Douglas County HR committee reviews proposal to replace Aflac with Mutual of Omaha and Guardian, add legal, ID‑theft and pet options

Douglas County Human Resources Committee members heard a presentation on a proposal to replace most of the county's voluntary Aflac products with group worksite products from Mutual of Omaha and Guardian and to add legal, identity‑theft and pet insurance options.

Ian Shada, an Alliant broker, presented the proposal and told the committee the goal is to streamline the employee experience and reduce premiums. "We want to get rid of that feeling like there's multiple like Aflac group and Aflac traditional are working against each other," Shada said, describing employees' experience last year when group and individual Aflac products operated separately.

The proposal would move short‑term disability, accident and hospital plans to Mutual of Omaha; the broker presented sample premium comparisons showing typical employee savings. For example, Shada said a 34‑year‑old example who currently pays $101 monthly for a weekly short‑term disability benefit would pay about $76 with Mutual of Omaha; a 54‑year‑old example would move from $68.40 to about $46 for a comparable benefit level. Shada said the Mutual of Omaha offers a 25 cent administrative fee reduction with Blue Cross/Blue Shield worksite placement (up to 75 cents across three products), which would reduce ASO administration costs the county pays.

Shada also described…