New for 2026!
Spousal Surcharge
Beginning October 1, 2026, there will be a $35 surcharge per pay period for employees who enroll their spouse on the District's medical plan when the spouse has access to other employer-sponsored coverage. Employees will be required to attest to whether their spouse has other health insurance available.
Healthy Actions Initiative
Beginning in the 2026–2027 plan year, employees will have the opportunity to participate in a voluntary wellness initiative designed to support healthy habits, including completing a Personal Health Assessment (PHA) and an Annual Health Checkup (annual wellness exam verified through medical claims). Employees who choose not to participate will be subject to a standard-rate surcharge of $10 per pay period.
Medical Plan Design Changes
Beginning October 1, 2026, the Choice HMO and Choice Plus plans will include lower copays for certain services, such as Primary Care and Urgent Care visits. Copays for Emergency Room visits will increase. Please see the Medical Overview section for a full summary of plan design changes.
Pharmacy Changes Delayed
The District has decided to place a one-year moratorium on the planned pharmacy benefit changes that were previously communicated. As a result, the current prescription drug coverage will remain in place for the upcoming plan year, and the changes affecting certain preventive brand-name medications will not take effect at this time. This delay is intended to give employees and covered family members additional time to work with their healthcare providers, review treatment options, and evaluate potential alternatives to brand-name medications before any future changes are considered.
Rate Increases
Updated 9/3/2026
After nearly eight years without increases to employee medical contributions, adjustments to medical premium rates are necessary to help support the long-term sustainability of the District's benefits program. The District will continue to pay a significant share of healthcare costs while maintaining comprehensive benefits coverage for employees. The medical premiums shown below reflect the final rates negotiated and approved by the District for the 2026 - 2027 plan year. Due to differences in claims experience and utilization among the available medical plans, premium adjustments vary by plan option and coverage tier. Please note that these rates are effective retroactively to October 1, 2026. Any payroll adjustments necessary to reconcile premium contributions back to the effective date will be applied across October paychecks. The amount of any adjustment will depend on the medical plan and coverage tier in which you are enrolled.