessary services to its citizens.

Instead of continuing to pass along costs to taxpayers, Manitowoc County completely changed the way its health insurance plan is structured.  It adopted a qualified, high-deductible plan paired with a health savings account.  The county pays 100 percent of the premium and fully funds each employees' deductible resulting in significant savings to the county and to each employee. As of August 1, 2007, all seven of Manitowoc's labor unions  agreed to the change in health insurance and all labor agreements are settled through 2010 which is unprecedented in the county.
The new approach has changed Manitowoc's health insurance program from being an argument about who pays what percent of health care premiums to an on-going dialogue about health promotion, wellness and consumer choice.  It's made county employees healthier-- and wealtier, and while saving significant costs to taxpayers.