Westmoreland School District Benefits
The Westmoreland Teachers' Association (WTA) includes certified teachers employed by Westmoreland School District.
Westmoreland School District hourly support staff are eligible for benefits as defined in the Westmoreland Employee Benefits Policy.
Benefit eligible employees of the Westmoreland School District, as specified by their collective bargaining agreement or employee benefits policy, are offered a comprehensive benefits package of medical insurance, including prescriptions and vision care; health buy-out; dental insurance; life insurance; long-term disability and short-term disability; enrollment in the NH Retirement System; direct deposit; 403(b) plan through Fidelity; sick leave; paid personal leave; and paid holidays (for full-time and regular hourly employees as defined in the Westmoreland Employee Benefits Policy).
Once hired, benefits eligible employees have 30 days to choose the medical and/or dental insurance most useful to you and your dependents. Once you submit your elections, your choices will be recorded as your benefits elections until the next Open Enrollment period (every July 1st). You may not make any changes to your elections – even within the 30 day enrollment period – unless you have a qualified family status change. The effective date for medical and/or dental insurance is the first of any given month following date of hire or date of qualifying event.
Currently, both medical and dental insurance is offered through the HealthTrust. The HealthTrust has contracted with Anthem BC/BS of NH to insure their medical plans and Northeast Delta Dental to insure the Option 8 dental plan offered to Westmoreland school employees.
Westmoreland School District hourly support staff are eligible for benefits as defined in the Westmoreland Employee Benefits Policy.
Benefit eligible employees of the Westmoreland School District, as specified by their collective bargaining agreement or employee benefits policy, are offered a comprehensive benefits package of medical insurance, including prescriptions and vision care; health buy-out; dental insurance; life insurance; long-term disability and short-term disability; enrollment in the NH Retirement System; direct deposit; 403(b) plan through Fidelity; sick leave; paid personal leave; and paid holidays (for full-time and regular hourly employees as defined in the Westmoreland Employee Benefits Policy).
Once hired, benefits eligible employees have 30 days to choose the medical and/or dental insurance most useful to you and your dependents. Once you submit your elections, your choices will be recorded as your benefits elections until the next Open Enrollment period (every July 1st). You may not make any changes to your elections – even within the 30 day enrollment period – unless you have a qualified family status change. The effective date for medical and/or dental insurance is the first of any given month following date of hire or date of qualifying event.
Currently, both medical and dental insurance is offered through the HealthTrust. The HealthTrust has contracted with Anthem BC/BS of NH to insure their medical plans and Northeast Delta Dental to insure the Option 8 dental plan offered to Westmoreland school employees.
Benefit Policies/Bargaining Agreements
Insurance
Insurance Choices
Listed below are all of the medical and dental insurance plans currently offered to employees in SAU29. Westmoreland School District employees may elect to enroll in one of these 3 medical plans: AB20 HMO; AB15 HMO IPED; and the BC 2-TIER 20 POS. The dental plan offered to all eligible Westmoreland employees is Option 8.
For a comprehensive comparison sheet of the health plans offered to Westmoreland School District please click here.
For a comprehensive comparison sheet of the health plans offered to Westmoreland School District please click here.
The federal healthcare reform law, PPACA, requires the school district to make available to all employees who are enrolled in, or eligible to be enrolled in the District's insurance, with a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC). The SBC describes the plan benefits and coverage, including prescription coverage for each of the medical plans offered. The format of the SBC is designed to allow employees to compare benefits and coverage among the various health insurance plans offered. Please be aware that the SBC does not replace Anthem's Medical Plan Summaries as listed below. To obtain copies of the SBC's, please click here.
Insurance Costs
Employee deductions for medical and dental are taken on a pre-tax basis throughout the year. To view the Employer and employee costs for medical and dental insurance, please click below.
Click on the below link under the HealthTrust Resources webpage to find the forms needed to enroll in SAU29's medical and/or dental insurance. Once at this webpage, please click on "Forms, Documents and Brochures" tab on the left and then scroll down to Medical and Dental Enrollment. Print out the "Medical and/or Dental Application and Change Form". NOTE: SAU29 offers both medical and dental insurance through the HealthTrust, so any changes must be made on the Medical and/or Dental Application and Change Form; please do not complete the Dental Application and Change form.
Click here to be directed to the HealthTrust's Resources page to find the forms needed to enroll in SAU29's medical and/or dental insurance. Once at this webpage, scroll down to Medical and Dental Enrollment. Print out the "Medical and/or Dental Application and Change Form". NOTE: SAU29 offers both medical and dental insurance through the HealthTrust, so any changes must be made on the Medical and/or Dental Application and Change Form; please do not complete the Dental Application and Change form.
Click here to be directed to the HealthTrust's Resources page to find the forms needed to enroll in SAU29's medical and/or dental insurance. Once at this webpage, scroll down to Medical and Dental Enrollment. Print out the "Medical and/or Dental Application and Change Form". NOTE: SAU29 offers both medical and dental insurance through the HealthTrust, so any changes must be made on the Medical and/or Dental Application and Change Form; please do not complete the Dental Application and Change form.
