Vidalia mayor: Insurance issues resolved

Aug. 16--VIDALIA -- Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft said a recent, two-day lapse in the town's health insurance coverage for employees was merely a learning pain for the new administration.

But in switching insurance agencies from a Baton Rouge based company to a Vidalia company, employees being without coverage will no longer be a concern.

"It had been something we were unaware of, but now we are on top of it," Craft said. "Not only will we be on top of it, but our broker will be on top of it as well."

The insurance change came at no additional cost to the town, Vidalia switched from Risk Management Group to The Hazlip Companies. Craft said the city paid approximately $145,000 for the month.

"The Hazlip Companies have an outstanding reputation in handling larger clients," Craft said. "They also have a good turnaround, as far as response time, and a good rapport with clients.

"The city should have switched to a local vendor a long time ago, in my opinion."

The Hazlip Companies deal in Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which the town had used previously. Craft said the town would consider alternative insurance coverage in the future as a method to potentially help lower costs.

The problem was noticed on Tuesday and fixed by Thursday, Craft said.

The lapse caused hiccups, the mayor said. Craft said an employee scheduled to have a minor procedure at Riverland Medical Center had to reschedule. Craft said it was not something life threatening.

A few employees also were turned away at the pharmacy, Craft said.

"When some employees went in for coverage, the system showed they had lapsed," Craft said. "However, I think if they would have called city hall, our system would have shown they were covered.

"I don't think that took place."

The bill was due on July 1, which was the day Craft and three new aldermen took office. Craft said the town received no phone calls or invoices about the payment due.

"It wasn't in our list amongst other things we have to pay, so it went under the radar," he said. "It's unfortunate, but it won't happen again.

"We have been in office for six weeks, and we are working hard to see where we stand financially."

Craft, who said this exact issue also happened under previous administrations but was not reported, said he was going to bring the insurance issue up during his comments at a public meeting this week. However, the matter came up during the public comment period.

"When I said I was going to be transparent, I meant it," he said.

Craft said moving forward he expects more financial shortcomings from the past will be uncovered in the city's operations.

"As we move forward, as we find them we will correct them," he said. "And we will inform the people."

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