Benefits 2026-2027
Table of Contents
- Eligibililty
- Kaiser Permanente Medical Plan
- Health Savings Accounts
- Dental Plan
- Vision Plan
- Benefit Costs
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Additional Benefits
Eligibililty
Your Benefits
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Health Savings Account (if enrolled on the Kaiser High Deductible Health Plan)
- Flexible Spending Account Plans
- Employee Assistance Program
- Temporary (Sick) Leave Bank
- Retirement Plans
Family Member Eligibility
You may also enroll your eligible family members at a monthly cost. Eligible dependents include:
- Your spouse
- Common law spouse
- Domestic partner of the same sex or opposite sex
- Civil Union partner
- Eligible children
When enrolling dependents for insurance coverage full names, social security numbers and birth dates for each dependent must be provided. (Employees and their domestic partners or common law spouses must complete and sign the affidavit form, and have it notarized, in order for the domestic partner and their children to receive benefits.)
Choosing My Benefits
The annual Employee Benefits Open Enrollment period is held during the month of May.
During the annual open enrollment period, benefit-eligible employees are allowed to make the identified changes to their benefit selections. All changes made during the annual benefits open enrollment period must be submitted in writing on the appropriate enrollment/change form. The benefit plan year is July 1 of one year through June 30 of the following year. Changes submitted during the open enrollment period will become effective July 1. During the annual open enrollment period, employees will be notified of important plan changes and/or premium rate changes for the upcoming plan year.
Open Enrollment Options
- Enroll in a medical plan if previously waived coverage
- Add eligible dependents not already covered
- Remove dependents from the plans
- Enroll or re-enroll in Flexible Spending Account Plans for the next plan year of July 1 through June 30
- Waive medical and/or dental coverage for yourself and any eligible dependents
When Does Coverage Begin?
New hires must complete the enrollment process within 31 days of their date of hire; coverage is effective on the first of the month following the first day of full-time employment.
For all insurance plans, premiums are deducted from payroll checks at the end of the month prior to the month of coverage. If your coverage goes into effect the first of the month, and you will not get your first paycheck until the end of that month, the district will deduct two (2) months of premiums from your first paycheck.
Your benefit plan elections or defaulted enrollment will remain in effect until June 30th, which is the end of the plan year. You will not have an opportunity to change your benefit elections until the next annual open enrollment period held during the month of May unless it is deemed a qualifying life event.
Making Changes
Life events can occur during the plan year that may allow you to make certain changes to your benefit enrollment. Common qualifying life events include:
- Marriage
- Divorce
- Death of a spouse or dependent
- Birth or adoption of a child
It can also include a gain or loss of coverage with a spouse’s employer group plan or gain or loss of coverage with a government-sponsored health plan. If you experience a qualifying life event, you will have 31-days from the date of the qualifying life event to submit an insurance enrollment/change form and any required documentation as proof of the qualifying life event.
Kaiser Permanente Medical Plan
Kaiser HDHP members will pay the full cost of Kaiser medical services, prescription drugs and hospital services until the annual $8,000 individual deductible or $16,000 family embedded deductible has been met.
Once the annual deductible has been met, all Kaiser covered medical services & covered prescription drugs are paid 100% by Kaiser. Annual out-of-pocket maximum cost is $8,000 for individuals and $16,000 for families.
An embedded deductible means that when one family member reaches the individual $8,000 annual deductible, that family member has met their annual deductible and future eligible claims above $8,000 will be covered at 100%. The other family members’ claims will be applied to the remaining $8,000 annual family deductible.
Employees enrolled on this High Deductible Health Plan may be ELIGIBLE for a Health Savings Account (HSA) into which 27J Schools will deposit money for employees to use to help pay the plan deductible.
