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Health Insurance Change Information Hub

Health Insurance Change Information Hub

Welcome to the Health & Welfare Benefit Transition Information Hub!

On August 6th, 2025, Amador County Unified School District (USD) and Amador County Office of Education (COE) Board of Trustees approved the recommendation to pursue Health & Welfare Benefits with CalPERS effective October 1st, 2025. Click here to watch the recording of this board meeting. 

 

Background and Need for Transition:

In October 2023, Amador County USD and COE transitioned the administration of our Health & Welfare benefits from CVT to NewFront. This shift moved us from a traditional insurance pool to a self-insured model, with the goal of achieving greater flexibility and control over our benefit rates, plan design, costs, and the option for employees to opt out.

However, this self-insured model has also exposed the USD and COE to increased financial risk associated with higher-than-expected medical claims. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, we incurred over $1.2 million in excess claims and other self-insured related expenditures, and a similar amount is projected for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Additionally, we experienced a significant 15% premium increase for our Anthem plans, even after NewFront initially proposed a much larger 40% increase.

The combination of rising premium costs and annual excess claims exceeding $1.2 million has made our current self-insured model financially unsustainable. As a result, the USD and COE began an exhaustive search spanning over 10 months to find a new provider. Due to our large excess claims and high volume of waivers/opt-outs, the majority of groups that were approached “declined to quote,” and so we were left with either CalPERS or remaining self-insured. With self-insurance equating to a 72%+ increase in rates and self-insurance as a model being unsustainable with high risk exposure, the recommendation to the board was to transition to CalPERS.    

 

What You Can Do

To help you prepare, please review the following resources:

  • Plan Rates: Review the 12-month rate sheet with our current contribution levels.
  • Zip Code Search Tool: This tool allows you to see which plans and doctors are available in your area.
  • Medication Tools: Review what prescriptions are covered under the new plans.
  • Plan Summaries: Review the plan summaries to learn more about the detailed coverages of each plan.
    • 2025 Benefit Summary 
    • 2026 Benefit Summary: CalPERS tentative date for release (September 8, 2025)

We are also finalizing dates for upcoming Health Fairs during the first open enrollment period, where you can meet with plan vendors and ask questions to the experts.  Additional information available below in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) section.

 

Open Enrollment & Plan Year

CalPERS' medical plans operate on a calendar year (January 1 to December 31). Because our current plan year ends on September 30, we will have two open enrollment periods to transition to the new schedule.

  • First Open Enrollment:
    • Tentative Dates: September 8-18, 2025
    • Effective Dates: October 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025 (a three-month plan)
  • Second Open Enrollment:
    • Tentative Dates: September 29, 2025, through October 10, 2025
    • Effective Dates: January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026 (a full-year plan)

Both enrollment periods will be held through the American Fidelity AF Enroll platform. We will provide more information on how to enroll soon.

 

California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS)

Alliant Links & Information:

Alliant Website
Alliant Presentation – Introduction to Alliant
Alliant Presentation – Medical Benefits Discussion (May 14 Mtg.)

 

Questions? Contact our payroll team!
Email: payroll@acusd.org
Phone: (209) 257-5425

 

Meeting Regarding CalPERS Decision:

This was a meeting held on August 6th, 2025, for Union Leaders and USD & COE staff who signed up for meetings. At this meeting, Alliant was in attendance with USD & COE staff and provided information regarding our search for a new provider, self-insurance renewal information, and other ancillary options leading to the CalPERS recommendation. This is a great opportunity to learn more about why the USD and COE recommended CalPERS to the board.

  • Date: Wednesday, August 6th, 2025
  • Time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Meeting recording
    • Passcode: !1AxC*^p
  • Attendees: Alliant, ACUSD & ACOE Staff
  • Topics:
    • Review of Available Insurance Options
      • Self-Insured Renewal
      • CalPERS
    • Review of Ancillary Plans
      • Dental, Vision & EAP
    • Questions from staff regarding transition

 

Meeting with CalPERS

This was a meeting held on May 29th, 2025, for all USD & COE staff. At this meeting, CalPERS was in attendance and provided information regarding the various plans, offerings, and benefits of being with CalPERS. This is a great opportunity to hear from CalPERS.

