[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",5974038,"mediaKeyId","5842934-04be1b61b0d5ac6f01696e4993ae5fe0","parentId",5842934,"title","Mary Hickerson elected vice chair by acclamation","audioSeconds",37,"startMs",86000,"endMs",123000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842934-04be1b61b0d5ac6f01696e4993ae5fe0&start=86&end=123","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842934-04be1b61b0d5ac6f01696e4993ae5fe0/thumbnail_86000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5974038/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Mary-Hickerson-elected-vice-chair-by-acclamation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974038-b15c57f26fdec09991c4c060505f7348/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199919&Signature=Wzbp86ULkdMJ79lbetbE~nRypz3oRh5Lfp-~0E-tkwC-ircq7GeOfr1-8azLzjC0efpgWr-kXvIi2KSse~RcweHNXMPN8WUDFh6ituJ4-phYaLt9HeASlCBj7lzcS5JRs2ANUCRWi0~qjUeP6vUKsUwMytz~x~v5ZM~CiF0Zy5JuuhYmLyx6og6Xf1JERleeyR5H43G07zGVuGZPOyWtMDO8vk-Rl~VfoJF-4sY5eEd3HIEgBb6io8IZ7Mri-AtIY2abFZabS68DZvtyBsqt7KEt4Ahgu6gFjhbad8PPiWESaMn-p-2EubNmkUVdKCadsxi7xHxWq6myfFreYYOvKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rutherford County, TN","date","2025-09-25T19:00:21Z","article","During the Sept. 25 Benefits and Insurance Committee meeting, a member nominated Mary Hickerson for vice chair and, with no further nominations, the committee elected her by acclamation.

The committee began the meeting by approving the minutes from the previous meeting; the minutes were approved following a motion and a second. When nominations for vice chair opened, a member said, \"I nominate Mary Hickerson,\" and no additional nominations were offered. The chair declared, \"Nomination cease and Mary be elected by acclamation,\" and the committee recorded the ayes.

There was no further discussion on the vice chair nomination. The committee proceeded with scheduled agenda items, including financial, OSHA, and benefits reports, and later adjourned.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 30, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Benefits & Insurance Committee - September 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee nominated and elected Mary Hickerson as vice chair by acclamation during the Sept. 25 meeting; the committee also approved minutes and adjourned.","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},5974043,"OSHA report: 31 incidents in August, 99 recordables year‑to‑date; reserves reported",45,349000,394000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842934-04be1b61b0d5ac6f01696e4993ae5fe0&start=349&end=394","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842934-04be1b61b0d5ac6f01696e4993ae5fe0/thumbnail_349000.jpg","/articles/5974043/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/OSHA-report-31-incidents-in-August-99-recordables-yeartodate-reserves-reported","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974043-96da9644ccea68ea58f4c1ee6ba7a2f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199919&Signature=nYDAqfE77aYuCEWjF4iBVBbiltszvg6TO1DRSaXoy87mb2F7g1uxzh9ep6Rbn4rtew~GSwFSJ6jv1lN1A6bgf90tm3bxm-akJOUzjooEjfS17d5Wza2eDYjx4jac-pIswUCb~ahlBBozG~r-tkkQqrcrc~PXXp7Fx-AdvW2XdaPygGkIMaR9BTKNhRQ0rWVRCF0-hfe0lqctk08d~RXORrQS1ClqM4mwjTWAR04-02SPekyRaxSTNhYwIGbpOABqgOFv-FXknoY8oDis9FVAb7F2lYklDqiSbebdzwIHvuu5ujlEUPAdo1Poz2x~IaPGr25bqiugAl6d27N1jqI2ZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County risk staff reported August workplace incidents and year‑to‑date claim totals to the Benefits and Insurance Committee on Sept. 25.

\"In the month of August there was 31 incidents. Of those 31 incidents, there was 17 at the board of ed, 14 at county general. Of the 14 at county general, there was 1 at PAWS, 1 at EMS, 1 at archives, 1 at fire and rescue, 1 at the JDC, and 9 at the sheriff's department,\" Susan Thompson, the presenter, said.

Thompson summarized year‑to‑date claim totals through August: \"Of that 136, there's 99 OSHA recordable with 21 lost day claims, 58 restricted day claims, and 20 other recordables. The reserves for the month are $92,751. That brings the year to date reserves to $759,465. The year to date paid is $258,839, and of the 136 claims, 91 of those have closed. We currently have 6 out of work and 19 on restricted duty,\" she said.

Committee members had no substantive questions. The chair called for a motion to accept the OSHA report; the committee accepted it by voice vote.

