A-18)
HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
Consider recommendations regarding 2025 Employee Benefits Insurance Program Renewals, as
follows: (4/5 Vote Required)
a) Approve the following 2025 employee benefit insurance program renewals:
i) Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management (PRISM) Health Blue Shield Health Plans -
The renewal of the PRISM Blue Shield Tandem Narrow Network, Blue Shield Exclusive Provider
Organization (EPO) High, Blue Shield EPO Low, Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), and
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) plans for a twelve-month period, at the existing benefit levels
with a 4.29% increase in premiums, effective January 1, 2025, for all active employees and
retirees. All Blue Shield plans include the PRISM Navigator PPO - Accolade at a zero cost for all
covered employees and their dependents;
ii) Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Health Plans - The renewal of the
active employees’ and early retirees’ Kaiser Permanente High and Low HMO plans for a
twelve-month period at the existing benefit levels, with a 4.29% increase in premiums, effective
January 1, 2025, and for all Medicare-eligible retirees, with an average 7.71% increase in
premiums for the Senior Advantage Plans, at the existing benefit levels;
iii) Retiree United Healthcare Medicare Risk HMO Health Plans - The renewal of the United
Healthcare Medicare Risk HMO Health Plans for County of Santa Barbara retirees, at existing
benefit levels, and a 10.8% increase of premium, for a twelve-month period, effective January 1,
2025;
iv) County Self-Funded Delta Dental PPO Plan - The continuation of the existing program benefits
with an increase of 1.1% in premiums for both active employees and retirees. Rates are for a
twelve-month period, effective January 1, 2025;
v) DeltaCare USA - Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) Plan - The renewal of the
existing DeltaCare USA DHMO plan, continues the existing benefit levels for active employees and
retirees, with a rate pass for two more years. The Delta Dental DHMO is in a rate guarantee until
January 1, 2027;
vi) Vision Service Provider - Choice Vision Plan - The renewal of the existing Vision Service
Provider Plan, for active employees and retirees, no change in rate due to a rate guarantee until
January 1, 2027. Rates are for a twelve-month period, effective January 1, 2025; and
vii) Empathia Life Matters - Employee Assistance Program - The renewal of the Life Matters
Employee Assistance Program with a rate pass for one year for all covered active employees and
retirees, for a twelve-month period effective January 1, 2025;
b) Delegate to the Human Resources Director or designee the authority to execute any necessary
third-party administrative agreements and documents required to manage plans listed in