County discusses switching employee health, dental and vision plans to Equitable to cut premiums and simplify billing

At a county commission meeting, staff presented a recommendation to move the county's employee medical, dental and vision coverage toward Equitable, citing lower employee-only premiums, a two-year rate guarantee and administrative simplification through a single consolidated bill. The discussion covered plan design differences, voluntary products that employees buy separately, and payroll-deduction procedures ahead of open enrollment.

A staff member presenting benefits options said Equitable's employee-only rate was materially cheaper than the county's current premium. The presenter told commissioners Equitable offered a two-year rate guarantee and a dental plan with a $2,500 annual maximum, higher than…