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Belvidere council renews city health plan with UnitedHealthcare after amendment sets $2.35 million premium
Summary
After public committee review and objections from one alderman about claims handling, the Belvidere City Council amended and approved a one-year renewal with UnitedHealthcare setting the premium at $2,350,319; the final vote was 8–1, with Alderman Stevens opposed.
The Belvidere City Council on Dec. 1 approved a one-year renewal of the city’s employee health-insurance plan with UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company after amending the motion to specify a total premium of $2,350,319.
The renewal was reported out of the Finance and Personnel committee and brought to the full council by Chairwoman Frank. Alderman Stevens said he had “nothing but horror stories” from city employees about UnitedHealthcare’s handling of claims — describing examples of pre-authorized surgeries later being denied and out-of-pocket costs for employees. “They have more problems…they’re paying out of pocket,” Stevens said.
Alderman Peterson asked whether the council should incorporate a memo from the city attorney dated Nov. 19 to clarify the financial ceiling; staff confirmed the premium figure. The council then moved to amend the committee motion to include the premium amount, $2,350,319. The amendment passed on roll call 8–1, with Alderman Stevens casting the lone no vote.
On the final vote to approve the amended renewal and to authorize the mayor to sign contract documents and the clerk to attest, the council again voted 8–1 in favor; Stevens was the sole dissenting vote.
The action authorizes the mayor to execute the renewal documents and directs the clerk to attest, with the premium amount recorded in the motion. No further implementation timeline or contract term beyond the one-year renewal was specified in the discussion.
Council members who spoke in favor cited the committee process and the need to maintain employee coverage on a timely basis; the dissenting alderman urged further negotiation and review of insurer performance.
The council moved on to the next agenda item after the vote. The motion carries administrative authority to execute the contract; staff did not place further conditions or create a separate follow-up task on the record.
