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County forms committee after employee life‑insurance denials under new plan
Summary
Polk County commissioners appointed a committee including HR, a commissioner, the auditor’s office and an impacted employee to review a troubled voluntary life-policy rollout after 36 of 76 employees were initially denied coverage under a new plan.
Polk County’s HR director told the commissioners court that the transition to a new voluntary life-insurance policy through TAC produced unexpected denials: of 76 employees who previously held voluntary life insurance, 36 were denied coverage, 13 were approved and six remained pending. The new policy had been presented as including a guaranteed-issue amount up to $100,000 if employees made no changes; HR said that promised automatic issuance had not materialized for many employees.
The court approved forming a review committee to examine options with the insurer and TAC, improve communication and evaluate alternatives. Commissioners specified committee membership to include HR, a representative of the commissioners court, the county auditor’s office, and at least one affected employee. The auditor’s office and the judge’s office will be included in communications with TAC to track responses and resolutions.
HR emphasized that the issue affects only voluntary life insurance and does not touch health, dental, vision or other benefits. Commissioners and staff said they want prompt resolution because many employees pay premiums out of pocket and some denied applicants have medical histories that make obtaining coverage on the open market difficult.
Next steps: the committee will meet, consult TAC and other carriers as needed, and return to the court with recommendations and a proposed path to restore or replace coverage for affected employees.
