Saranac Lake Central School District - Health Insurance

The Saranac Lake Central School District provides health insurance in a consortium of school districts including Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES, Brushton-Moira Central, Chateaugay Central, Lake Placid Central, Malone Central, St. Regis Falls Central, Salmon River Central and Tupper Lake Central schools. The consortium has a governance structure consisting of 9 school district representatives and 9 bargaining unit represtatives. Basically, these Districts insure themselves.

As I understand the contract, the consortium is required to maintain negotiated insurance premiums for 3 year periods. The premiums for the 1997-99 periods were $2,280 for single coverage and $6,012 for family coverage. I do not know what the current premiums are but they are surely significantly higher than they were in 1999.

Drug co-pays for 1997 were $3 for generic,$5 for brand name and $0 for mail order. If a generic equivalent does not exist, the generic co-pay will apply. Major medical deductible for 1997 was $150/$450.

12. D of the Memorandum of Understanding reads: New premium rates will be computed effective July 1, 1997 based on the gain/loss of single and family coverage at a level necessary to generate a pool of money as if no change was made. Effective March 1, 1997 and on March 1st each year thereafter, a demographic comparison of the number of employees otherwise eligible for a second family coverage shall be performed. If the number of such employees has changed in comparison to the prior year, then the total pool of money may be increased or decreased accordingly as determined by the governing board.

According to the 2005-2008 Teachers contract: As of July 1, 1997, the bargaining unit member's share of the health insurance premium shall be $250 for family coverage and $125 for individual coverage (article XXIX. A. 2.).

Moreover: Effective July 1, 1996, any bargaining unit member who elects not to receive any health insurance from the district for a minimum of one year shall receive a stipend of $1500 annually (article XXIX. A. 6.).