Published: July 01, 2008 03:04 pm            

Fiscal Court renews health insurance

Monticello — County employees will have their health insurance through Humana for

another year, following action taken by Wayne County Fiscal Court during a

special called meeting last Thursday, June 26.

Members of fiscal court tabled making a decision regarding the health

insurance at their regular meeting, after hearing that several employees

were unhappy with the way their claims had been handled. A special meeting

was set to allow the court to look into other options, but they discovered

that they really did not have much option regarding a health insurance

carrier.

Court members heard presentations from Grady Wilson and James "Herbie"

Daniels, but there was little choice in selecting a health insurance

carrier. According to Wilson and Daniels, other insurance companies either

declined to give them a quote or simply just did not offer a quote on health

insurance for county employees.

Both Wilson and Daniels recommended that the fiscal court accept Humana

as their health insurance carrier for the 2008-09 fiscal year. This was not

the news fiscal court members were hoping to receive.

Darrell Dishman, magistrate of District 2, noted that he had talked with

county employees who were disappointed with how their claims had been

handled. He said these employees should be able to trust their health

insurance provider to handle their claims. Dishman pointed out that whenever

we get into our vehicles we have confidence in that insurance coverage when

something happens and he felt that county employees should be able to put

that same confidence in their health insurance coverage as well.

Unlike Dishman, Dale Vaughn, magistrate of District 3, said that he was

unaware that there was any problems with the way county employees' insurance

claims were being handled. He said that he would have looked into the matter

sooner had he been aware that there was a problem. He indicated that he

would keep a closer eye on this situation this fiscal year.

"I don't care who has it this coming year...I'm going to monitor you,"

Vaughn informed Wilson and Daniels.

In addition to the employees' disappointment in how their claims were

being handled by Humana, the county is also facing an 8.9 percent increase

in its rates. According to County Judge-Executive Greg Rankin, the county

currently pays $358.75/month per employee and with the renewal rate that

will increase to $390.67/month per employee.

Fiscal court had the option of either renewing their health insurance

just as it is or switch agencies, but either way county employees would have

Humana as their provider.

After discussing the matter the board voted to renew their contract with

Humana with Daniels serving as the agent of record with the stipulation that

Daniels set up at the courthouse at least once a month so employees could

come to him to discuss their insurance concerns and ask him any questions

they may have regarding their policy or claims.

In other action, the court:

€ heard the second reading of an ordinance amending the 2008 budget

€ approved budget transfers and claims.



Free pontoon rides are being offered each Sunday in July

Mill Springs Visitors Center and Museum will be offering free rides on

the Noble Ellis (a pontoon) across Lake Cumberland from the Mill Springs

courtesy dock below the Mill and the Brown-Lanier House to the North Ferry

Landing and Confederate Camp at Beech Grove.

The Noble Ellis will operate each Sunday during the month of July from 9

a.m. to 4 p.m. departing on the hour from Mill Springs and on the half-hour

from Beech Grove. The Noble Ellis is docked and can be seen at Conley Bottom

Resort.

If you are on the south side of Lake Cumberland come to Mill Springs,

Kentucky on Hwy 1275 just one mile from the caution light on Hwy 90. Visit

the Brown-Lanier House, headquarters for three generals of the Civil War and

home of the miller; operating grist mill grinding corn every Saturday and

Sunday at 2 p.m.; shopping is available in four shops: The Battlefield

Bookstore, Dunagan's Country Store, The Mill Gift Shop and Rabbit Patch

Antiques and Art Shop.

If you are on the north side of Lake Cumberland come to Mill Springs

Visitors Center and Museum on Hwy 80 in Nancy, Kentucky and see the new

exhibit "Combat on the Cumberland". Visit the Museum, the Mill Springs

Battlefield (NHL) and take the driving tour to Beech Grove. While you are

in Nancy you can enjoy a meal at The Harbor Restaurant at Lee's Ford Marina

or country cooking at the Kountry Korner Restaurant and the Triangle

Restaurant. In Beech Grove visit the Fortification site at Tour Stop 7 and

then meet the Noble Ellis at the North Ferry Landing and cross to Mill

Springs for a visit to the mill, Brown-Lanier House and shops.

For more information call 606-636-4045 or 606-340-1656.

        

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