At Monday’s Macomb City Council Committee of the Whole meeting, aldermen met with executives of Gallagher Benefits Services. City Finance Director Melissa Worley said the Galesburg-based company was selected from a field of nine qualified applicants after interviews with five finalists June 10 and June 15.
“This company has strong municipal experience and a proactive approach to cost containment and claims analysis,” Worley said.
Casey Kimberling of Gallagher told aldermen, “We have a lot of resources to share with the city.” He said the company serves 75 communities in the region, including Galesburg and Monmouth. The broker’s mission is to look at costs to the city, not create a new health insurance plan. Gallagher executive Chris Byers said his firm would look at compliance regulations and the setting of predictable budgets. He said goals include improved pharmacy optimizations and the mitigation of health care costs.
Another executive, Lisa Gould, said Gallagher would support Worley’s office by providing benefit guides and creating customized videos. She said newsletters would be sent out, and there would also be an emphasis on the use of telehealth to reduce claims costs.
City Administrator Scott Coker said the Macomb City Council will be asked next week to consider hiring Gallagher. Following council approval, the company will meet with the health plan’s third-party administrator, Tokio Marine. Kimberling said another priority would be an analysis of Macomb’s existing claims data.
In other business, aldermen discussed the designated downtown parking areas for electric vehicle charging stations. Coker said identifying signs and pavement markings have been ordered.
