City will get sharp increase in employee health insurance cost

scottw@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- The city will renew its self-funded health insurance plan for employees despite a sharp increase in the premiums.

The Sikeston City Council accepted the renewal offer from HealthSCOPE Benefits during their regular monthly briefing session Monday.

The increase in premium "was almost 28 percent," said Karen Bailey, human resources director. "That is a significant impact on our budget."

With the city paying 80 percent of the employee's premium, it works out to an increase of about $320,000 per year for the city, according to Bailey.

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