Rutherford County adopts MyBenefitsChannel and new wellness point structure effective Oct. 1

The Rutherford County Insurance Committee on a roll-call vote moved the county’s employee wellness program to the MyBenefitsChannel platform and adopted a revised wellness point structure, both to take effect Oct. 1, 2025.

The committee approved two related motions: one to move the county’s wellness program to the MyBenefitsChannel and a second to adopt “Option 2” for the wellness-point structure that raises point values for essential activities and limits dental and annual eye exam credit to one cleaning/exam per year (100 points each). Commissioner William Phillips made the motion to adopt Option 2; the committee voted 9–2 in favor of the points structure and unanimously in favor of moving the platform.

County staff said the move to MyBenefitsChannel will consolidate wellness tracking with existing employee systems and training access. Ed Eveland, the staff presenter, told the committee the platform change “would just be located, in that same area” where employees complete training and onboarding, and recommended an Oct. 1 start so points and open‑enrollment communications align.

Discussion focused on whether the new structure would help employees improve health outcomes or simply change eligibility for the cash incentive. Mary Hickerson said she was concerned some employees would be unable to reach the new thresholds and that raising the point targets could disadvantage employees who can only complete elective items. “If we can't help them get the first 300, then we're not really helping them,” she said.

Other members and presenters said Option 2 increases the number of ways employees can earn points and adds an education component the county can supply through MyBenefitsChannel. Eric Tutovini asked whether the program’s goal was to produce healthier employees rather than simply distribute the incentive. He summarized the committee’s objective: “The goal is to overall have the employees healthier. The goal is not to put $300 in their pocket, correct?” Committee supporters said the combined higher-point values and added educational activities should better encourage preventive care and information that could reduce absences and claims over time.

Vote details: the motion to move the wellness platform to MyBenefitsChannel passed unanimously (roll-call). The motion to adopt Option 2—including the limit of one dental cleaning and one eye exam per year at 100 points each—passed 9–2; Mary Hickerson and Steve Spence voted no; the remaining members voted yes.

The committee instructed staff to include the changes in open‑enrollment communications ahead of the Oct. 1 start and said the body may revisit the structure in a future annual cycle if adjustments are necessary.