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Board approves Highmark high‑deductible plan with HSA contributions for eligible administrators
Summary
The Salisbury Township School District board voted Sept. 17 to offer a Highmark high‑deductible health plan to confidential and administrative staff effective Jan. 1, 2026, including district HSA seed contributions of $500 (individual) and $1,500 (family).
The Salisbury Township School District Board voted on Sept. 17 to offer a new Highmark high‑deductible health plan (HDHP) to eligible confidential administrative assistants and administrators, with employer Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions.
Ralph Lovelidge, the district’s HR coordinator, presented the plan’s key features: a $2,500 deductible for individual coverage and a $5,000 deductible for family coverage (the district said the out‑of‑pocket maximum is aligned with the deductible). Preventive care will be covered at 100% with no deductible. The district will seed HSAs with $500 annually for individual coverage and $1,500 annually for family coverage; an additional early‑enrollment incentive (an extra $250 individual/$500 family) was described for employees who enroll on Jan. 1, 2026. Fulton Bank will administer the HSA accounts.
Lovelidge explained tax advantages of HSAs and said contributions are excluded from federal income, Social Security, Medicare and state income taxes; funds roll over year to year and remain with employees if they change jobs. He noted HSA investment options become available after a $2,600 balance in the account. He also said eligibility requires non‑enrollment in Medicare or other non‑HDHP coverage.
Board members praised the optional plan as a potential savings opportunity for employees. One board member said, based on district usage scenarios, employees with certain salary and usage patterns could save thousands annually under the HDHP versus prior plans. Another member clarified this is an option, not a mandatory change for employees.
The board moved to approve offering the HDHP to the designated employee groups effective Jan. 1, 2026; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
The district said staff will provide enrollment details and open‑enrollment materials to eligible employees, including examples to help staff compare costs under the new HDHP versus current coverage.