Plan Summary |
Kaiser Permanente |
|---|---|
| Deductible (Individual / Family) | $8,000 / $16,000 |
| Coinsurance | Plan pays 100% after deductible is met |
| Out-of-pocket Maximums (Individual / Family) | $8,000 Individual / $16,000 Family |
| Preventative Care / Routine Physical Primary Care Office Visit Specialist Care Office Visit |
No Charge (deductible does not apply) No charge after deductible No charge after deductible |
| Laboratory in Medical Office | No charge after deductible |
| X-Rays / MRI / CTScan / PETScan | No charge after deductible |
| After hours at Designated Facility | No charge after deductible |
| Emergency Room | No charge after deductible |
| Prescription Drugs | No charge after deductible |
| Inpatient Hospital | No charge after deductible |
| Outpatient Surgery | No charge after deductible |
| Durable Medical Equipment | No charge after deductible |
Can I waive coverage?
As a benefit eligible employee, you can waive medical and/or dental coverage but not vision.
Eligible dependents enrolled on a medical plan must also be enrolled on the dental plan. Enrollment of dependents on the vision plan is optional.
New employees eligible for medical coverage who do not complete an insurance enrollment/change form will automatically be enrolled on the 27J Schools “Base Health Insurance Plan."
Health Savings Accounts
A special, personal bank account for IRS qualified adult individuals covered by high-deductible health plans that allows the saving of tax-free money for out-of-pocket medical, dental and vision expenses
27J Schools contributes on a monthly basis to a Health Savings Account (HSA) for employees enrolled on the district's high-deductible health plan.
For the 2026-2027 plan year (effective July 1, 2026, July 31, 2026 paycheck), the district will deposit the following IRS annual maximum contributions to a Health Savings Account:
- $366.66 per month ($4,400 annually) for individuals
- $729.16 per month ($8,750 annually) for families into an employee’s HSA.
The IRS allows individuals age 55 or older to contribute an additional $1,000 annually to their Health Savings Account. Therefore, employees age 55 or older can voluntarily contribute personal funds up to $1,000 annually into their HSA.
Understanding How an HSA Works
Per IRS rules, only employees enrolled in a qualified High Deductible Health Plan are eligible for a Health Savings Account.
Employees are not eligible to have money deposited into a Health Savings Account if they meet any of the following criteria:
- Enrolled in a second health plan, such as a spouse’s plan, if that plan is not also a qualified high deductible plan
- Enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, or have received Veteran’s Benefits three (3) months prior to enrollment in a high deductible health plan
- Have a Healthcare Reimbursement Flexible Spending Account*
Health Savings Account are triple-tax protected because funds are deposited pre-tax, they earn interest tax-free; and you are not taxed when you withdraw the funds to pay for qualified medical expenses.
*Per IRS rules, you may not contribute to both a Healthcare Reimbursement Flexible Spending Account AND a Health Savings Account. You may, however, contribute to a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account if you have a Health Savings Account.
How Do I Use MY HSA Funds?
After enrolling, you will be sent an email from the 27J Schools Benefits Specialist with information and instructions for your health savings account at HSA Bank.
The account must be opened within 90 days of the date the first contribution is sent to HSA Bank by 27J Schools, otherwise the money will be returned to 27J Schools and you will forfeit the money.
Once you open your health savings account at HSA
Bank, you will receive an HSA Bank debit / credit card that you can use to pay for your medical expenses at the time of service, or when you are billed. We recommend that you keep all of your receipts each year in case you are ever audited by the IRS. If you were audited, you would need to prove that you used your health savings funds only for qualified medical expenses.
If you use your health savings account for an expense that is not considered an IRS qualified medical expense, you would be subject to paying tax and a 20% penalty. Please see IRS Publication 502 for a list of eligible Medical and Dental Expenses and for more information on qualified medical expenses.
Dental Plan
27J Schools offers a self-funded dental plan which means dental coverage is not purchased from an insurance company; rather the school district assumes the risk that premiums will cover the cost of dental claims and other plan expenses. The district’s self-funded dental plan allows employees to obtain dental services from any licensed dentist, orthodontist or oral surgeon. The self-funded dental plan claims administrator is Employee Benefits Management Services (EBMS). To manage your benefits, register at miBenefits.EBMS.com. There, you can access your ID card, file claims, and review claim information at any time. If you need assistance, EBMS Customer Service is available at 866-753-1491, Monday–Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m..
