Local Voices
A Statement From Kevin Ritter About County Healthcare
The President of the Washington County Commissioners made a statement today about issues with the healthcare provider for county employees.
MARIETTA, OH — Today at the weekly meeting of the Washington County Board of Commissioners, Kevin Ritter made a statement concerning issues he and other county employees have had with the county's healthcare provider.
Live in Marietta? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow Marietta Patch on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free Patch mobile app on Android or iPhone.
In recent days, both Commissioner Booth and I have had frustrations with the County health insurance provider, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Find out what's happening in Mariettafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Commissioner Booth has been in office a short time so I am guessing this is his first run-in with Anthem. I have been here a bit longer and I have now had three serious disruptions in medical care in as many years. I have had three medical procedures, ordered by my doctor, denied by my insurance company.
In each case, the issue was eventually settled in my favor, but not without my quality of life being affected negatively and without significant effort and frustration on my part. This issue, however, is not about me and that's why I have not brought any of these issues up previously.
Find out what's happening in Mariettafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The reason I do raise this issue today is that if two of the three members of this board have had significant difficulties with our insurance provider, I am left to wonder what other county employees are experiencing.
Washington County has a choice in healthcare providers, a point I made loudly several times yesterday, and our volume of business is not insignificant. I would like to know what sort of experience county employees have had with Anthem. As such I am directing our human resources director to develop a simple survey that will be sent to every county employee so we can get an idea of what sort of service we are receiving for our sizeable premiums.
Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Marietta Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of our latest sponsors? Email any and all inquiries to me at christopher.schmitt@patch.com
