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County moves employee health plan to Aetna after Cigna‑Sarasota Memorial split
Summary
Facing an insurer‑provider network disruption, the county authorized an annual health‑insurance contract with Aetna to ensure continued in‑network access for employees; Cigna will extend coverage through the end of the year while the Aetna plan starts Jan. 1, 2026.
The Board of County Commissioners authorized staff to execute an annual contract with Aetna for the county’s employee health insurance plan, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Budget director Gordon Berger told the board that longtime carrier Cigna had been unable to reach a network agreement with Sarasota Memorial Hospital; staff ran a competitive process and recommended Aetna to restore broad in‑network access for county employees and dependents.
Berger said the county secured a three‑month extension from Cigna to bridge the calendar year, and staff negotiated an Aetna plan that reduces total fixed annual costs by an estimated 7.6 percent while bringing CVS pharmacy into the network where appropriate. Commissioners praised staff for contingency planning and for working with labor and benefits committees on a smooth transition.
Commissioner Constance, who had advocated for network restoration earlier in the year, said she appreciated staff’s work and said employees deserve access to nearby hospitals. The board approved the contract unanimously and directed staff to start transition messaging to employees and to return with enrollment materials and member communications.
The new contract will be effective Jan. 1, 2026, and Cigna will remain in place via extension through the end of the current plan year to prevent any coverage disruption.
