Highlands school board approves joining Florida Education Health Trust after insurance committee recommendation

The Highlands County School Board voted to move forward with participation in the Florida Education Health Trust, known as FLEET, after its insurance committee recommended the step.

The board’s insurance committee, led by deputy superintendent Andrew Lethbridge, reported it had discussed participation, brokers and benefits and concluded a recommendation to join would be “strongest.” Lethbridge said the committee believed participation offered “a unique opportunity” for school districts and that there would be no binding contracts requiring long-term commitment if the district later chose to leave.

The recommendation, made as option 1 on the agenda, drew a presentation from Darren Bridal of Avail Companies, a local representative working with FLEET. Bridal and his team told the board they would request the district’s benefit, pharmacy benefit manager and stop-loss data and expected to report back quickly because the district has a Jan. 1 renewal. Bridal said, “As soon as that is signed…we’ll be sending you emails asking for these things,” and that his local staff would be available to support the district.

Board member discussion emphasized wanting detailed analysis and recommendations before any final changes to employee coverage. Lethbridge said Fleet would “be here…to present into the committee and hopefully have some good news. Have a plan for sure.”

Doctor Robert Durrance moved to approve option 1; Mr. Martin seconded. The motion carried and the board authorized staff to proceed with the participation process and to provide required plan data to FLEET for evaluation prior to the district’s insurance renewal.

Next steps: district staff will supply plan- and stop-loss data from current carriers (Florida Blue, Optum and others) for FLEET’s review and report back to the insurance committee and the board. The board recorded the committee’s unanimous recommendation as the basis for the motion.