The report provides the committee a snapshot of workplace injuries by department and the financial reserves held for claims; staff will continue to report claims and reserve activity in subsequent meetings.","County risk staff reported 31 incidents in August and 136 claims year‑to‑date, with 99 OSHA‑recordable cases, 21 lost‑day claims, and year‑to‑date reserves of $759,465; committee accepted the report.",{"_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},5974047,"Committee reviews August fund reports showing monthly and year‑to‑date deficits",111,131000,242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842934-04be1b61b0d5ac6f01696e4993ae5fe0&start=131&end=242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842934-04be1b61b0d5ac6f01696e4993ae5fe0/thumbnail_131000.jpg","/articles/5974047/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Committee-reviews-August-fund-reports-showing-monthly-and-yeartodate-deficits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974047-fa69f4cea2c805599b52f99f6f5953e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199919&Signature=le8ny0vZgPCIMCK474NGrcc6l~6s~l6Db2dKrOaHuCIphHsc1qCC~edywhLUcXBRlrhHMPzKcPIHy3PiyEY0aMHR~Z0xwZpUnJ2a~jVb3iCU8XZLRY9sB66zz26D1jymysrlYCQEiIFVMUcQ1qdzCxWw-FsCfspw77WOP6vLoCFsdynPVH96cefdHpTgJeObF9CTqEx9jK84IHIjv~ogIgESlllbBkRvaVgA8RFb0vNl0lLHxQSe2ATHwde8MtyHNmeU~AdHkpWySvYKpkMQW9t~ZjhKF7hO0tBlSxrHRGS9oPKdzK~4a-fr-opuqokVFGf1hqXcv7-X8asgEV111w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County finance staff presented the benefits fund reports for August during the Benefits and Insurance Committee meeting on Sept. 25, showing monthly deficits and negative year‑to‑date positions across several funds.

\"For the month of August in revenue, you have $1,879,565. Expenses, $2,887,005. Revenue less expenditures, a negative $1,007,440. Your total for the calendar year is $16,095,631,\" Mr. Elam said while presenting the report. He also reported fiscal‑year figures and details for a workers’ compensation/OJI fund: \"In the $2.66 fund, for the month of August, workers comp, $1,068.92. OJI, $51,934.27. Your total for the month of August is $53,003.19. Year to date ... your total is $104,632.72.\"

Elam reported year‑to‑date reserves and paid claims in later comments to the committee. After brief questions about open workers’ compensation cases, the chair moved to accept the financial report and the committee approved the report by roll call; the chair directed the minutes to reflect the acceptance.

A committee member asked for the number of currently open workers’ compensation claims; Elam said, \"I believe right now there's five that are active.\" The committee did not change policy or move additional budget items during the meeting; members accepted the report as presented.

The financial report was accepted by the committee without objection.","Staff presented August financials showing a monthly deficit and year‑to‑date negative positions across funds; committee accepted the report by roll call.",{"_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},5974052,"County outlines Oct. 3–17 open enrollment window and rollover rules for benefits",239,479000,718000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842934-04be1b61b0d5ac6f01696e4993ae5fe0&start=479&end=718","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842934-04be1b61b0d5ac6f01696e4993ae5fe0/thumbnail_479000.jpg","/articles/5974052/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/County-outlines-Oct-317-open-enrollment-window-and-rollover-rules-for-benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974052-04dd053e0639c86f9461a25577a5afca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199919&Signature=gIMlmPL~36Z0ddBtsqvLjsh81MqKFaE0ekv9KCfAR8UstHamXID0Z5VM8DtriQIi7IKxVbH7DN7dCHvBsHgy04aJ3i6R~xCyp-WZJkXS1JSEU2v9bO5llgg219PY6OYjCrnoPwKqfuq5UK~f584vFeNcYOwm4qbQWjA3l9E-R18BaU3cfJYj0z523FF~buRdQjNtUl9MBBdVYmS9tjxEwU05ywSJj-IVMwg53XWfZbK8BuAUzE6il-CsgrMAtyvQpy8INVC6Pvoj3I7HpZSZBq3eRqNrtwoTrEyqTWZZoTV-gHtcMUWObbFHpUZZH9pkIJ5BKyUbChAk6J3Fij2D5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rutherford County benefits staff told the Benefits and Insurance Committee on Sept. 25 that annual open enrollment for active employees will run from noon Oct. 3 through noon Oct. 17, and that retiree enrollment is scheduled for Nov. 3–7.

\"For active employees, it's going to be noon to noon, October 3 through October 17,\" Molly Howell, who presented the enrollment update, said. Howell said the county will email employees with a link to the annual enrollment website and a benefits video the day after the meeting. She credited county OIT and communications staff for producing the materials.

Howell emphasized rollover rules and one exception: most benefits will passively roll into 2026 if employees take no action, but health care and dependent flexible spending accounts do not roll over. \"The only two benefits that won't roll over into the new year are our health care flexible spending account and the dependent care flexible spending account. If an employee wants to be enrolled in those next year, even if they're enrolled in them this year, they have to go in and actively reenroll in those every single year,\" Howell said.

