HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County will be adding group pet insurance to its list of benefits for county employees — to be paid for by county employees.
Commissioners recently reviewed and agreed to offer the voluntary benefit that’s “in vogue” according to HR Dive, a human resource publication that described the option’s growing popularity in a November online posting.
When Blair County Benefits Specialist Brian Walters presented the option a week ago to commissioners, he told them, “I thought it was a nice expansion of benefits that we could offer.”
Commissioners Dave Kessling, Amy Webster and Laura Burke agreed and voted Thursday in favor of allowing MetLife to make the option available to employees, starting March 5, at no cost to the county.
Walters told the commissioners that employees interested in pet insurance will be directed to contact MetLife for group rates and coverage options. Based on MetLife’s website postings, factors affecting the price include the pet’s breed, age and health.
Those employees who opt to purchase pet insurance will submit their premiums and file claims with the company.
The county has no administrative work involved in providing this option, Chief Clerk/County Administrator Nicole Hemminger said.
When commissioners reviewed the option, Burke mentioned that she recently saw a job post that listed pet insurance among the benefits.
“I emailed HR and said: “‘Is this something (the county) could do?'” Burke said.
She got a reply indicating that a presentation was forthcoming.
Walters said that pet insurance is being recognized as an option that helps attract and retain employees. He referenced a study indicating that younger people consider pet insurance to be as important as personal medical insurance, as far as what they’re looking for in employer-provided benefits.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said Kessling, who indicated that he previously relied on pet insurance to help cover the cost of his dog’s surgery.
“It was quite a savings,” Kessling said.
Commissioners are also scheduled, during today’s 1 p.m. meeting, to consider another new benefit for employees, also at no cost to the county.
Legal insurance
MetLife is offering to provide employees, at a cost of $18 per month, access to a network of attorneys for everyday legal matters.
The commissioners meeting agenda indicates this benefit could become available as of April 1.
MetLife’s website indicates that its national network of 14,000 attorneys offers comprehensive coverage for more than 60 legal matters including the preparation of wills, the purchase or sale of residences, adoptions, debt collection, civil litigation and identity theft.
MetLife also indicates that it has an option to address the cost of using out-of-network attorneys.
Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.