The FCSU and its Member Schools provide coverage options through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont and the Vermont Education Health Initiative [VEHI].

There are three plans offered:

• Vermont Health Partnership, a point-of-service plan.
• 250 Comprehensive, a fee-for-service plan.
• JY MB Plan.
• Compare Our Plans »

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont
As part of your FCSU Member Benefit, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont provides more than just insurance coverage. Once enrolled, we strongly encourage you to create a BC/BS member login to manage your personal information and to access all the programs and products available to you.

• Application / Enrollment / Change Form

Declaration of Health Care Coverage
Must be completed annually if you decide against enrollment in your district’s health insurance. This form allows us to remain compliant with the State of Vermont’s health care coverage initiatives.

Alternative Benefit [Cash Option]
In certain cases, you may be eligible for a cash option in lieu of health care coverage. Amounts vary by agreement and by eligible level of coverage. Election of this benefit is included on the Flexible Spending Election Form and must be completed each year.

The FCSU and it's Member Schools provide coverage to eligible employees through Northeast Delta Dental.

"Delta" is a preferred provider plan. You may use other providers, however, Delta may not pay all charges.

K-8 Member Schools: The dental coverage does require a 30-day waiting period. Insurance coverage begins on the first day of the month following the first ‘full’ month of employment.

For more information:

• Summary Plan Description
• Application / Change Form
• Northeast Delta Dental - Enroll and Have Access to Your Personal Account where you can:
  • Search for a Participating Dentist
  • Lookup Benefits and Balances
  • Get Dental Health Tips
  • Lookup Your Claims
  • Print Forms
  • Request additional identification cards
  • See Helpful FAQ’s
  • …and Other Valuable Information

Members of NE Delta’s Insurance Plan are also the beneficiaries of a vision discount program. For more information: www.eyemedvisioncare.com/deltadental.

The FCSU and it's Member Schools provide the following pre-tax benefit options:

The 125 Cafeteria Account plan allows eligible faculty and staff to have a portion of the premium payment for health and dental insurances deducted from their pay on a pre-tax basis.

The 125 Flexible Spending Account also has an option for eligible faculty and staff to have pre-taxed payroll deductions for eligible health and/or dependent care expenses.

• Employees do not have to be a participant in the group health plans in order to enroll in this option.
• There are date sensitive criteria with these plans that require a ‘use it or lose it’ proposition.
• These accounts are optional and are subject to conditions found in IRS regulations.
• Employees may be responsible for an administrative fee of $2.75 per month to maintain the plan.

Employees must submit a form each year, to the benefit coordinator whether enrolling in any, all or none of the options regarding flexible spending arrangements.

• Full Forms Kit
  Contains worksheets, forms, lists, plan description and the enrollment form; all you need for the program
  • OTC Medications FY12
  • Health Reimbursement Form
  • Dependent Care Reimbursement Form
• FY12 Enrollment form
  Flexible spending form includes an area in which the employee may elect "cash in lieu" of health insurance. [Cash Option]
• Other Terms and Conditions Statement
  Please read this statement before completing your enrollment form
• Personal Information Form
  This form, along with the enrollment form, is provided to the third party administrator and is used to manage employee accounts.

The third party administrator of our plan is:

Future Planning Associates
18 Blair Park, PO Box 905
Williston, VT 05495

our representative; Christine Leahy, 857-0700

Life and Accidental Death or Dismemberment Insurance
Group Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurances are provided to eligible employees in amounts pursuant to employment guidelines or a negotiated Master Agreement.

Eligible staff members are automatically enrolled in the life insurance provided to them as a district provided benefit.

Initial beneficiary choices remain until a replacement is received by the employee.

• Beneficiary Form

Voluntary Long Term Disability Plan (LTD)
The FCSU and some of its Member Organizations (see the benefits coordinator) have access to an LTD plan which provides a source of income should covered individuals become disabled and unable to work for an extended period of time. Plan features include a benefit for documented/approved disabilities of up to 60% of salary for up to 5 years or to age 70.

State Employees Retirement Systems:

The Vermont State Teachers Retirement System (VSTRS) is the public pension plan provided by the State of Vermont for State teachers. It was created in 1947 and is governed by Vermont Statute Title 16, Chapter 55. The State of Vermont Retirement Board of Trustees is responsible for the administration of the system. In order to be enrolled in VSTRS, you must meet the definition of a “teacher” according to VSTRS eligibility criteria.

VSTRS requires an employee contribution of 5% of annualized salary.

The FCSU and all member schools are active contributors to the VSTRS system, participation is mandatory. No action is necessary on the employee’s part as enrollment is automatic.

The Vermont Municipal Employee’s Retirement System(VMERS) :
Vermont Municipal Employees Retirement System (VMERS) is the public pension plan for participating municipal employees and is provided by the State of Vermont. It was created in 1975 and is governed by Vermont Statute Title 24, Chapter 125. The Vermont Municipal Board of Trustees is responsible for the administration and benefits of the system, and record keeping for the membership.

Enrolling in VMERS for eligible employees of SATEC, CO, and FFCS is conducted at the time of hiring with your Benefits Coordinator.

Once you are enrolled in either system, the State Retirement Office will contact you directly with periodic benefit updates, and information requests.

Learn more about VSTRS and VMERS at www.vermonttreasurer.gov, or by calling the State of Vermont Retirement Office 1-802-828-2305

Tax Deferred Retirement Options:

Please consult a tax advisor for information about what is right for you.

