The Health Insurance Program that VSBIT formed in 1984 has been the center of attention since. With its unique funding mechanism, member school districts have enjoyed the benefits of a top-notch product at a price that has been virtually unbeatable for many years.
After several years of discussion, VSBIT and the Vermont-NEA formed the Vermont Education Health Initiative (VEHI) to operate and manage the health insurance program. VEHI, an organization without many national peers, has been able to bring about change with respect to how school employees use their health insurance benefits. Together with member education, health promotion and wellness programs that are designed to reach every member, VEHI has been able to keep the cost of its health benefits program in control.
VEHI currently offers a variety of traditional fee-for-service plans, as well as its "Dual Option Plan", which gives employees a choice between a managed care plan and a more traditional fee-for-service comprehensive plan with deductibles. All health benefit plans offered through VEHI are administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont. As opposed to commercial health plans, any funds not needed to pay claims and other direct costs associated with the plan are returned to members.
Health Plans currently available through VEHI include:
- The Dual Option, which gives employees the choice between the Vermont Health Partnership (VHP), a point of service plan, or a fee-for-service comprehensive plan with a $250 deductible
- JY with Managed Benefits, a fee-for-service plan
- Comprehensive with no deductible, a fee-for-service plan
- Comprehensive with $100 deductible, a fee-for-service plan
- Comprehensive Plus Plan with a $1,000 deductible
All the plans offer virtually identical covered services. The variations occur in the plan's payment terms: each offers slightly different member out-of-pocket arrangements. Each group (school district) that purchases health benefit plans through VEHI chooses the plans offered to its employees.
Details of health plan offerings can be found in the
Benefits Guide of the Vermont Education Health Initiative available through the VSBIT office.
Other key features of the health benefit program include:
- A January renewal announcement to aid school administrators in budget preparation
- Strong advocacy of behalf of member districts and their employees
- Wellness programs to help employees lead healthier life styles and become better consumers of health care
- A three-tier prescription drug card program to help control the risking cost of prescription drugs
To obtain information on any of VSBIT's Insurance Programs, contact the VSBIT office at:
VSBIT
79 River Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 301
Montpelier, VT 05602
Telephone: 802/223-5040
Fax: 802/229-1446
