Terrebonne Parish school workers secure with insurance plan

While many families across the country are concerned about the future of their health insurance, teachers, administrators and staffers in the Terrebonne Parish Public School District went home from last Tuesday’s school board meeting knowing that they will continue to get what some board members called “Cadillac coverage” in medical benefits.

Presented as a four-part agenda item, board members approved the renewal of a reinsurance group health plan for employees with HCC Insurance Co., with no change in coverage from the previous year and a $350,000 per claim deductible.

The renewed plan showed no alterations in rates or deductibles for individual employees from the previous year, and no out-of-pocket money for employees other than what they would contribute for the coverage of dependents in a matched plan that splits the cost between employees and the school district.

For Terrebonne education workers the single-person rate is valued at $406. The cost of carrying dependents would graduate depending on how many dependents are claimed. Group plan monthly premiums to be paid by the school district were noted as totaling $35,485.17.

“There is in actually an increase in this benefit package,” said Superintendent Philip Martin. “There is a 25 percent increase in premiums, $75 [increase] in family coverage, but the employee pays zero.”

Board members also approved a group dental plan that would come at no cost to the district and would be offered as an added option to employees. This elective coverage posted a $1.38 per month increase for individual employees, with rates graduating for added dependents based on options from which employees can choose to enroll.

The board also gave approval for the school district administration to advertise for disability income insurance. Travelers was the previous carrier. No explanation was given for the change.