§403(b) Plan
Eligible employees of the FCSU and its member schools may elect to participate in a tax deferred income arrangement provided in § 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. The FCSU's 403(b) plan authorizes deferrals solely to the State of Vermont 403(b) program, currently through Great West.

§457(b) Plan
Employees of governmental entities in the state of Vermont are eligible to participate in a deferred compensation program as provided in §457 of the Internal Revenue Code. The FCSU's 457(b) plan authorizes deferrals solely to the State of Vermont 457(b) program, currently through Great West.

Interested employees should contact the:

• Often Asked Q & A's
• Forms
  • 403(b) Enrollment
  • 403(b) Personal Information Change
  • 403(b) Salary Deferment Change Request
  • 457(b) Salary Deferment Change Request
  • FY11 Universal Availability - Must be completed by all regular staff every year at the beginning of the school year

A Written Plan Document describing the eligibility requirements, benefits, contribution and distribution limitations as well as the vendor(s) approved under the plan has been adopted by the FCSU for its members. The investment lineup offers something for all types of investors from participants who do not wish to actively select and monitor their investments, to an option with Charles Schwab (CS) for the more active investor. A state based committee monitors the funding vehicle(s). Please read the attached Q & A’s and all documentation you receive thoroughly.

2010-10-15 - Federal Update: Transparency

Great-West Retirement Services®

Great-West Retirement Services® (Great-West) Introduces Enhanced Retirement Education Services

The FCSU and its member schools has a Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program which may provide for payment of medical expenses and lost wages for employees who experience an identified work-related injuries or illness. Our insurance provider and administrator is VSBIT’s Multi-Line Inter-municipal School Program.

Initial Reporting and Medical Treatment

• The Employee or immediate Supervisor must complete the FCSU EMPLOYEE'S FIRST REPORT OF INJURY
  • Immediately or ASAP and always within 24 hours of the incident
  • Getting initial information to the Benefits Coordinator is most urgent – residual information or signatures can be forwarded after the fact
  • FAX the form to the FCSU, Attn: Benefits Coordinator at 524-1540
• If medical attention is necessary due to a work related injury, proceed to the:
  Northwestern Occupational Health Center
  Cobblestone Health Commons
  260 Crest Road, Suite #101
  St. Albans, VT 05478
  P: 524.1223
  Directions»
• Work-related “911” conditions which should be directed to the Emergency Dept:
  • ELECTRICAL INJURY - with chest pain, large burns or confusion
  • LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS - for any reason
  • FALLS - with neck or back pain requiring ambulance transportation
  • LACERATIONS - large/uncontrolled bleeding

Although we encourage follow up medical visits to NOH, an employee may change doctors after the initial visit by completing the Notice of Intent to Change Health Care Provider and submitting it to Franklin Central Supervisory Union, Attn: Benefits Coordinator.

Lost time from work:

• The first (3) three days are treated as “WC/S”[workers compensation / sick] and the time is deducted from available sick time.
  Tip: write wc/s on your timesheet.
• After the first (3) three days, any time missed is recorded as “WC”on the timesheet. The employee will not receive wages from the school as the Workers Compensation comprehensive payment may be active at that point.
• In the rare case that an employee is out for WC for greater than (10) ten days, the employee may be eligible to receive wages from the insurance plan for the first (3) three days that have already been paid as sick time. In this case, the employee must return the gross wages that they have received for the (3) three WC/S days. If the three (3) days were deducted from the employee’s available sick time, these days will be reinstated.

Medical Certification / Billing

If a provider asks for billing information, give them the insurance carrier information below:

VSBIT Multi-line Program
79 River Street
3rd Floor, Suite 301
Montpelier, VT 05602
P: 802.223.6132, F: 802.223.6135

For claim specific information such as a claim number or adjuster name they will have to speak with the FCSU Benefits Coordinator at 524.2600.

A Certification of Health Care Provider is required if the injury results in lost time and for consideration for extended rights under the definition of a “serious health condition” under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and/or the Vermont Parental and Family Leave Law (VPFL).

If the employee’s injury results in lost time, and/or medical treatment beyond first aid, the employee must have the treating health care provider complete a Work Capabilities Form. This information shall be needed to determine any work limitations following the injury/illness and must be received by the Benefits Coordinator prior to the employee resuming duties.

Franklin Central Supervisory Union and its member schools provide the following programs in the interest of employee safety and Wellness:

Return-To-Work Program:

The FCSU is part of a pilot program with the Vermont School Board Insurance Trusts Multi-line Program. The goal of this program includes a team approach to promote rehabilitation and to create a bridge to assist in the employee’s efforts toward full recovery and a return to full duty work.

Prevail [Proactive Resources Empowering Vermont Schools Achievements In Loss Control]:

Through it’s partnership with VSBIT the FCSU and its member schools have access to training opportunities and information resources that culminate in Prevail Points; a system in which we earn safety merchandise through our efforts in advancing our knowledge in this area.

We continue with compliance audits with the Vermont School Boards Insurance Trust Multi-line Program, reviewing different facets of our facilities and practices.

The success of any program is dependent upon all parties being involved. If you see a potential hazard of any kind, please report it to school administrators, including, but not limited to Principals/Directors, Department Heads or Facility Managers/Coordinators.

In spite of all our efforts to create a safe working environment, injuries or illnesses may occur. If that is the case you must notify your building Administrator of any workplace injury or illness.