Whitfield County Schools is pleased to offer you a comprehensive voluntary benefits package, which offers cost effective financial protection for you and your family. This benefits website provides an overview of all of your benefits and premiums, along with important forms and documents, provider contacts, information for new hires, and more. Please take the time to review this information carefully.
Enroll Now!Access the enrollment portal by clicking "Enroll Now" above, and view your current benefits, make updates for the plan year, and update your life insurance beneficiary. To complete an election, select the appropriate event and click "Begin Event." You can also view your benefits by clicking on the Benefit Statement Date Range at the bottom of the homepage to access a PDF of your current Confirmation Statement.
You may access https://shbp.georgia.gov/ or call (800) 610-1863 for medical plan information.
Additional product and carrier information can be found on the Resources page. In addition to this website, the Benefits Service Center is another resource for enrollment assistance, benefits questions, and Annual Enrollment Support. We can help with:
Accidents are usually followed by a series of bills. Even if you have medical insurance, you may still have to cover out-of-pocket costs. If you suffer from a fracture, dislocation, or other covered accidental injury, Accident Insurance can help offset unexpected medical expenses, such as emergency room bills, deductibles, and co-payments. When an unexpected injury happens, Accident Insurance can help offset costs that are not covered by your medical plan.
Our vision changes over time, so you may not be aware of your need for vision correction. That’s why an annual eye exam is critical to keeping your view of the world sharp and clear. Vision Insurance helps offset the costs of routine checkups and vision correction wear that may be prescribed. Routine eye exams are a preventive measure for maintaining your overall health and wellness, and your doctor will look for vision problems and signs of serious medical conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, and even cancer.
Pet Insurance includes the flexibility to use any vet for your pet’s services, and no pre-certifications or pre-approvals are required. You can get cash back for accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, and more! With two budget-friendly options, there’s never been a better time to protect your pet and plans are available for dogs, cats, birds, and exotic pets. Claims can easily be filed online for reimbursement.
Dental Insurance is designed to offer you coverage for common dental care issues and to help you budget for dental services. You pay for a certain amount out-of-pocket for services covered by your plan before your insurance starts paying (known as your deductible). Under this plan, the deductible is waived for preventive services like exams, cleanings, and x-rays. After you meet your deductible, you’re responsible for a percentage of covered expenses, which is called co-insurance.
Cancer plus critical illness insurance helps you and your family maintain financial security during the recovery period of a serious medical event, such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke. The benefit provides a monetary benefit to help with the out-of-pocket medical and non-medical expenses of the illness, and coverage is available to both employees and their families.
Open Enrollment is from Tuesday, October 15 through Friday, November 8. Although you are not required to complete an active election for medical or voluntary benefits (except FSA), this is a great time to view your personal information, plan options, and life insurance beneficiary information.
The Whitfield County Schools retirement program is made up of multiple parts: Social Security and either the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) or the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS), and personal retirement plan options. If you want to learn more about how our retirement plans work, and how to make sure you get the most out of your retirement, click the link below.
The Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) allow you to set aside pre-tax funds that are available for healthcare and dependent day care expenses. You may enroll in the Healthcare FSA (for medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, and other related expenses) and / or the Dependent Care FSA (primarily for dependent day care expenses).
Identity theft is a growing concern, and recent research estimates that someone has their identity stolen every two seconds, and many people don't even know they are victimized until they're denied credit. Identity theft victims typically spend an average of 165 hours repairing the damage done by the creation of fraudulent accounts, and an additional 58 hours on existing accounts. The ID Watchdog plan has extensive protection for you and your family at a competitive cost.
ShareCare is the wellness program vendor for the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP), and they provide comprehensive well-being and incentive programs for members. As you complete wellness activities, you will earn points in your Health Incentive Account to help offset your medical expenses. High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) members must meet a portion of the deductible before well-being points may be used.
As a Whitfield County Schools employee, you receive employer-provided sick leave and you have the option to elect disability coverage. These benefits provide you with income replacement should you miss work due to illness or an accident. If you become ill or injured, your accumulated sick days must be used first. Once your sick leave is exhausted, the disability plan pays a benefit. The disability benefit is reduced by any other income you receive while on disability such as Social Security and Teacher’s Retirement.
You have a choice of several benefit start dates, and it’s important to consider your sick leave balance when electing your disability option. Be sure to elect a waiting period that exceeds your sick leave balance to help manage your premiums. If you are a new employee, keep in mind the district does not advance sick leave. You may need a shorter waiting period disability option if you have a limited number of sick days.
The disability plan pays a benefit until age 65 should you remain disabled. This provides you with financial protection in the event of a catastrophic illness or injury.
Finding an affordable lawyer to represent you when you have trouble with identity theft, buying or selling your home, or even preparing your will can be a challenge. ARAG Legal is a smart, simple, affordable solution to all of your legal needs. With ARAG Legal, you can receive fully covered legal services for a wide range of personal legal matters.
Life Insurance can help provide financial protection for your family if you pass away. The money received from a life insurance policy could help your family with both everyday and future expenses, including medical bills, funeral costs, utilities, college tuition, and mortgage payments. Life Insurance provides you with coverage as long as you continue paying your monthly premium.
Your cost will vary depending on your age and amount of coverage you elect. It is important to assess your current and future financial obligations to help you determine the coverage that's right for you. Our Benefits Service Center Specialists can help you make the right decision for you and your family.
Dental Insurance is designed to offer you coverage for common dental care issues and to help you budget for dental services. You pay for a certain amount out-of-pocket for services covered by your plan before your insurance starts paying (known as your deductible). Under this plan, the deductible is waived for preventive services like exams, cleanings, and x-rays. After you meet your deductible, you’re responsible for a percentage of covered expenses, which is called co-insurance.
There are two health plan carriers available to employees and their families: Anthem and UnitedHealthcare (UHC). Each carrier has multiple plan options available, and each plan includes coverage for preventive care, visits to primary care and specialty care providers, coverage for hospital stays, and visits to urgent care & the emergency room. When thinking about your health benefits, don’t look at just one thing - like your contributions or the deductible - be sure to consider the whole picture!