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Health-insurance update: HopeTrust reports dividend, telemedicine use and network growth
Summary
At the August meeting the county’s health and insurance committee reported HopeTrust growth from 4 to 32 participants, a dividend to the county of $2,700, expanded in-house claims operations, and promotion of a free telemedicine service (MDLive). The committee said negotiations continue to add Sarah Bush Lincoln to the preferred network.
The county’s health and insurance committee provided an update on the county’s health-insurance carrier, HopeTrust (Aesthetic Risk Management/HopeTrust), reporting expansion in participation and a small dividend to the county. Committee member Tim Ellis told the board that HopeTrust grew from four participants in its first year to 32 participants as of 2025 and now insures over 5,000 members. He said the carrier brought its clinical customer service and claims teams in‑house and paid a dividend to members; Effingham County’s dividend was $2,700, to be distributed either in the fourth quarter of this year or the first quarter of next year when the carrier closes its 2024 books. Ellis also highlighted the carrier’s telemedicine offering, MDLive, which he described as a 100% free service available to HopeTrust members for basic care and prescriptions. He said county staff should encourage employees to use MDLive to reduce unnecessary in‑person claims and control renewal rates. Ellis reported HopeTrust is working to return Sarah Bush Lincoln to its preferred provider list; Springfield hospitals were recently added to preferred status. No formal board action was taken; the remarks were informational as part of the health and insurance committee report. The committee recommended continued promotion of telemedicine to county employees and monitoring provider‑network negotiations.