Howell also noted changes approved earlier in the year to several voluntary plans and the post‑65 Medicare Advantage plan for retirees. She said some voluntary benefits will change carriers: \"The ones that are turning over to new carriers will be the accident insurance, critical illness insurance, and life insurance, and then we're making an adjustment to our short term disability insurance to give employees another option in the waiting period that they can elect.\"

Retirees who want to make changes must return mailed forms by Nov. 7, Howell said. She added that employees should check beneficiaries for employer‑paid basic life insurance, which the county plans to increase to $50,000 in 2026.

Howell encouraged employees to watch the benefits video and use appointment links on the enrollment site for phone or in‑person help; printed enrollment guides will be delivered to departments next week for employees who prefer paper.

Committee members asked whether voluntary plans would remain the same and whether Kroger pharmacy arrangements had changed; staff said Kroger had not been added back into the primary pharmacy network for Rutherford County and that the county remains in the Publix network based on utilization. Howell did not propose any change to the county’s network during the meeting.

The committee accepted the enrollment update without objection.","Benefits staff told the committee open enrollment for active employees will run noon Oct. 3 through noon Oct. 17; most benefits will passively roll unless employees act, but health and dependent flexible spending accounts require active reenrollment and retiree forms must be returned by Nov. 7.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5974056,"Cigna warns 23 county members could lose in-network access if LifePoint talks fail",214,942000,1156000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842934-04be1b61b0d5ac6f01696e4993ae5fe0&start=942&end=1156","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842934-04be1b61b0d5ac6f01696e4993ae5fe0/thumbnail_942000.jpg","/articles/5974056/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Cigna-warns-23-county-members-could-lose-in-network-access-if-LifePoint-talks-fail","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974056-34cdd04955cb54fdd11770e17e7f3b11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199919&Signature=JFlQuTKvo4zGTbalyoKLOhQA~XiUYpG40QoUZ9ePfIHcSVJaKHB14-46hRy3o7DUE4be4oGZVrvJrdbpEHmoc1iz3daHlvPeD2DL8foE8iPicEU3xbiXHR34fFd7R1RoNQJQTIDEV1z-6fpAPnfcTrTGCipc6RDgmEbvFPvK-mSspvRkZESGfi6mOssPoDKghxAx4wnwTWvEoYFa~MnnlVySoT~gi9FBBli3ea-5u66KjKnRRQV7m5bFJ6b39Gak3BHtheqtKDBTvPHng9OZopTj7PNG6ETK28YEGjO7dNhrIlD7UQkMpfnX3ZWSLbOKtv2~BieFK-lHyXeFJP~7qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cigna representatives told the Rutherford County Benefits and Insurance Committee on Sept. 25 that negotiations with LifePoint hospitals could end Oct. 15, which would remove those hospitals from Cigna’s in‑network provider list for plan members. Paul Huffman, a Cigna representative, said the carrier identified 23 members who used a LifePoint hospital in the last 18 months and notified those members about the possible change.

The matter matters because those members could face out‑of‑network costs or need to seek care at alternative hospitals if the agreement fails. \"October 15 is the date that we have on the calendar that LifePoint hospitals would terminate if our negotiations aren't successful,\" Huffman said. He added the 23 affected members account for about $50,000 in total services.

Huffman said Cigna has kept negotiation channels open but that LifePoint has made demands Cigna cannot accept so far. \"LifePoint has made demands that we cannot agree with, and they have not come off their position yet,\" Huffman said. He said that if an agreement is reached, Cigna will notify those members.

Committee members asked which hospitals are in the LifePoint group. Huffman named several: Riverview Regional; Lawrenceburg; Pulaski; Winchester Regional Medical Center (Athens); Trousdale Medical Center; and a number of small, rural facilities in southern Tennessee. He said the county provided alternative hospitals in the notification letters sent around Sept. 15, and that the letters included named alternate facilities for affected members.

Huffman also described Cigna’s continuity‑of‑care process for members undergoing recent or ongoing serious treatment: such members may be approved to continue care at an out‑of‑network hospital for a limited time under transition‑of‑care provisions.

The committee did not take formal action on the negotiation; members asked clarifying questions. The committee chair asked staff to continue tracking the negotiation and member notifications and to bring updates to the committee if the status changes.

For context, committee members discussed pharmacy‑network issues with other vendors during the meeting but did not link that discussion to the LifePoint negotiations.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 30, 2025.","Cigna told the Benefits and Insurance Committee that negotiations with LifePoint hospitals remain unresolved and could end Oct. 15, potentially disrupting services for 23 county health-plan members; Cigna said alternative hospitals and transition-of-care protections have been offered.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mary Hickerson elected vice chair by acclamation

OSHA report: 31 incidents in August, 99 recordables year‑to‑date; reserves reported

Committee reviews August fund reports showing monthly and year‑to‑date deficits

County outlines Oct. 3–17 open enrollment window and rollover rules for benefits

Cigna warns 23 county members could lose in-network access if LifePoint talks fail