Groves selects UnitedHealthcare for medical coverage, Guardian for dental and vision for plan year starting Oct. 1
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Summary
Council approved staff’s recommendation to select UnitedHealthcare for group medical insurance and Guardian for dental and vision coverage for the 2025–26 plan year (Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2026); staff said the carrier selection produced lower employee in-network costs and several competitive proposals were considered.
The Groves City Council voted Aug. 11 to adopt staff’s recommendation to select UnitedHealthcare for group medical insurance and Guardian for dental and vision coverage for the Oct. 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2026 plan year.
Staff said they solicited proposals and received six competitive offers. A benefits presenter described UnitedHealthcare’s proposal as having lower proposed rates and lower in-network deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for many employees. The presenter said in-network individual deductibles for the proposed UnitedHealthcare base plan would be $3,000 with an out-of-pocket maximum of $6,000, and that certain copays and urgent-care costs would be lower than the city’s prior plan.
Staff also said dental premiums and plan design would remain unchanged and that vision premiums decreased slightly. The city will continue to cover the premium cost for employee-only coverage; employees who choose higher-tier “buy-up” plans pay the additional premium.
Council amended and approved the staff recommendation as presented and authorized plan-year coverage to begin Oct. 1, 2025.
