Mower County saves taxpayer dollars with new health care plan

AUSTIN, Minn. (KTTC) – Mower County has decided to change its employee healthcare plans for 2025.

According to the county's human resources department, taxpayers could save up to $900,000 or roughly 8% compared to the renewal of its current health care provider.

County Human Resources Director Kristina Kohn mentioned this will benefit employees and taxpayers through fixed subscription rates and medical providers that charge less.

"I get to choose where I go, and I don't have to then be afraid to go to the doctor for fear of the bill that's going to come later," Kohn said. "[HELPcare Clinic] is a membership-based program that is already built into our premium. Every service they do will cost our employees zero dollars."

Mower County Sheriff's Office Captain T.J. Lynch said his family of five is grateful to have a less expensive health care provider with practically all the same benefits.

"My wife and I have actually spoke about this plan quite a bit. We're super excited," Lynch said. "We've got four small kids, and we're really excited about the proactive care."

Lynch stated he is a member of the health care committee in Mower County, which brought HELPcare Clinic 's proposal to the board's attention.

Lee Aase is an Administrator for HELPcare Clinic and was born and raised in the Mower County area.

Aase previously worked for Mayo Clinic and is a founder of the HELPcare Clinic. He said he wanted to benefit all of Mower County after opening the clinic in 2022.

"It reduces the cost of the premiums because people are getting lower-cost care and more efficient care at HELPcare Clinic," Aase said.

Kohn mentioned some employees may have feared this switch might mean they won't be able to see their current doctor in the future.

"Want to keep your doctor? Keep your doctor but maybe have HELPcare Clinic draw your labs instead of paying that $1200 lab bill. They will run it for you for zero dollars and send it back to your doctor," Kohn stated.

Instead of working with a larger healthcare provider, both Kohn and Aase said this type of local health care switch is making its way into offices and businesses around the country.