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Northland Pines board approves new health insurer and employee HSA contributions for 2025
Summary
Trustees approved switching the district’s health plan to WCA (recommended by the insurance committee), approved added HSA contributions for employees and made changes to vision and dental coverage effective Jan. 1, 2025.
The Northland Pines School District board approved several employee benefits changes on Oct. 28, including a move to WCA for health insurance, a district contribution to employee HSAs for 2025, termination of the district-paid Delta vision plan in favor of a voluntary materials-only option, and renewal of Delta Dental.
During discussion, administration and insurance-committee members described a competitive market and rising loss ratios; they told trustees the WCA proposal came in under 6% and was preferable to bids from other providers that were substantially higher. The insurance committee and personnel/finance committees recommended the WCA option after reviewing alternatives including self-funding, captives and joining other districts.
The board approved the WCA renewal by voice with abstentions recorded; a trustee also abstained on one HSA vote. Administration said employees currently pay about 12% of premiums and that the district will seek to keep employee shares as low as practicable while maintaining benefits.
Vision and dental changes: trustees approved terminating the district-paid Delta vision plan and offering a voluntary materials-only option effective Jan. 1, 2025; administration said the change would not cost taxpayers and would be voluntary for employees. The board approved renewing Delta Dental without plan changes.
Next steps: HR and finance will implement carrier transitions and update employees on plan changes and any required enrollment actions before Jan. 1, 2025.
