County employee health insurance back in force

Branch County employees and covered dependents had health insurance again Friday morning after a number of them were told the county policy "had expired and was inactive" as of Aug. 31.

A number, including one elected official, were denied services from ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital and other area medical providers this week after trying to receive services.

ProMedica agreed to provide those services without prior payments or an active insurance plan under its policies if the employee signed an agreement promising to be responsible for all costs themselves.

County Commissioner Jon Houtz said county officials discussed it Thursday after learning about the problem earlier in the week.

It was not discussed during the online Zoom commission work session.

Chairman of the commission personnel committee Houtz said "It was nothing like it was cancelled. I can't tell you exactly. But everybody has insurance. It was just something to do with the card or the provider Blue Cross Blue Cross Blue Shield."

Blue Cross Blue Shield did not return calls Friday morning.

Providers sent bills to employees for full amount of services in August indicating the insurance coverage was "expired." It told the employees they would be responsible for full costs, including expensive drugs for dependents.

Houtz said he was assured by County Administrator Bud Norman "everybody who went to a doctor, whatever is covered in all the bills are taken care of."

Employees who checked on insurance coverage with providers Friday morning were told the coverage was back in place.

Two with August billing said they will ask providers to resubmit to the county insurance plan.