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Commission approves 2026 hearing-aid benefit for active employees; selects Securian for voluntary accident and critical-illness plans
Summary
The benefits and insurance committee recommended adding hearing-aid coverage for active employees beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and the commission voted to place voluntary accident and critical-illness plans with Securian; retirees were not included in the active-employee hearing-aid change.
The Rutherford County Commission approved two employee-benefits measures recommended by the benefits and insurance committee: (1) adding hearing-aid coverage to the county's medical plans for active employees beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and (2) placing voluntary accident and critical-illness plans with Securian for 2026.
Ed Elam, the county's insurance and risk management director, presented the committee's recommendations. For hearing aids, staff proposed "a $2,000 maximum benefit per member for up to 2 hearing aids every 12 months, subject to deductible and coinsurance," applicable to active employees age 18 and older, beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Elam confirmed the change applies to active employees only; retirees post-65 who are on the county's Humana Medicare PPO already have a similar benefit.
On voluntary coverages, Elam recommended placing accident and critical-illness plans with Securian. He told commissioners the products are employee-funded (the county makes no contribution) and Securian's proposal included a five-year rate guarantee, as presented in the packet.
Commissioners voted by roll call to approve both recommendations. Voting was recorded in favor by Commissioner Trey Gooch, Commissioner Harris, Commissioner Irvin, Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Piercy, Commissioner Sereno and Commissioner Peay.
Elam closed by noting the retiree Medicare plan already includes comparable hearing-aid coverage and the Securian plans are intended as voluntary, employee-paid options.
The commission did not alter the coverage scope or the employee-funded status of the Securian plans during the vote; staff will implement the insurance changes through plan documents and enrollment processes ahead of the Jan. 1, 2026 effective date for the hearing-aid benefit.