Deductible for Calendar Year (January 1 – December 31):
Per Person Deductible – $25 per calendar year
Per Family Deductible - Two (2) times the individual deductible
NOTE: When both the employee and spouse are employed by 27J Schools and are enrolled individually in the Plan, the Family Deductible shall be considered to have been satisfied for both once two individual deductibles have been met under either’s coverage.
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Orthodontic Services | $2,000 per person per lifetime |
| Description | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Preventative/Diagnostic Services | 90%, deductible waived |
| Basic Services | 80%, after the deductible |
| Major Services | 50%, after the deductible |
| Orthodontic Services | 50%, deductible waived |
| Description | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Cleanings and/or Scalings | 2 per calendar year* |
| Fluoride Treatments | 1 per calendar year up to age 19 |
| Oral Examinations (Routine) | 2 per calendar year |
| Description | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Full-mouth or Panorex x-rays | 1 series per 3 consecutive calendar years |
| Bitewing x-rays | 2 pair of supplemental bitewings per calendar year |
*2 additional scalings per calendar year are eligible for payment under the Major Services benefit after two (2) have been incurred under the Preventive Services benefit.
Vision Plan
The 27J Schools Vision Plan is offered through Vision Service Plan (VSP). You will not receive an ID card for the vision plan. Once enrolled, you may simply select an eye doctor from the VSP list of participating doctors that can be found online at www.vsp.com. Notify the eye doctor that you have VSP coverage at the time you make your eye appointment. The eye doctor’s office will verify your coverage with VSP prior to your eye exam. Services and materials provided from an out-of-network provider are allowed at a reduced payment schedule. The annual plan year is July 1 through June 30.
| BENEFIT | DESCRIPTION | COPAY | FREQUENCY |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELLVISION EXAM |
|
$20 Up to $39 |
Every plan Year* |
| ESSENTIAL MEDICAL EYE CARE |
|
$20 per exam | Available as needed |
| Benefit | DESCRIPTION | COPAY | FREQUENCY |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRAME* |
|
Included in Prescription Glasses | Every other plan year |
| LENSES |
|
Included in Prescription Glasses | Every plan year |
| LENS ENHANCEMENTS |
|
$0 $95-$105 $150-$175 |
Every plan year |
| CONTACTS (INSTEAD OF GLASSES) |
|
Up to $60 | Every plan year |
| VSP LIGHTCARE** |
|
$20 | Every other plan year |
| ADDITIONAL SAVINGS | Glasses and Sunglasses
|
NA | NA |
YOUR COVERAGE WITH A VSP DOCTOR
-
WELLVISION EXAM
- Focuses on your eyes and overall wellness - $20
- Routine retinal screening - Up to $39
Frequency - Every Plan Year*
-
Essential Medical Eye Care
- Retinal imaging for members with diabetes covered in-full
- Additional exams and services beyond routine care to treat immediate issues from pink eye to sudden changes in vision or to monitor ongoing conditions such as dry eye, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, and more.
- Coordination with your medical coverage mage apply. Ask your VSP network doctor for details
$20 per exam
Available as needed
PRESCRIPTION GLASSES
-
Frame*
- $210 Featured Frame Brands allowance
- $190 frame allowance
- 20% savings on the amount over your allowance
- $105 Walmart/Sam's Club/Costco frame allowance
CoPay Included in Prescription Glasses
Available every other plan year
-
Lenses
- Single vision, lined bifocal, and lined trifocal lenses
- Impact-resistant lenses for dependent children
CoPay Included in Prescription Glasses
Available every other plan year
-
Lens Enhancements
- Standard progressive lenses - $0
- Premium progressive lenses - $95-$105
- Custom progressive lenses - $150-$175
- Average savings of 30% on other lens enhancements
Available every plan year
-
Contacts (Instead of Glasses)
- $170 allowance for contacts; copay does not apply
- Contact lens exam (fitting and evaluation)
Copay - up to $60
Available every plan year
-
VSP Lightcare**
- $190 allowance for ready-made non-prescription sunglasses, or ready-made non-prescription blue light filtering glasses, instead of prescription glasses or contacts
Copay - $20
Available every other plan year
-
Additional Savings
Glasses and Sunglasses
- Discover all current eyewear offers and savings at vsp.com/offers.
