Carter County commission votes to switch employee health plan to Cigna, effective July 1

The Carter County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on May 19 to change the county’s employee medical coverage from Blue Cross Blue Shield to Cigna Healthcare, with the new plan scheduled to begin July 1, 2025.

The motion, made by Commissioner Brad Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Jerry Proffitt, authorized OneDigital to implement the carrier change under terms described during a presentation by OneDigital and Cigna representatives. Minutes record a proposal described as a 4% renewal with a 12% cap for the following year, and meeting materials also included a Cigna option described as “1% with 12% cap.” The board approved the motion by an electronic vote of 20‑0.

Finance Director Carolyn Watson and OneDigital staff presented plan comparisons showing multiple options from Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna, including projected premium and out‑of‑pocket differences across plan tiers. The meeting packet notes the county’s intent to move the FY26 unencumbered medical insurance balance into the Insurance Reserve Account; the motion also states that medical insurance will be budgeted at 1% (the packet and slides include other reported budget figures for comparison).

County officials said the switch reflects the committee’s decision to pursue a rate‑cap option intended to limit year‑to‑year increases. Materials included plan details such as in‑network deductibles, employee premium impacts and prescription network provisions; the Cigna packet in the record also outlines a 90‑day pharmacy program and rate‑cap terms that tie future adjustments to enrollment changes, large claims and changes in law.

The board did not record additional public comment on the item during the meeting. Next steps recorded in the minutes include administrative work to finalize enrollment materials and notify employees of the July 1 effective date.