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 facilities as well as some other facilities and providers including Springfield Clinic. We will not have any changes to the plan itself. It is just a change to carrier, not any change to benefits.”

Staff told the committee the county would remain self‑insured; plan deductibles, coinsurance percentages and out‑of‑pocket maximums would not change. The presenter said the county secured repricing of a year of past charges, and overall fees under the Aetna network are expected to be lower.

Questions from board members focused on pharmacy coverage and local hospital access. A member asked why out‑of‑network drug coverage appeared listed as “not covered” in some materials. Staff clarified that prescription benefits are administered through a pharmacy benefit manager, SmithRx, and that pharmacy benefits would be unchanged by the Aetna network move: “The change to Aetna will have no effect on pharmacy benefits whatsoever.” Staff added that most local pharmacies participate in the SmithRx network.

Several board members raised concern about Hopedale Medical Center. One board member representing that area warned, “The only Castle County Hospital that previously was on this plan will not be on this plan. So our only employee will not be able to go to Hopedale Hospital for services.” Staff replied that Hopedale would fall under the plan’s out‑of‑network benefit tier and that certain Hopedale doctors who practice at other locations are in Aetna’s network even if the hospital itself is not.

Staff said a nationwide Aetna provider lookup tool will be available and that benefits administrators are preparing educational materials and new ID cards. Jolie, a representative identified in the transcript as working with the county’s broker, joined staff to assist with questions and outreach plans.

The committee approved the three items in succession. The motions and seconds are recorded in the transcript; final approval was by voice vote for each item. Staff recommended the change not increase employee medical-cost shares in the FY 2026 budget.

The transcript records outreach efforts: staff previously contacted Hopedale about joining the network and will follow up again. No formal contract language or amendment text beyond the board’s approvals was included in the transcript; implementation will require administrative steps by the county’s benefits administrator and the broker before the Sept. 1, 2025 effective date.