The Cherokee County Commission has renewed its health and dental insurance coverage with Blue Cross/Blue Shield at a 25 percent increase.

After mulling several options, the commission, in a special-called meeting, approved a policy which will raise the co-pay for each employee from $15 to $25 for doctors’ visits and from $25 to $50 for emergency room visits. By making these changes in the coverage, the increase in the family plan cost to the employee will rise by $50 per month and the county will be paying an extra $53 per month for each employee.

Commissioners expressed their desire to purchase a policy which will impact county employees the least. Jerry Baker, local insurance agent who was present at the meeting, stated that skyrocketing health care costs are universal these days.

The commission, which has had policies in the past that did not increase for several years, remembers few, if any decreases.

Baker also suggested that commissioners could assist the insurance companies in managing costs, which could result in lower premiums in the future or at least prevent an increase in policy cost. For example, the commission could encourage employees to make emergency room visits when necessary. In non-emergency cases, however, they should first visit their personal physicians whenever possible.

The total proposed increase for the group was going to be $66,000 per year but with the changes, the extra cost will be reduced to about $58,000 per year. The county pays the insurance for the employees and each employee, who wants the coverage for their family, pays the family coverage amount. About 25 percent of the county employees carry the family coverage, according to the commission.

In other business, the commission met with Roger Hall, Cherokee County engineer, and voted to award a bid on four culverts to Christopher Plumbing and Electric for $833,300, which will be paid out of federal and state funds. The project includes three culverts on County Road 47 and one culvert on County Road 39