STAFF REPORT

Louisville, Ky.-based Humana has been selected over seven other insurers to provide medical and dental coverage for Hays County’s 755 employees in 2014.

Under terms of a contract renewal accepted on Tuesday by the Hays County Commissioners Court, employees’ monthly premiums will increase 5 percent over current levels. For example, a single person with no spouse or children on the plan will pay $58.64 a month next year compared to $52.01 now; an employee enrolled in a family plan will pay $66.52, instead of $61.29.

Commissioners agreed to re-up with Humana on the recommendation of a committee led by Human Resources director DeeDee Baen. She told the court that Humana had originally proposed an 8.5 percent increase in specific premiums but agreed to accept a 5 percent hike.

Humana projects the 1,424 people who get health coverage through the county — 755 employees and 669 spouses and dependents — will file claims totaling more than $6.5 million next year, a decrease of about 4 percent over the current year.

The county pays a $246,523 fee to Humana to administer the program, or $27.21 per subscriber.