Claiborne County renews employee Blue Cross plan; medical bridge reimbursement approved

Claiborne County supervisors approved renewal of the county’s Blue Cross Blue Shield group medical and life insurance plan and accepted terms of the county’s medical bridge program, which reduces employee out‑of‑pocket exposure.

Bill Morris, representing the county’s benefits, told the board the Blue Cross plan renews Aug. 1 and that there would be no rate increase for 2025. Morris said there are 88 employees on the plan, “87 having employee only coverage and 1 person has family coverage,” and that over the last three years the county has seen a 15% reduction in costs.

Nikki Jin of the county’s benefits administrator explained the medical bridge advantage program, which lowers employee deductible exposure from $5,000 to $500 and provides prescription and other reimbursements. Jin said the program includes salary replacement for employees out for 30 consecutive days and dental and vision benefits. Jin told the board the broker had reimbursed the county about $50,000 last year and was offering a $75,000 reimbursement this year; the board approved accepting that reimbursement and authorized program participation.

A motion to renew the Blue Cross coverage and to accept the $75,000 medical bridge reimbursement was made and passed without objection. The board also approved authorization for open enrollment planning and one‑on‑one employee benefit reviews to start in mid‑June.