Will County Gazette

The City of Joliet has announced a new partnership with Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA) Rx Solutions to increase oversight of its employee health insurance program, specifically targeting prescription drug rebates. The move aims to ensure the city receives all rebates owed by pharmaceutical companies, which could result in significant additional savings.

As a self-funded health insurance employer, Joliet receives rebates from pharmaceutical companies for prescriptions covered under its employee health plan. These rebates are managed by Blue Cross Blue Shield and are projected to total approximately $4 million in 2026.

MMA will conduct an audit of the city’s prescription rebate program to verify that all eligible rebates are being collected. The firm will only be paid its $57,500 fee if the audit uncovers additional rebates that exceed that amount. Based on MMA’s experience with similar clients, the city could recover between $500,000 and $850,000 in additional funds.

“This is a smart and proactive step to make sure Joliet taxpayers get the best possible value from our employee health program,” said Finance Director Kevin Sing. “By auditing our prescription rebate process, we can confirm we’re receiving every dollar we’re entitled to and potentially bring in significant new revenue to help offset the cost of our health insurance benefits.”

City Manager Beth Beatty added, “Our goal is to always make the most of every resource entrusted to us. This initiative is another example of how the city is taking a proactive approach to managing costs, finding efficiencies, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability for Joliet.”

The proposal will be reviewed by the City’s Finance Committee at its meeting on Tuesday, October 21 at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. A vote by the full City Council is scheduled for November 4.

Joliet is located in Will and Kendall counties in Illinois and is the county seat of Will County. According to the 2020 census, it is the third largest city in Illinois with a population of 150,362. More information about the city can be found at https://www.joliet.gov.