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DeSoto board hears plan to add lower-premium "buy‑down" health option; tobacco surcharge proposed
Summary
District benefits consultants presented a third, lower‑premium "buy‑down" health plan option for employees, with higher out‑of‑pocket costs; the insurance committee also proposed a tobacco affidavit that would add a $25 surcharge per benefits check for employees who report tobacco use. No formal board vote on the plan was recorded at the meeting.
The DeSoto School Board on June 10 heard a proposal from benefits consultants to add a third, lower‑premium health plan option for employees while keeping the district's two existing plans.
Nicole Leal, identified in the meeting as Nicole Leal with Veil Benefits, told the board that the new option would be introduced as a buy‑down plan and described it as “more out of pocket” for employees: “your current 2 plans…have a $1,500 deductible where the new buy down plan is gonna have a $6,000 deductible,” Leal said. She added the buy‑down would be offered at no cost to employees at the employee‑only tier and at a reduced premium for dependent tiers.
The nut graf: the proposal aims to expand employee choices and reduce the district’s projected benefit costs. According to the presentation, the district’s budget with three plans is proposed at approximately $8,200,000; Fleet (the district’s insurance pool) and broker projections from Alliant indicated a fully insured alternative could have cost just over $9,000,000 under current claims.
Benefits counsel Michael Watkins of Century Insurance said adding another plan increases complexity for employees and described planned education efforts: “we're gonna be…adding another layer of education, and actually giving some tools to help employees figure out the best plan for them,” he said, noting those materials will be part of open‑enrollment outreach.
Gina, identified in the meeting as representing the insurance committee, outlined a proposed tobacco affidavit that the committee wants to include electronically in the enrollment platform. She said the committee proposes a $25 surcharge on any pay period that includes a benefits deduction — “which is 24 out of the 26 checks. So it's approximately $50 a month,” Gina said.
Board members praised the committee’s work and emphasized two points raised during discussion: that the extra plan responds to an employee survey request for more options, and that the district — because it is self‑funded — expects to absorb some increased costs. Board member Miss Mott said the district planned to cover the added cost, telling colleagues, “we're basically paying into ourselves.”
The presentation also outlined process steps: the district intends a mandatory open enrollment so every employee can compare the three options and make an informed choice; Michael Watkins said he will attend the open‑enrollment breakfast to present plan details. The consultants and committee did not bring a final plan document to a recorded board vote during the meeting.
Ending: The proposal will proceed into the district’s open‑enrollment process and employee education; the transcript shows no formal board action adopting the new buy‑down plan or the tobacco affidavit at this meeting.
