sevier first plans are new and improved

published: February 22 2008 05:07 AM updated:: February 22 2008 05:11 PM

Cariten Healthcare and the Sevier County Economic Development Council are pleased to announce the new and improved Sevier First group health insurance plans. These plans are available exclusively to Sevier County businesses and provide benefit-rich group health insurance plans while helping employers hold down costs.
The new and improved Sevier First plans are available to groups with at least two employees and offer both medical and pharmacy coverage. The plans are made possible through a unique partnership with Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center, Cariten Healthcare and the Sevier County Economic Development Council. With Sevier First plans, group members will be able to access a higher level of benefits at Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center, including the state-of-the art $120 million new facility to be completed in 2009, while retaining access to the complete network of Covenant Health hospitals and all other Cariten network hospitals.
“We’re excited to work with Cariten and Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center to offer these new and improved Sevier First plans to Sevier County businesses,” said Allen Newton, Executive Director of the Sevier County Economic Development Council. “These plans will help Sevier County employers save money while providing quality, affordable group health insurance to their employees,” added Newton.
The new Sevier First plans are available through local insurance professionals specially prepared to sell the Sevier First product. A special meeting on the new Sevier First plans is set for local brokers on March 6th.
Headquartered in Knoxville, Cariten Healthcare currently insures 71 employer groups in Sevier County and more than 6,500 members. “Being able to offer additional plans that showcase the availability and convenience of Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center to the people of Sevier County makes perfect sense to us,” said Lance Hunsinger, President and CEO of Cariten.
For more information about the Sevier First product – especially designed for employers offering health insurance, contact your broker or call Cariten Healthcare at 865-470-7640 or the Sevier County Economic Development Council at 865-428-2212.

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User Comments

#1 Peggy Marshall commented, on February 23, 2008 at 2:03 p.m.:

The offering of health insurance through the efforts of the Sevier County Economic Council is viewed as a positive move and one which warrants commendation and approval by the citizens of this county.

From time to time we read of efforts by this agency which are beneficial to the citizens and are constructive showings of the efforts of this non-profit organization, as well as another non-profit organization, The Public Building Authority of Sevier County. Both were established and Chartered through the Sevier County Government several years ago, the Economic Council supported
by the Cities of the County, as well.

Generally, very little is known by the average citizen as to the functioning of these
non-profit organizations as it appears very difficult to ascertain - particularly the Building Authority; records are vague which are of public record as shown by recent research and questions are raised as to whether they truly are self-supporting when Audits reflect loans in six-figures being made by the County for each of the years 2005 & 2006, published audits are not available yet for 2007. Are these loans made from budgetary items set up for that purpose or a part of the 'process' by which the Mayor operates, those 'unwritten practices' performed at the whim of the Mayor?? The most serious question might relate as to whether or not an indemnity policy is currently in effect which would protect the County from risk, who would know and where will you get answers if you ask - both these questions deserve and warrant the input and concern of the citizens of this County.

While health care for small business and individuals is
a good move in the opinion of this reader, it is no off- set or retardant to the two issues set out herein.

We comment and appreciate the positive, question and reject the negative - all a matter of weighing all issues rather than one factor, and maintaining a sense of balance in measuring the benefits against the risks.

How many of you have concerns as to the real functing of these non-profits as to the involvement of our County Government and it's public officials?

When cursery Resolutions are posed by the Mayor and passed (blindly) by the Commission for the County to 'repay itself' for certain debts owed as acts incurred in issuance of bonds, notes, loans to non-profits (such as pointed out above) exactly what does this mean - the Resolutions do not show, no details are made known to those Commissioners voting on the issue - THIS IS THE USUAL PROCESS by which our County Government is run, be there and see for yourself - attend the meetings, ask your Commissioners what they know about the issues they voted on - if they are not on the committee specifically dealing with the issue which would be the Budget & Finance Committee - each will tell you 'they don't know' and don't seem to mind that they don't know!

Each of you have crossed paths with that kind of person 'who doesn't know and doesn't know that he doesn't know?!'

This is the state of affairs and the condition (called process) in which and by which our County Government is run!!

THIS PROCESS is the mechanism by which the affairs of this County for the past thirty years have been run, fenagled,
managed and manipulated by one person, The Mayor, and, until there is a CHARTER FORM OF GOVERNMENT or other serious measures taken to make a change, this will continue to be YOUR FORM OF LIFE as citizens of Sevier County. If you like what you have and see, then live with it - if you don't and would prefer something different, then do something about it!!

If this continues we will EACH, each and everyone,
be our OWN GRANDPAW.