County approves switch from Carle to Aetna network; board hears concerns about Hopedale access

The Tazewell County executive committee approved three related health‑insurance items that together end the county’s sole reliance on the Carle network, add an Aetna provider network option and revise plan language to permit out‑of‑network benefits.

Staff presented the package as a single change: an early termination of the county’s relationship with Carle Health, a move to the Aetna network effective Sept. 1, 2025, and updates to benefit language so that out‑of‑network coverage would apply (with the county paying 60% and the employee 40%) where appropriate. A staff member presenting the package said, “As was just said, we are asking for this to be effective as of 09/01/2025... It would just allow our employees to be able to go to Carle network still, but also have access to OSF providers and…