In order to be covered, you must apply for health insurance, dental insurance and life insurance.

If you make application prior to September 15, your health, dental, and life insurance coverage begin on October 1. However, if you desire or need health coverage earlier, you may arrange with MPS (call 475-8158) to self-pay the premium for health coverage for September.  

 

By contract, coverage begins on the first day of the month following one month of employment - if you apply - within 31 days of your starting date.

 

For example, if you start on August 30, your coverage will start October 1 - if you apply no later than September 30.

 

For another example, if you start on September 6, your coverage will start November 1 - if you apply no later than October 7.

 

What if I don't apply within 31 days of my starting date?

 

Failure to apply within the first 31 days of employment will result in your not having benefit coverage for the first year of your employment.

 

You will not have health and dental insurance during your first year of employment.  (You will be able to apply during the September open enrollment period the next school year and your coverage will begin on November 1.)

 

We strongly recommend that you apply as soon as possible - on your first day if you can.

The Aetna Open Choice PPO plan provides a broader range of benefits than the UnitedHealthcare HMO plan.

The Aetna Plan.

Nearly 85% of all MPS teachers participate in the Aetna plan.

No. The MTEA does not advise anyone to opt out of the health insurance benefit, especially for an amount of only $500 per year. Even if you have health insurance coverage through a spouse, there are almost always advantages to having double coverage.

MTEA and MPS have been working together for nearly two years to develop a wellness program called “Learn Good Health, Live Good Health.” As part of the new GoodHealth program, the MTEA and the School Board have agreed to an annual $200 premium contribution for active employees who are covered by either the Aetna (PPO) or UnitedHealthcare (HMO) health plan. This contribution is waived if you (and your spouse if married) complete a personal health assessment (PHA) by December 15, 2007.

 

If you and your spouse do not complete the PHA by December 15, 2007, you will have $100 deducted from your second paycheck in February 2008 and another $100 deducted from your second paycheck in March 2008.

 

The annual $200 GoodHealth premium contribution will continue each year, but you will never pay it if you and your spouse complete a PHA by December 15 each year.

A personal health assessment (PHA) is a confidential survey which you (and your spouse) complete online or on paper. All PHAs include standard questions on personal health matters such as eating, drinking, smoking, exercise, stress, blood pressure, health conditions (your own and family history), weight, cholesterol, age, gender, pregnancy, driving habits, etc.

 

The purpose of a PHA is to provide you with information. Your confidential results will identify your conditions/risks and recommend specific programs to help you maintain and improve your health.

 

The GoodHealth PHA takes about 20 minutes to complete. Results are provided almost instantly when done online.

The personal health assessment may be taken as soon as your health coverage begins. You and your spouse must take the PHA no later than December 15 in order to waive the health insurance premium contribution.

 

You and your spouse may take the PHA online or request a written copy by calling 1-866-904-2615.

The Amnesty Blue Cross/Blue Shield DentalBlue dental plan provides the greatest access to dentists; you may receive services from any dentist. The benefits under this plan are generally paid at 80% for most services; you pay 20%.

 

The CARE-PLUS plan provides 100% payment for most benefits but limits access to dentists employed at the two Milwaukee-area CARE-PLUS clinics

If you select Blue Cross/Blue Shield, you pay $.72/mo. for single coverage and $5.92/mo. for family coverage. If you select CARE-PLUS, you pay $1.67/mo. for single coverage and $5.50/mo. for family coverage.

You receive a life insurance benefit equal to the nearest $1000 over your annual salary. For example, as a teacher with a starting salary of $34,008, you will receive $35,000 of coverage, at no cost, provided you enroll.

For up to $50,000 of coverage you do not pay any premium.