Ray County commissioners recently continued discussions over county employee health insurance, reviewing competing proposals from Excel Health Plans and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Representatives from Health Insurance Cooperative Agency Inc. (HIC) presented detailed rate comparisons and outlined how changes in thirdparty administrators could improve billing and service consistency in the coming year. HIC Benefits Advisor John Hickman distributed rate sheets and benefit comparisons for both providers, noting while Blue Cross Blue Shield’s base premiums came in lower, certain out-of-pocket costs could rise for employees. “Blue Cross came in at $813.94 on the $2,000 deductible plan, while Excel was $852.25,” said Hickman. “That’s a better deal on paper, but with Blue Cross, members would likely spend the difference on prescriptions and lab work since those costs go toward the deductible instead of being covered at 100%.” Hickman noted Blue Cross plans would offer standardized copays,…