[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6220506,"mediaKeyId","3617181-a06fa8551deb08446db5837572bc24cc","parentId",3617181,"title","Committee accepts April financial, OSHA and wellness reports showing a deficit in Fund 264","audioSeconds",166,"startMs",60000,"endMs",226000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3617181-a06fa8551deb08446db5837572bc24cc&start=60&end=226","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3617181-a06fa8551deb08446db5837572bc24cc/thumbnail_60000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6220506/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Committee-accepts-April-financial-OSHA-and-wellness-reports-showing-a-deficit-in-Fund-264","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220506-3444202c968c2d8ec94fc353bc17b6ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1773696074&Signature=eUJE5RhFX2cGq2t7FHf7HbiVKugwYEfWhob~z5P~D9QUaFDDBNFztKM7TsPYyZFJjy7aeomYOgGk0HShcJ2-nzInTjBcyxNN0YZ5XmaJOk0tkifAYSa7sESwcrIIQQUvsqTLfNFntzb8LloZ4u6DytYOVZ2BHeAB4FJQbAEgHipuXgK8Ik9SUDz7qGaYSdly-cYbgRY3Wf3OlItkG7DWa0a4E23Xop10wI6OPhbeBffbhm7i7RTxcH-~Q0Q1s76X0gC1LmdIQMT3TrTAg~lwhH1c1j8Z2cd33JvsNlvbxaLx6entzbQ5UaA08Pn-OJ7WuIvutKYl5Et6mY8q2uS14g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rutherford County, TN","date","2025-05-29T19:11:12Z","article","Rutherford County’s Benefits and Insurance Committee accepted several routine reports on May 29, including Fund 264 financials for April, OSHA incident reporting for April 2025 and a wellness program update.

The Fund 264 monthly report for April showed $1,865,566 in revenue and $2,747,102 in expenditures, a negative monthly difference of $881,536. Calendar‑year‑to‑date figures showed revenue at $8,046,612 and expenditures at $9,712,132, a negative year‑to‑date difference of $1,665,520. Fiscal‑year totals cited in the meeting included revenues of $19,794,191 and expenditures of $22,730,413, a negative difference of $2,936,222. The presenter also read worker‑compensation/OJI figures and year‑to‑date totals for reserves and paid amounts as part of the report.

The OSHA report for April recorded 24 incidents (17 at the Board of Education, six at Rutherford County General, one at the highway department). Year‑to‑date the committee recorded 74 incidents with 52 recordable incidents, 10 lost-day claims, 32 restricted-day claims and 10 other recordables; year‑to‑date reserves and payments were also reported. The wellness report noted 1,820 wellness points earned through April and 250 wellness goals met.

Committee members had no further discussion and approved the reports by motion and voice/roll-call votes as recorded in the meeting minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Benefits & Insurance Committee - May 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee accepted the April fund reports for Fund 264 (a monthly deficit), OSHA incident totals and a wellness update reporting point accumulation and goals met.","taxTitle","Rutherford County, Tennessee","taxId",4625,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220511,"Committee hears update after erroneous Cigna letter about Ascension; carrier says agreement reached and continuity-of-care is available",341,1555000,1896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3617181-a06fa8551deb08446db5837572bc24cc&start=1555&end=1896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3617181-a06fa8551deb08446db5837572bc24cc/thumbnail_1555000.jpg","/articles/6220511/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Committee-hears-update-after-erroneous-Cigna-letter-about-Ascension-carrier-says-agreement-reached-and-continuity-of-care-is-available","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220511-ef9b59402a465b497c4e68cd26ac3041/orig.mp4?Expires=1773696074&Signature=FjhDwQYkDOk0wnH-oKqXc5uWecmABNsvV6l8FwgMDfe5SwiyHjPU9cv38SV5OC8tm7YZuDIr~B9YSq1ZAOPSIB~k-OueoPnXYRJd2R3bQ8GCsJJb0pING1Xu7THSyiJ0FOaeY1DcHRpkHw4~YtmGnflNcuJi0QHy3naA3l2GBGJBvrBn33R6oMd6nfIR3J0DP2FeOz7a7c6mA85404VLMhPp1xcqmvomdBKvMWWAnvO-5sIE0Htg9WfcJEqEw60L2uBEH~PT2YlOQ7vG8y-bvp6sByc0GUxyvZnPmpzP9~DvqwbW6lZpK15l1uC2ITqvf0LcS0kl7e6PoXJM8fJ2Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During ‘other business’ on May 29, Rutherford County staff told the Benefits and Insurance Committee that Cigna had sent an erroneous notice to some plan members indicating Ascension providers would be out of network. Ed Elam said the letter was sent in error and that Cigna would issue a retraction; Elam told the committee that Cigna and Ascension have since reached terms.

