County OKs Switch in Health Insurance
Attracted by lower rates and a promise of better service, Ventura County supervisors Tuesday approved switching to a new health insurance provider for 3,800 county employees.
The board unanimously agreed to replace Foundation Health Plan with Aetna Life Insurance, effective Dec. 31.
Under the county’s three-year contract with Aetna, employee-paid premiums will be 3.1% lower for the first two years, with a maximum 6% inflation hike for the third year.
But the lower rate was only part of the reason for switching insurance companies, said Barbara Olivier, the county’s benefits manager. She said a survey conducted last year found that a considerable number of employees were dissatisfied with the service provided by Foundation Health.
Repeated attempts to resolve problems with the company, which offered to lower its rates to keep the county contract, were unsuccessful, officials said.
“With the choice we made, I think we will improve our service level,” Olivier said.
County retirees who elect to participate in the Aetna plan will pay a 1% surcharge over the rate charged to active employees.
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