- 20% Savings on unlimited additional pairs of prescription or non-prescription glasses/sungasses, including lens enhancements, from a VSP provider within 12 months of your last WellVision Exam.
Laser Vision Correction
- Average of 15% off the regular price; discounts available at contracted facilities.
Exclusive Member Extras for VSP Members
- Contact lens rebates, lens satisfaction guarantees, and more offers at vsp.com/offers.
- Save up to 60% on digital hearing aids with TruHearing*. Visit vsp.com/offers/special-offers/hearing-aids for details.
- Enjoy everyday savings on health, wellness, and more with VSP Simple Values.
Benefit Costs
Monthly Employee Insurance Premium Rates
Rates for Plan Year: July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027
Proposed cost for all employees (including HSA Contribution)
| Insurance Plan - Type of Coverage | 2026 - 2027 Monthly Employee Cost for Payroll Deduction |
|---|---|
| Kaiser $8,000 / $16,000 HDHP with HSA - Employee Only | $0.00 |
| Kaiser HDHP with HSA - Employee/Spouse | $1,074.20 |
| Kaiser HDHP with HSA - Employee/Child(ren) | $852.50 |
| Kaiser HDHP with HSA - Employee/Spouse/Child(ren) | $1,406.71 |
| Insurance Plan - Type of Coverage | 2026 - 2027 Monthly Employee Cost for Payroll Deduction |
|---|---|
| Dental Insurance - Employee Only | $0.00 |
| Dental Insurance - Employee/Spouse | $44.63 |
| Dental Insurance - Employee/Child(ren) | $32.72 |
| Dental Insurance - Employee/Spouse/Child(ren) | $76.02 |
| Insurance Plan - Type of Coverage | 2026 - 2027 Monthly Employee Cost for Payroll Deduction |
|---|---|
| Vision Insurance Employee Only | $0.00 |
| Vision Insurance Employee/Spouse | $2.61 |
| Vision Insurance Employee/Child(ren) | $2.79 |
| Vision Insurance Employee/Spouse/Child(ren) | $11.12 |
Your contributions toward the cost of benefits are automatically deducted from your paycheck at the end of the month prior to the month of coverage. The amount will depend upon the plan you select and if you choose to cover eligible family members.
Pre-Tax Premium Payment Option
The pre-tax premium payment option allows you to deduct premiums for health, dental and vision coverage from your monthly pay before the calculation of federal, state and Medicare taxes and your mandatory PERA retirement contribution. This pre-tax premium payment option reduces your taxable income and PERA Includable Salary and increases your take-home pay. PERA members may want to carefully consider whether to participate during their three to five highest earning years as pre-tax flexible spending deductions could reduce your PERA retirement benefit for the rest of your life.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts allow you to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses using tax-free dollars
The money you contribute into an Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is taken from your pay before your taxes are calculated which decreases your taxable income and increases your take-home pay.
There are two types of FSAs, administered by HSA Bank:
- The Health Care FSA (if not enrolled on the Kaiser HDHP with HSA)
- Dependent Care FSA
Because flexible spending accounts provide tax advantages, the federal government imposes strict rules and limitations on enrolling, making changes, or using these accounts. You should consult with your tax advisor or the IRS for guidance on how these options might affect your personal tax status. You should contact the Public Employees’ Retirement Association on how these options may affect your retirement benefits.
How Can I Use MY FSA Funds?
Health Care FSA
If you have chosen to waive the 27J medical plan or if you are enrolled on a plan that is not a qualifying high deductible health plan, the Health Care FSA can be used to pay for a variety of medical, dental, and vision expenses for you, your spouse and your dependents, even if your dependents aren’t covered on your district’s medical plan.
