County to host Supplemental Insurance Workshop

April 30--A concern for Orange County retirees lead to Human Resource Director Minnie Hightower to research options for medical coverage.

"In my first month here, we had two employees retire," Hightower said. "One had to have a procedure and had to purchase supplemental insurance."

Medicare becomes the primary insurance as persons reach age 65. Currently, the county's health insurance for retirees is Blue Cross Blue Shield, which does not pay until deductibles are met. For the county, that deductible could be $2,000 per individual.

"If the person is under 65, the policy is great," Hightower said. "We want to take care of our retirees and give them the best with the least out of pocket expense."

Hightower said there is a great deal of misinformation concerning the insurance and the seminars are a good opportunity for persons to get the correct information.

"With TAC [Texas Association of Counties], they are able to go to the insurance companies and ask for the best rate for 190,000 employees," Hightower said. "It allows the county to have better rates than if they asked for rates for say, 30 employees."

The higher number of employees for a company, or county, the lower the rate for insurance.

Information from the workshops will be presented to the Orange County Commissioners Court.

"This will allow the court to make an informed decision," Hightower said.

Hightower also said that if any retirees had questions or concerns they could call her.

The Supplemental Insurance Workshop will be held 9 a.m. -- 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. -- 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at the Orange County Convention and Expo Center conference room, 11475 Farm to Market Road 1442 in Orange. It is not necessary to attend both workshops.

"This is an opportunity for people to ask questions," Hightower said. "People can attend one or the other time slot. It is the same information."

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