Committee members raised concerns that the original Cigna mailing omitted a local hospital, Stonecrest, from a list of nearby in-network options and asked whether negotiations could leave employees with reduced access to their usual providers. A committee member proposed adding contractual language in future RFPs to protect plan members from coverage changes during carrier negotiations; the committee did not take a formal vote on that proposal during the meeting.

Max Foster, identified as a Cigna representative, addressed the committee and explained the carrier’s continuity-of-care process: if a patient has ongoing treatment with a provider that would be moving out of network, Cigna can submit an individual continuity-of-care form that, if approved, allows the member to continue care with that provider for a limited window (Foster described the window generally as about 30 to 60 days). Foster said the continuity process is intended to give members time to transition care where necessary.

Elam said Cigna and HCA (Hospital Corporation of America) were in negotiations at the time of the meeting and that staff would follow up; he also said a formal retraction letter from Cigna was expected and would be distributed to members who received the erroneous notice. No formal policy change or contractual amendment was adopted at the meeting; members requested that staff return with additional information if negotiations affect access to local providers.","Staff told the committee that Cigna mistakenly sent letters suggesting Ascension providers would be out of network; county staff said Cigna and Ascension have since reached an agreement and that Cigna/HCA negotiations are ongoing. A Cigna representative described continuity-of-care options for affected patients.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220515,"Committee approves hearing-aid benefit for active employees, effective Jan. 1, 2026",170,844000,1014000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3617181-a06fa8551deb08446db5837572bc24cc&start=844&end=1014","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3617181-a06fa8551deb08446db5837572bc24cc/thumbnail_844000.jpg","/articles/6220515/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Committee-approves-hearing-aid-benefit-for-active-employees-effective-Jan-1-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220515-cdd2e069c44e12231ab12bfc7259270d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773696074&Signature=dy8ULUC~6GgD5mN81iOKR-pjUBRHP2QoBWEbVp1fWKWsZSwbUfEsO9uq8eKF1TomzdrRBNjw22ZhtzzUGz09tUINPHFxjJxO1eCXOlyd7BYphgDzrwt8h8mAyhjEsnpXh~6nDRQUwQTqbJWjp0SfGU6qpkpUGe2omRBOmhBU1GUn4Jl9nLMxy2UCMtEnKh7FdEnbPo6~mJeF8fkh4sDRd6A6pzYXINk9elgFTn9e1V2U0DwprfF1UdMXlJy3I5~SuH4Qp6ePGjlXqjENspqL52csoxkxQQ7zLv-IP0k6Q~46rCLsmwLNUrn7Sli-S7pSXJczDBDhDDz9F3TQfpf0kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rutherford County’s Benefits and Insurance Committee voted May 29 to add a hearing-aid benefit for active employees, with administration by Cigna and an expected effective date of Jan. 1, 2026.

County benefits staff presented the proposal as closing a coverage gap: dependents have hearing-aid coverage until age 18, post‑65 retirees have coverage under the county’s Medicare Advantage plan, but active employees did not previously have a hearing-aid benefit. Molly (county staff) and Ed Elam presented the cost estimate to the committee; Gallagher’s analysis and Cigna’s estimate placed the annual cost at roughly $25,000, which staff described as about 0.1% of plan spend.

Under the recommended design, the benefit would provide a maximum allowance of $2,000 for hearing aids per covered person; the allowance would be subject to existing plan deductibles and medical coinsurance. Staff said the $2,000 maximum and the 12‑month replacement/allowance period were chosen to align the active-employee benefit with the county’s post‑65 Medicare Advantage (Humana) benefit scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 2026. Staff clarified that existing manufacturer warranties would supersede plan payments when applicable and that employees should use in‑network providers; providers order hearing aids through Amplifon under the Cigna-administered arrangement.

Committee members asked follow-up questions about the cost assumptions. One member noted that a $2,000 maximum could cover about a dozen full reimbursements if each took the full allowance, given approximately 1,700 members in the plan; staff said the $25,000 estimate came from Cigna’s book-of-business experience and offered to provide additional detail after the meeting. The committee moved and approved the benefit by roll-call vote.