Health Buy-Out
Full-time and regular NAME OF SCHOOL employees who have elected not to receive medical insurance from the District and who have provided documentation to Human Resources that they are covered by medical insurance not provided by the District, shall be eligible to receive a payment of five thousand ($5,000) payable in a lump sum upon the close of the applicable school year. The amount shall not be prorated and no consideration for partial years will be given. One final note - health buyouts are considered fully taxable income by the IRS and are subject to federal employment taxes.
Contact Human Resources to request the health buyout.
Contact Human Resources to request the health buyout.
Flex Spending
SECTION 125 - FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - Plan Year July 1st – June 30th
Flexible Spending Accounts allow you to set money aside on a pre-tax basis to pay for out-of-pocket healthcare and/or dependent care expenses. For complete information on these tax saving plans, click on either the HealthCare Savings Account Brochure or the Dependent Care Savings Account brochure below.
Starting July 1st, staff may elect an annual election for a Flexible Health Care Savings account of $200 minimum up to $2,500 maximum.
An annual election for a Dependent Care Flexible Savings Account is allowed at $200 minimum up to $5,000 maximum.
Further information, along with the FSA debit card feature, reimbursement and direct deposit forms may be found at the HealthTrust website by clicking here and scrolling to Flexible Spending (FSA): If you wish to participate in an FSA account, please fill out the applicable enrollment form below and return to Human Resources no later than 25 days after your hire date or prior to the start of a new July 1st plan year. A NEW FSA ENROLLMENT FORM MUST BE COMPLETED EVERY YEAR - enrollment in the next plan year is not automatic.
Starting July 1st, staff may elect an annual election for a Flexible Health Care Savings account of $200 minimum up to $2,500 maximum.
An annual election for a Dependent Care Flexible Savings Account is allowed at $200 minimum up to $5,000 maximum.
Further information, along with the FSA debit card feature, reimbursement and direct deposit forms may be found at the HealthTrust website by clicking here and scrolling to Flexible Spending (FSA): If you wish to participate in an FSA account, please fill out the applicable enrollment form below and return to Human Resources no later than 25 days after your hire date or prior to the start of a new July 1st plan year. A NEW FSA ENROLLMENT FORM MUST BE COMPLETED EVERY YEAR - enrollment in the next plan year is not automatic.
Retirement Benefits
NHRS
All full-time, eligible employees must enroll in NHRS. Click here for more information and enrollment forms.
403b Plan
NH School Administrative Unit 29 is pleased to partner with Fidelity Investments as our exclusive provider of investment options and record keeping services for the SAU29 403(b) plan.
Life and Disability
Life Insurance
Term life insurance, with Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) is offered to an eligible employee at no cost through the Maddison National Life Insurance Company and administered by HealthTrust. A one and a half (1.5) times annual salary or $50,000 (fifty thousand dollar) minimum life benefit amount and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) is provided to eligible Westmoreland teachers and hourly staff at no cost. Life insurance goes into effect the first day an employee is eligible or begins working for the district and remains in effect until an employee either retires or resigns. Upon first becoming eligible for the District paid term life insurance, please complete the following enrollment form, sign and date and return to Human resources: Life Beneficiary Designation Form
Following is the Life Insurance Policy to print for your records.
Please note you must be logged into your SAU29 google account to view the life insurance and LTD policies.
Short Term Disability
Short-term disability (STD) for eligible employees is paid by the District at 60% of either your per diem rate (if you are paid an annual salary), or 60% of your hourly rate (for support staff). An employee is eligible for STD upon exhaustion of all sick leave OR on the 10th consecutive day out sick (whichever is later).
Long Term Disability
Long-term disability insurance is offered by the District at no cost to all eligible employees. Long-term disability (LTD) is paid as a monthly benefit by our insurance carrier at 60% of your pre-disability earnings. The benefit waiting period for long-term disability is the later of: a) 90 days; or b) the date your accumulated sick leave ends, if applicable.
Please note you must be logged into your SAU29 google account to view the life insurance and LTD policies.
Please note you must be logged into your SAU29 google account to view the life insurance and LTD policies.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Life can bring uncertainties, worries, and stress, but there is help! Life Resources is our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, and they have a FREE referral service to help with life’s challenges. This service is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and it’s completely confidential.
The Employee Assistance Program is a service provided by our insurer providing services to ALL SAU29 employees and their household members, regardless of insurance eligibility. This program is designed to assist employees and their loved ones in maintaining their work life balance. Services provided include but are not limited to assistance for health-impacting life stressors not covered by traditional medical plans including: behavioral health therapy, legal and financial consultations, support in obtaining caregiver support/access, educational and professional development, etc.
Please see the below linked flyer that describes our EAP, as well as a flyer that instructs you on how to access the new APP they have created.
The Employee Assistance Program is a service provided by our insurer providing services to ALL SAU29 employees and their household members, regardless of insurance eligibility. This program is designed to assist employees and their loved ones in maintaining their work life balance. Services provided include but are not limited to assistance for health-impacting life stressors not covered by traditional medical plans including: behavioral health therapy, legal and financial consultations, support in obtaining caregiver support/access, educational and professional development, etc.
Please see the below linked flyer that describes our EAP, as well as a flyer that instructs you on how to access the new APP they have created.