Cigna dispute forces Star Valley Health to shift claims to First Choice network

The Teton County government meeting held on July 7, 2025, addressed several key topics, primarily focusing on health insurance updates and public works initiatives.

The meeting began with a report from Justin, who discussed recent developments regarding Cigna and Star Valley Health. He noted that Cigna failed to reach an agreement with Star Valley Health to reduce rates, which is an uncommon occurrence. As a result, Cigna will no longer be accepted at Star Valley Health. However, Justin reassured attendees that employees would not face disruptions in their healthcare access, as claims routed to Cigna will be redirected through First Choice of the Midwest, ensuring they are treated as in-network charges. He emphasized that Allegiance has a plan in place to manage any potential issues that may arise during this transition.

Additionally, Justin shared that HR Manager Jasmine Kinsler recently attended the national SHRM conference, where she engaged with HR professionals and explored new technologies and practices that could benefit the county. The meeting participants expressed enthusiasm for her upcoming update on the insights gained from the conference.

Following this, Heather Overholster from Public Works provided updates on various projects. She reported ongoing discussions with the school district regarding water quality and the development of a negotiated agreement. Overholster also mentioned the involvement of Public Works in the Hoback Water and Sewer District, highlighting their participation in biweekly meetings to advance related initiatives.

In terms of transportation, Overholster updated the group on the parking garage project in Jackson, noting that Dr. Frey is working towards implementing paid parking, scheduled for the week of July 21. Furthermore, she mentioned that Dr. Frey is reconciling a vision for high school road with traffic forecasts, indicating ongoing efforts to improve transportation infrastructure in the area.

The meeting concluded without any further questions, summarizing a productive session focused on health services and public works developments in Teton County.