412.3 Classified Employee Group Benefits

Classified employees may be eligible for group benefits as determined by the board and required by law. The board will select the group benefit program(s) and the insurance company or third party administrator which will provide or administer the program. Single health insurance coverage will be offered to the following: Cooks, Custodians, and Full-Time Office Managers.

In accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), the board will offer classified employees, who are expected to work an average of at least thirty (30) hours per week or one hundred thirty (130) hours per month, based on the measurement method adopted by the board, with minimum essential coverage that is both affordable and provides minimum value.  The board will utilize the applicable measurement period to determine whether variable hourly employees qualify for an offer of insurance coverage under the district’s group health plan.  The board will have the authority and right to change or eliminate group benefit programs, other than the group health plan, for its licensed employees.

Classified employees, who work an average of at least thirty (30) hours per week or one hundred thirty (130) hours per month, based on the measurement method adopted by the board, are eligible to participate in the group health plan. Classified employees who work twenty (20) per week are eligible to participate in dental, vision, term life, cancer, short-term disability, accident, and specified critical illness group insurance plans. Employers should maintain documents regarding eligible employees acceptance and rejection of coverage.

Regular part-time classified employees (i.e., employees who work less than 30 hours per week or 130 hours per month for health benefit purposes or employees who work less than twenty (20) per week for benefits other than health) who wish to purchase coverage may participate in group benefit programs by meeting the requirements of the applicable plan. Full-time and regular part-time classified employees who wish to purchase coverage for their spouse or dependents may do so by meeting the requirements of the applicable plan.

Classified employees and their spouse and dependents may be allowed to continue coverage of the school district’s group health insurance program if they cease employment with the school district by meeting the requirements of the insurer.

Legal Reference:      Iowa Code §§ 20.9; 85; 85B; 279.12; 509; 509A; 509B.

Internal Revenue Code § 4980H(c)(4); Treas. Reg. § 54.4980H-1(a)(21)(ii).

Shared Responsibility for Employers Regarding Health Coverage, 26 CFR Parts 1, 54 and 301, 78 Fed. Reg. 217, (Jan 2, 2013).

Shared Responsibility for Employers Regarding Health Coverage, 26 CFR Parts 1, 54 and 301, 79 Fed. Reg. 8543 (Feb. 12, 2014).

Cross Reference:       411.1   Classified Employee Defined

Approved   2/8/2022   Reviewed                    Revised