The Buchanan County School Board unanimously approved an employee health insurance renewal on Sept. 15 that continues coverage for another year with a 10% increase in premium rates.
Knox school board member Tommy Blankenship moved to approve the agreement, and Garden school board member Ray Blankenship seconded it.
The renewal covers Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027, and continues the school system’s participation in the Buchanan County consolidated insurance group. Other participants include the Board of Supervisors, Public Service Authority and Department of Social Services.
Coverage will continue through Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield under the Customized PPO KeyCare 300 plan. Innovative Insurance negotiated the renewal, according to the resolution.
For the school system, the agreement lists approximately $7.57 million in annual health insurance funding, payable in 12 installments. The amount is based on insurance enrollment as of July 1 and will be adjusted as employees enter or leave coverage.
Monthly premium rates are $1,009.37 for employee-only coverage, $1,514.03 for employee-and-child coverage, $2,270.71 for employee-and-spouse coverage and $2,937.25 for family coverage.
These are the total coverage rates listed in the agreement. The resolution does not identify the portion employees will pay through payroll deductions.
The consolidated group will continue operating a partially self-insured plan, with participating agencies assuming some of the financial risk for medical claims. Monthly payments go into a fund used to cover claims and administrative expenses.
The 10% increase follows another 10% increase for the previous plan year and a 5% increase for the year before that, according to the resolution.
The agreement also continues optional dental insurance through Delta Dental for school employees and provides for air medical flight insurance through AirMedCare.
The resolution authorizes the School Board chairman, superintendent and clerk to execute the agreement on behalf of the school system.
