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Health and Insurance Benefits

There are a variety of benefit plans and programs for eligible active employees of the South Hadley School Department. Questions regarding benefits can be directed to Hannah Brackley, the district's Payroll Coordinator.  You can contact her at the School Business Office at (413) 538-5057 x2605. Health insurance is provided through the Town's participation in the Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust (HCGIT), a municipal joint purchase group organized under Mass. General Laws Chapter 32B, §12.

Open Enrollment for Fiscal Year 2026 is available from April 17, 2025 through May 9, 2025

(Plan Year: July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026)

 

22 PAY EMPLOYEES - There will be an adjustment made to your two June payrolls in order to cover the rate differential for July, August, and September.  You will receive an email with that differential information prior to the additional deduction being taken out in June.

 

Employees who want to keep the same health, life, dental, vision and life insurance plan(s) in which they are currently enrolled and add no additional coverage do not need to submit new enrollment forms (only a marriage affidavit if applicable as explained above). Employees who want to cancel a plan, enroll in a new plan, or add or delete a dependent must complete an enrollment/change form and submit to Hannah Brackley, Payroll Coordinator, during the open enrollment period listed above.

Changes permitted during Open Enrollment:

  • Enroll yourself and/or dependents for the first time (if you meet eligibility requirements) in the plan of your choice.
  • Add previously non-covered eligible dependents to existing plans. 
  • Cancel any coverage(s) or delete any dependents for whom coverage is no longer required. 
  • Switch from your current plan to any of the other offered plans or plan options. 

**Please note that any 22 Pay Employee that is adding new insurance(s) or changing your plan(s) there will be additional deductions that will need to occur on your June bi-weekly paychecks in order to ensure you are covered for the months of July, August, and September.**

 

 

  NEW in FY26: Voluntary insurances from Colonial Life including

  • Disability, Accident, Medical Bridge, Critical Illness w/Cancer, and Life (Whole and Term).
  • Colonial also is offering a complimentary benefit, GradFin, which helps advise people on student loan strategies.
  • To learn more or enroll, contact our Colonial rep, Kimberly Cunningham at
    •                     Office: 401-596-1510
    •                     Kimberly.Cunningham@ColonialLifeSales.com

 NEW in FY26: Health Insurance Opt-Out Incentive Program - More information soon!

  • See Program Regulations for full details. Beginning in FY2026, this program provides eligible employees with the opportunity to receive an annual financial incentive in exchange for opting out of the Town’s health insurance coverage and enrolling in outside, comparable coverage.
  • Current eligible groups: Non-Union Town staff; AFSCME Units A and B; AFSCME DPW Unit; all School department groups (unions and non-union); all SHELD staff
  • More information will be communicated and posted here soon, and see HR for questions in the meantime!
  • South Hadley Opt-Out Program FAQ

  Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

  • IMPORTANT: Enrollment form required for all employees electing this benefit in FY26. As with every year, this benefit does not automatically renew.
  • FSA Medical Care: the annual election maximum has increased to $3,300 for FY26 plan year
  • FSA Dependent Care: annual election maximum = $5,000

 

 

 

RATES (ACTIVE EMPLOYEES)

FORMS & PLAN INFORMATION (ACTIVE EMPLOYEES)

Benefit Election Form