Van Buren Approves Insurance Plan

A new two-tiered insurance plan will go into effect for all Van Buren County employees.

Trustee Elizabeth Simmons said the lower tier of the plan will be more affordable for employees than it ever has been. Simmons said the plan the commissioners chose will also be better for those like her who are considered uninsurable and need to see specialists on a regular basis.

“And those two doctors in Cookeville were not covered through United,” Simmons said. “They are through Blue Cross Blue Shield. So I would get to keep my same doctors and not have to travel no further than Cookeville.”

Commissioner Tabitha Denney said employees will be given different insurance options depending on whether they make more or less than $50,000 per year. Finance Director Heather Woodlee said the plan will cost the county some $770 per employee.

“($848.92 is) the current for the $2,750 deductible,” Woodlee said. “For the $2,750 deductible, at renewal your rate will be $937.39,” Woodlee said.

Woodlee said the rest of that payment is covered by the county employees enrolled in the insurance plan.

Simmons said the plan is also better for those who need out-of-state treatment from special healthcare facilities like her husband.

“His doctors are at the Mayo Clinic,” Simmons said. “United Healthcare only covers the hospital, none of his doctors. So I do pay extra because we both have to have insurance that will pay.”