Court opts to keep same insurance for next year

Local News

June 30, 2009

Melodie Phelps, News Editor

Monticello — County employees will keep their health insurance through Humana for the

next fiscal year, but they will have another option they can choose that

would have a lower deductible than the standard plan. Employees will have to

pay about $50 more a month for the other plan, if they opt to take that

coverage.

During a special meeting held on Wednesday, June 24, the Wayne County

Fiscal Court made the decision to stay with Humana, after spending several

weeks looking at different insurance options. Humana ended up being the only

company to provide a bid for the county. Two companies chose not to bid, and

a third company was unable to complete a bid because it could not acquire

all the necessary medical information in time.

The county will continue to pay for an individual plan for employees for

the same policy that they have had with Humana. It includes a $750

deductible. But employees could opt for a lower $250 deductible in a second

plan and pay the difference.

The county polled employees regarding health insurance options for the

next year, and Wayne County Judge-Executive Greg Rankin said there was some

employee interest in providing another insurance choice, with lower

deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. Rankin said all employees received a

letter with information about health insurance. They were given a blank

piece of paper to express what they would like to see in a health insurance

plan.

"There were several who said they would be willing to pay more for a

better plan," stated Rankin.

Overall, officials noted that the cost of health insurance premiums for

the county increased between four to five percent next year, which is

considerably less than the 21 percent hike that was originally discussed.