Town of Inola  |  Case Study

Better Benefits.
A Stronger Tomorrow.

How the Town of Inola transformed their employee benefit program from one that barely covered employee-only medical insurance cost of a high deductible plan, into one that now allows employees to cover 100% of cost for themselves and their children while increasing and better protecting take-home pay.

$0New burden on take-home pay due to elimination of deductibles and OOPOn the medical program
~38%
moreEmployees elected medical coverageFollowing the redesign
41%Of enrolled employees added dependent coverageGreater family protection
0%
increase2026 medical premiumsHeld flat at renewal
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Before vs. After

BEFOREEmployee-Only Approach
Town paid 100% of employee-only medical premium
Employees paid the full additional cost for spouse/children
Approx. $2,600 individual deductible
Approx. $4,500 individual out-of-pocket max
No income protection via short and long-term disability
AFTERBroader Protection Program
Shifted to a monthly allowance to better meet individual employee needs
3x employer paid life benefit from 25K to 75k
Employer-paid short-term  and long-term disability for all eligible employees
Medical premiums held flat at 2026 renewal

More Family Coverage. Greater Participation. Stronger Communities.

Family CoverageEmployee + children premiums fully covered on medical program
Participation~38% more employees elected medical coverage
Dependent Coverage41% of enrolled employees added dependents
Income ProtectionTotal Income protection for employees via employer-paid short-term and long-term disability

What Changed?

For the Town

Defined monthly contribution strategy replaced employee-only funding approach
Broader use of benefit dollars
More employees elected medical coverage
Medical premiums remained flat at 2026 renewal

For Employees

Employee + children premiums fully covered on medical program
Dependent coverage became more accessible
Employer-paid short-term disability added
Greater protection beyond medical bills

2026 Renewal: Stable Premiums. A Stronger Workforce.

0%
Premium
decrease2025 medical premiums | Flat 2026 medical premiums

Potential next steps (proposed, not implemented)

Increase employer contribution $625 to $640/month
Add employer-paid long-term disability
Explore additional wellness and AD&D benefits

What Could Your Benefit Dollars Be Doing Differently?

Employee affordability
Plan structure
Financial protection
Available alternatives

CODY FOREHAND

Helping employers build more effective
benefits strategies that protect both
their people and their business.

Not sure whether your current plan is working as effectively as it should?
Request a Benefits Efficiency Review
for a closer look at cost, employee affordability, plan structure, and available alternatives.

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