Newton County approves Cigna for employee medical and dental coverage for FY2026

Newton County commissioners unanimously approved the county’s recommendation to accept a Cigna proposal for employee medical and dental coverage for policy year July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Human resources director Amanda Shoemaker and insurance broker Gary Massey described a formal marketing and vetting process after the incumbent renewal from Aetna produced a rate substantially higher than expected. Massey told the board the county sent identical data to two competing carriers and received best‑and‑final offers that were within 1% of each other and considerably below the incumbent renewal. He said negotiations preserved the county’s existing deductibles and copays and added a negotiated rate cap for the next plan year.

Massey said the aggregate dental benefit will be $1,000 annually with a $50 deductible and that, under the negotiated arrangement, dental benefits will “start fresh” on July 1 so employees who had previously met earlier annual maximums will receive the new annual allotment on the first plan day. Doctor Shoemaker and Massey said the overall county renewal came in about 16–17% (industry‑typical) before negotiations and that concessions and a rate cap improved the county’s long‑term outlook.

Employee premium impact: Staff outlined monthly premium increases for employees: employees hired before July 1, 2017, will see an increase of about $6.52 per month; employees hired after that date will see approximately $12.79 per month (medical and dental combined for earlier hires; dental addition noted separately for later hires).

Why it matters: The change is intended to contain year‑over‑year cost exposure while maintaining current benefit levels and adding on‑site Cigna support on July 1 for prescription issues. The board approved the recommendation unanimously; staff will finalize and sign contract documents.