Staff will return with implementation details and communications for employees; the committee recorded no amendments on the floor.","Rutherford County will add a hearing-aid benefit for active employees and dependents aging out at 18; Cigna will administer the benefit and the county estimates the cost at roughly $25,000 annually (about 0.1% of plan spend).",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220520,"Benefits committee approves Securian for voluntary accident and critical-illness plans",99,322000,421000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3617181-a06fa8551deb08446db5837572bc24cc&start=322&end=421","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3617181-a06fa8551deb08446db5837572bc24cc/thumbnail_322000.jpg","/articles/6220520/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Benefits-committee-approves-Securian-for-voluntary-accident-and-critical-illness-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220520-0fd4563c93f858e3848405c4ddf8e0e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773696074&Signature=Q28BwxVy6eV8MYHwgrT4UozfDvJ44igVV5HvW8wcab7teB7RRO5Gnvu6g5Xn~IyYu4FURhQWLZntRQFEo7MPZlPti31UYmaDmZ2hh3XASYHgcPzJZ1R42vbw7ohtUUJOc~RDnE4PlXuoAuOGD8eR8TT47rW9MTTwGaYbcP4N0hIYKZDq0HIwApX4T2U-dOkaRdIZtrZ~kUWoAGrLaw5uem0HZpp8eBLfHmknKHyA96kMsJsyfGkedvlZ6NZMUGbE0c1aQ6FdQa77Qg0650AyydCaZaNqQlB4ilthIfSUv3GDJuxFvFyHtYhts-wQTvFXuJhN-JCVMMPsN3YG6Qzpmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rutherford County Benefits and Insurance Committee voted May 29 to accept a recommendation to award voluntary accident and critical-illness insurance to Securian Financial, with coverage to be effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Committee members and the county’s broker said the decision bundles the accident and critical-illness products with a single carrier and includes a five‑year rate guarantee. The county’s benefits broker said the competitive bidding process produced lower rates and that employees and the school system could collectively save roughly $440,000 on three employee-paid products (short-term disability, accident and critical illness) compared with prior arrangements.

Committee members pressed the broker on why rates fell. West Dozier, the benefits broker who led the procurement, told the committee that the market produced many competitive bids and that underwriting changes in the accident-product market have reduced costs; Dozier said carriers’ pricing and claims experience over the last five years were factors in the lower premiums. Dozier said the committee narrowed an initial field of 14 carriers to three finalists — the incumbent MetLife, Unum and Securian — and recommended Securian for having the “overall best benefits.”

Ed Elam concurred with the recommendation and confirmed the proposal’s effective date would be Jan. 1, 2026, with the rates exhibited in the recommendation. A committee member moved to approve the recommendation; the committee held a roll-call vote and approved the motion. The committee did not record any amendment to the award during the meeting.

The action covers voluntary, employee-paid products only; the county does not contribute to premiums for these ancillary plans. Dozier noted one small pricing concession (a decrement) on one element of the accident plan but said overall benefits were “similar, if not better” while producing substantial premium savings.

The committee did not discuss a change to base-funded life, short-term disability, long-term disability or other employer-paid plans at this meeting; Dozier said those items previously had been reviewed because they affect the county budget. Questions about precise percentage savings were raised in the meeting; one member observed an apparent “2730%” savings in the presentation slide, and Dozier explained that the figure reflected a large percentage decrease (his remarks characterized it as a competitive-bidding effect and industry underwriting shifts) but did not restate a single consolidated percentage in the meeting record.

The committee’s approval begins the procurement/implementation process with the selected carrier; staff indicated the selection relies on the exhibited rates and will move forward with implementation steps needed before the Jan. 1, 2026 effective date.","Rutherford County Benefits and Insurance Committee voted to accept a recommendation to award voluntary accident and critical-illness (ancillary) coverage to Securian, with a five-year rate guarantee and projected premium savings for employees.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee accepts April financial, OSHA and wellness reports showing a deficit in Fund 264

Committee hears update after erroneous Cigna letter about Ascension; carrier says agreement reached and continuity-of-care is available

Committee approves hearing-aid benefit for active employees, effective Jan. 1, 2026

Benefits committee approves Securian for voluntary accident and critical-illness plans