  • Date: Thursday, May 29th, 2025
  • Time: 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
  • Meeting Recording 
    • Password: %Rj8v9$0
  • Attendees: CalPERS (including Alliant, ACUSD & ACOE Staff)
  • Topics:
    • Review of Plan Options / Rates
    • Review of Products & Services
    • Opportunity for Questions to CalPERS Representative(s)

Information on previous meetings can be found further down on this page.

California’s Valued Trust (CVT)

Meeting scheduled for May 28, 2025. 

 

Archived Meetings

Update Meeting
Subject: This was a meeting held on May 14th, 2025, for all USD & COE staff. At this meeting, Alliant was in attendance and provided information regarding updates around various groups, our benefits survey, and more. This conversation was prior to CVT declining to quote, but it did have some other useful information surrounding the benefits search process.

  • Date: Wednesday, May 14th, 2025
  • Meeting Recording
  • Topics:
    • Updates from CVT Conversations
    • Updates on SISC Status
    • Information regarding CalPERS
    • Updated Timeline of Next Steps
    • Survey Results
    • Other

Introduction to Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.
Subject: The USD and COE will host an informational meeting for all staff to discuss a potential transition to Alliant from NewFront as our Broker of Record for Dental, Vision, and Voluntary Benefits. Learn more about Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.

 

Retiree Information

With the USD & COE transitioning to CalPERS, effective October 1, 2025, retiree medical insurance options will be available through CalPERS.  
What This Means for You:

  • All retirees who retired from STRS or PERS within 120 days of retiring from USD or COE or your permanent separation from either entity are eligible to enroll in health insurance coverage through CalPERS.
  • CalPERS will be mailing detailed information directly to you in the coming weeks. This will include:
    • Instructions on how to enroll
    • Plan options and coverage details
    • Important deadlines and next steps

No immediate action is required from you at this time regarding CalPERS Health. Please watch for the packet from CalPERS and read through it carefully once received.

CalPERS Medicare Enrollment Guide for Retirees

Current & Potential Options:

  • Retiree's First: We recognize that many retirees have transitioned to Retiree's First. However, with our transition to CalPERS, the USD & COE will no longer be able to utilize these services, and to continue coverage with the USD or COE, you will need to transition to CalPERS.
  • Dental & Vision: The USD and COE will be continuing their Dental and Vision plan options through Alliant, which will continue your current offerings. Alliant recently presented rates, which saw a slight increase for the plan year beginning October 1, 2025. 
    • Dental Rates:
      • $84.16/month for single coverage
      • $152.43/month for two-party coverage
    • Vision Rates:
      • $14.06/month for single coverage
      • $40.22/month for two-party coverage
    • If you would like to keep your Dental and/or Vision coverage, please reach out to Payroll@acusd.org or (209) 257-5425 as soon as possible. At this time, we are reviewing billing options for these benefits and will follow up with additional details if there are any changes to how premiums will be collected.

Frequently Asked Questions

  •  Yes, these are separate deductible amounts.

  • Two or more people count as a family in relation to the family deductible. On page 32 of the PERS Gold Evidence of Coverage Document, it states: “If your plan has Family coverage, there is an individual Deductible within the Family Deductible. This means an individual Family Member can meet the individual Deductible before the entire Family meets the Family Deductible.”

  • September 16 - October 11, 2025, with changes taking effect January 1, 2026.

    1. PERS Gold: Mark Twain Medical Center in San Andreas, Marshall Medical Center in Placerville, and Mercy Hospital of Folsom
    2. PERS Platinum: Mark Twain Medical Center in San Andreas, Sutter Amador Hospital in Jackson, Marshall Medical Center in Placerville, and Mercy Hospital of Folsom.

  • These do not apply to us as they are for PORAC, which is for Safety Members.

  • That is correct, Sutter Amador Hospital is out-of-network for PPO Gold. You can still use their services, but you would pay the out of network Co-pay and Co-insurance rates.

  • With all of CalPERS plans, if you have an emergency you can seek care. And the plans can be used.

  • That is correct, you can still go to the hospital, but will pay the out-of network cost.

  • Mark Twain Hospital in San Andreas

  • It is all based on Zip Code, but in Amador County for Active Employees there is only one option.