casey@theheraldnewspapers.com

The Sevier County Economic Development Council (SCEDC) has been working to implement its affordable healthcare program and will be meeting with Cherokee Health Systems in Seymour with the hopes of getting the clinic on board as a participant in the program.
“Two weeks ago we met with companies that are interested in coming on with Smart Card for our test. It was a very positive meeting,” said SCEDC Executive Director Allen Newton.
“Our software is going to be installed at Mountain Hope first and then at the Sevier County Health Department,” Newton said. “We’re meeting with Cherokee, which is a similar organization as Mountain Hope, in Seymour to get them on board,” he said.
The Smart Card would act like a debit card to be used to pay for clinic visits or possibly emergency room visits, for example.
“Sevier First is an insurance/health plan program we’ve put in place in partnership with Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center and Cariten Healthcare,” said Newton.
By working with these local providers, Sevier First has been able to secure cheaper rates and lower premium costs.
The plan is available to all Sevier County companies that have at least two employees.
Underwritten by Cariten Healthcare, Sevier First encourages use of local doctors and the local hospital, Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center (FSSMC), by offering better benefits for using them.
The plan is supported by Cariten Healthcare and provides a cheaper health insurance option for local businesses. According to Newton, the plan will also encourage the use of local doctors and Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center which is owned by Covenant Health, who also owns Cariten Healthcare.
“We’re hoping to have our area and our county covered so that employers put their employees that don’t have health insurance on this program,” Newton said.

casey@theheraldnewspapers.com

The Sevier County Economic Development Council (SCEDC) has been working to implement its affordable healthcare program and will be meeting with Cherokee Health Systems in Seymour with the hopes of getting the clinic on board as a participant in the program.
“Two weeks ago we met with companies that are interested in coming on with Smart Card for our test. It was a very positive meeting,” said SCEDC Executive Director Allen Newton.
“Our software is going to be installed at Mountain Hope first and then at the Sevier County Health Department,” Newton said. “We’re meeting with Cherokee, which is a similar organization as Mountain Hope, in Seymour to get them on board,” he said.
The Smart Card would act like a debit card to be used to pay for clinic visits or possibly emergency room visits, for example.
“Sevier First is an insurance/health plan program we’ve put in place in partnership with Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center and Cariten Healthcare,” said Newton.
By working with these local providers, Sevier First has been able to secure cheaper rates and lower premium costs.
The plan is available to all Sevier County companies that have at least two employees.
Underwritten by Cariten Healthcare, Sevier First encourages use of local doctors and the local hospital, Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center (FSSMC), by offering better benefits for using them.
The plan is supported by Cariten Healthcare and provides a cheaper health insurance option for local businesses. According to Newton, the plan will also encourage the use of local doctors and Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center which is owned by Covenant Health, who also owns Cariten Healthcare.
“We’re hoping to have our area and our county covered so that employers put their employees that don’t have health insurance on this program,” Newton said.