Insurance benefits

The following text is taken directly from our 2024-2027 BEA contract. If you have questions regarding any aspect of our benefits coverage, please direct them to one of the following:

Insurance Benefits

The District shall pay the annual Hard Cap amounts towards the total cost of the MESSA medical premium and Health Equity (HEQ) Health Savings Account (HSA) funding for each plan year. Beginning January 1, 2019, the annual District paid amounts shall adjust to the maximum payment permitted by Section 3 of the Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act. However, beginning July 1, 2018, the 2018 Hard Cap increase will take effect.

Teachers will have the option to select medical/prescription coverage from one of the following options:

  • MESSA CHOICES - $1,000/$2,000 in network deductible/5 Tier Rx

  • MESSA CHOICES/10% CI - $2,000/$4,000 in network deductible/5 Tier

  • MESSA ABC 2 Plan (HEQ/HSA) - $2,000/$4,000/5 Tier or ABC Saver Rx

  • MESSA Essentials - $375/$750/EbM Rx

In the event there are changes in the minimum deductible for ABC Plan 2, then it shall be increased consistent with state and federal law.

At the teacher’s option, the District will pre-fund $1,000/$2,000 of the deductible annually to each member’s HEQ HSA. One-half of the amount shall be paid on the first payroll in January and the other half on the first payroll in July each year. The District shall pay the remainder of the Hard Cap cost towards the MESSA annual medical premium up to the amounts specified above for single, self/spouse, self/child and family. Teachers may contribute additional money towards their HEQ HSA up to the maximum amount allowed by Federal law.

The remaining annual cost for the teacher’s elected medical plan premiums and the pre-funded balance that exceeds the Hard Cap amounts, if applicable, shall be paid by the teacher and will be payroll deducted in equal bi-weekly amounts through a qualified Section 125 Plan.

The following ancillary benefits shall be provided to each teacher, at no premium cost to the member:

A. Dental – A.D.N., self-funded with the following coverage:
Class I – 100%
Class II – 80%
Class III – 80%
Class IV – 60%
Annual maximum – $1,200
Ortho maximum – $1,500
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2 cleanings/yr.

Class I – Preventative Services (100%) include:

  • Routine Oral Examinations (Twice per plan year)

  • Prophylaxis (Cleaning) (Twice per plan year, includes Periodontal Maintenance)

  • Topical Application of Fluoride (Twice per plan year to age 19)

  • Bitewing X-Rays (Once per plan year)

  • Full Mouth Series/Panoramic X-Rays (Once per 60 months)

  • All Other X-Rays

  • Space Maintainers (Once per area per lifetime, up to age 14)

B. Reliance Term Life Insurance in the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) (inclusive of any life insurance associated with the Health Insurance coverage described above) is for the employee only. Such insurance protection shall be paid to the teacher's designated beneficiary. In the event of accidental death, the insurance will pay double the specified amount; in the event of accidental dismemberment, the insurance will pay according to the schedule.

C. Vision – National Vision Administration (NVA) including internal and external coordination of benefits.

D. Cash In Lieu – A teacher who elects to opt out of medical benefits will receive a Cash In Lieu stipend per the following schedule:

  • $500/month if 50 or more members

  • $300/month if 40-49 members

  • $200/month if 30-39 members

E. The Board shall provide, without cost to the teachers, Reliance Long-Term Disability Insurance for each teacher. Benefits shall be paid at sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of salary and shall begin after expiration of ninety (90) calendar days or at the exhaustion of their personal leave bank and common bank days whichever is longer. The maximum monthly amount shall be up to five thousand ($5,000) dollars. Benefits shall continue at no cost to the teacher in the event of total disability.

A description of the specific coverage for the ancillary benefits listed above can be found in Appendix H [of the 2024-2027 BEA contract].