FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners voted Tuesday to add two more options for non-union employees to consider for health insurance coverage. The approval means employees electing to choose a lesser plan could save some money on coverage.

The traditional plan offered currently would continue to be offered but with lower premiums.

The county has 36 active employees eligible for the Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust. Eighteen of those are enrolled in the traditional plan for health insurance and basic life insurance coverage, field service representative Debbie Bridges said. There is also one retiree who is under 65 who will turning 65 within a year, and one who is receiving a COBRA subsidy, which is due to expire Nov. 1, she said. The former employee could elect to continue the COBRA insurance coverage without the subsidy through Feb. 1, 2011, she said.

It is the first time county government has offered different options for employees to consider under the health plan.

The county pays 100 percent of the employee’s health insurance premium, which includes basic life insurance, for those enrolled in the current coverage plan offered by the trust. That cost is currently $735.67 monthly, according to information provided. However, employees have to pay 100 percent of the difference for coverage costs for families, which ranges from nearly $500 to about $914 a month.

Under new options, the county would continue to pay employee-only premiums and employees would still be responsible for family coverage. Both parties would see decreases in the monthly premiums paid out under all options offered.

The county’s savings from July to December would be $9,534.24 or $1,589.04 a month, Bridges said.

She plans to come back to give a presentation to employees so that they may consider the options available.

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