You must contribute a minimum of $30 per month and a maximum of $200 per month or $2,400 per tax year to your Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
Dependent Care FSA
The Dependent Care FSA can be used to provide daycare for your children under 13 years of age and/or for your spouse or other dependent who is mentally or physically incapable of self-care and who live in your home at least 8 hours a day.
You may contribute a minimum of $30 per month and a maximum of $416.66 per month per household. The IRS imposes a $5,000 maximum contribution per tax year, January 1st through December 31st. If you are married and file separate tax returns, each of you has a $2,500 maximum Dependent Care FSA contribution limit.
Reimbursements from your Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account may reduce or eliminate dependent care tax credits allowed on your federal income tax return. It is best to discuss your situation with a tax advisor or refer to the IRS for guidance.
Enrolling in an FSA
If you enroll during the annual open enrollment period in May, the annual FSA amount will be divided over the twelve months of the plan year, which is July 1 through June 30. The first payroll deduction of the new plan year will begin on the July payroll.
For new employees, the FSA election deduction will begin on the first paycheck and continue through the following June payroll. It is important to note that you will have to re-enroll during every annual open enrollment period if you wish to continue participation in the FSA the following plan year that begins July 1st. The IRS will not allow you to make contributions to both a Health Care Flexible Spending Account and a Health Savings Account.
Don't Forget
Flexible Spending Account expenses must be incurred within the plan year or the funds are forfeited.
Additional Benefits
Temporary (Sick) Leave Bank
Classified, Professional/Technical Employees, Certified Employees and Administrators are eligible to participate in one of the two voluntary Temporary/Sick Leave Banks. Membership in the Temporary/Sick Leave Bank is offered in lieu of disability insurance. Temporary/Sick Leave Banks allow employees to donate a portion of their paid leave balance into a Temporary/Sick Leave Bank to assist other participating employees. Membership requirements are slightly different for each leave bank. Refer to the appropriate union agreement at sd27j.org for details.
The purpose of the temporary leave bank is to allow bank members to “draw” temporary leave days if their serious illness or injury or the serious illness or injury of an immediate family member extends beyond the number of their own accumulated temporary leave days. If a bank member needs to request days from the Temporary/Sick Leave Bank, a Temporary/Sick Leave Bank Application Form along with a Physician’s Verification of Medical Absence Form must be completed and submitted to the 27J Schools Human Resources Office.
Basic Group Term Life Insurance
The purpose of life insurance is to ensure the financial security of your family in the event of your death or dismemberment. 27J Schools offers group term life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage with The Standard Insurance Company. All eligible employees will have life insurance coverage in the amount of two (2) times the employee’s annual base salary, rounded to the nearest thousand. It is important to name your beneficiaries on the enrollment form for your life insurance policy.
The Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) offers voluntary Unum decreasing term life insurance to PERA members. PERA members must enroll within 90 days of first becoming a PERA member or during the annual PERA Life Insurance open enrollment period each year. If interested, contact PERA at 303-832-9550 or visit the PERA web site at www.copera.org. Unum life insurance enrollment is not handled by 27J Schools.
Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) and Voluntary Retirement Plans
Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association or Colorado PERA is a mandatory retirement plan in lieu of Social Security for all Colorado school district employees. 11.00% of the total adjusted gross salary is deducted from the employee's salary and deposited into the employee’s PERA retirement account. For the current year, the mandatory school district employer contribution into the PERA Trust Fund is 21.40% of the total adjusted gross salary. For more information call PERA at 303-832-9550 or 1-800-759-7372 or visit the PERA website at https://www.copera.org.
27J Schools also offers voluntary 403(b) Tax Sheltered Annuity Retirement Plans. If you want to participate in a 403(b), you must first open your voluntary retirement account by contacting a 403(b) provider listed on the OMNI website (www.omni403b.com) Employees may also participate in the PERAPlus 401(k) voluntary retirement savings plan. 27J Schools does NOT match contributions an employee makes into their PERAPlus 401k account. Empower Retirement is the 401(k) plan record keeper. Information about the PERA Plus 401(k) plan is available on the PERA web site, https://www.copera.org