The Jim Wells County Commissioners Court on Oct. 10 approved renewal of the county’s 2026 group health plan, choosing Option 1 after hearing a presentation from the county’s benefits consultant.

Lacey Jones of the Texas Association of Counties Health & Employee Benefits Pool told the court the county’s medical renewal was 4.2% for plan year beginning Jan. 1, 2026; the dental renewal was 12%. Jones said the pool’s needed amount was 6% for medical and 9.9% for dental, and that Jim Wells County’s renewal was below the pool medical average. She reported the county’s 12‑month loss ratio for medical and prescription claims at 92% and a 36‑month loss ratio of 99%.

Jones gave plan specifics and alternate options. The county’s recommended Option 1 (Plan 1,300 NGS) keeps co‑pays and out‑of‑pocket structure largely unchanged while increasing the individual in‑network deductible from $1,000 to $1,500 and keeping prescription, emergency room and most co‑pays intact. Jones said vision and life insurance rates will not change. She also reported demographic and claim data the pool uses to set renewals: an average of 206 employees (260 covered members), average age 49.5, and multiple high‑cost claimants — five claimants with more than $100,000 in claims over the prior 12 months and 56 claimants with more than $10,000.

Commissioners discussed tradeoffs between slightly higher deductibles for some employees and lower premium growth for the county; one commissioner noted that many employees receive substantial county housing stipends and said the proposed increase was modest in that context. A motion to adopt Option 1 for the 2026 plan year passed by voice vote.

What this decision means: Under Option 1 the county will implement the renewal effective Jan. 1, 2026. Employees who use significant medical services may face higher out‑of‑pocket costs if they meet the higher deductible, but most routine co‑pays and prescription costs remain the same. The county included the renewal assumption in its recently adopted budget, staff said.