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The North Allegheny School District

"Reaching for Our Best ...Together"

Human Resources Department

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Optimum Options

Optimum Options is a flexible benefit program offered to Administrators and Confidential
employees to choose from a number of benefit options based on individual needs.

	Optimum Options enrollment is done each fall, with benefit choices effective the 1st of the new year
	North Allegheny provides you with flex credits to purchase certain benefits
	You are required to contribute a small portion of the premium for most of the medical, dental, and vision options offered
	Many of the benefit options requiring contributions can be purchased on a pre-tax basis
	You are permitted to sell up to five (5) vacation days to generate additional flex credits or greater take-home pay

BENEFIT OPTIONS:

MEDICAL

	You can choose to participate in the medical plan, or you can opt-out
	If you opt-out of medical coverage and submit proof of other coverage, you will receive $108 flex credits per month ($50 credits per pay) that can be used to buy other benefits or can be taken as additional take-home pay
	Your contribution toward medical coverage will be on a pre-tax basis unless you inform us to withhold the contribution on a post-tax basis

(See Medical / RX for details about your medical coverage)

DENTAL

	The flex plan contains four dental options
	You may select one of the plans by making the appropriate contribution, or you can decline the dental coverage
	You receive no flex credits for declining the dental coverage
	Your contribution toward dental coverage will be on a pre-tax basis unless you inform us to withhold the contribution on a post-tax basis

        (See Dental for details about your dental coverage)

        (Click here to see your Dental Schedule of Benefits)
                --    Administrators
                --    Confidentials

VISION

	You may elect to continue your current vision coverage by making the appropriate contribution; or, you may opt-out of vision coverage
	You receive no flex credits if you opt-out of the vision coverage
	*Your vision election remains in place for two (2) years*
	Your contribution toward vision coverage will be on a pre-tax basis unless you inform us to withhold the contribution on a post-tax basis

(See Vision for details about your vision coverage)

LIFE INSURANCE AND ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT

	You can choose a flat amount of coverage or multiples of two or three times your base salary
	You must select at least $20,000 of basic life and AD&D coverage
	Contributions are taken as follows: Administrators - Life Insurance - Post-tax basis AD&D - Pre-tax basis Confidentials - Life Insurance and AD&D - Pre-tax basis

POST RETIREMENT UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE OPTIONS

	In addition to the life insurance and AD&D coverage available while you are actively at work, you may purchase post-retirement universal life insurance on a payroll deduction basis
	You will be eligible to purchase Simplified-Issue Universal Life insurance up to the lesser of 5X your salary or $250,000.
	Additional coverage is available for up to $25,000 on your spouse and up to $10,000 on your children and grandchildren
	Additional amounts may be available subject to you providing evidence of insurability
	To discuss rates, terms and conditions of coverage, please call our licensed representative, Brad Jackson, at (412) 8510-1542
	Post Retirement whole life is optional

CANCER INSURANCE OPTIONS

	You are guaranteed cancer insurance coverage unless you have ever had AIDS, melanoma or any other cancer within the last 10 years
	The insurance coverage provides payment when you or a covered family member is diagnosed with cancer and submits proof of loss
	With the cancer policy, you can also select optional coverage that provides benefits for hospital intensive care services (does not have to be for cancer)
	The cancer insurance coverage may be chosen with or without a return of premium feature
	Premiums for the cancer insurance and intensive care rider are payable on a pre-tax basis; however, if the return of premium rider is chosen, both the premium for the cancer insurance and the premium for the rider must be paid with after-tax dollars and the benefits will be paid tax free
	For further details, refer to your Optimum Options Booklet
	To discuss details of your current plan or to discuss rates, terms and conditions of coverage, please contact Jimmy Tomko, State Manager, at (814) 382-5042
	Cancer insurance is optional

      NOTE: In the event you have previously enrolled in this program, the benefits indicated in
                    your certificate and the rates you are currently paying will apply to you should you
                    choose to continue to be covered under this program.

LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE

	Long Term Care insurance provides coverage for supportive services in nursing homes or at home for those who are unable to perform certain activities of daily living over an extended period of time, such as bathing, eating and dressing
	Coverage from $1,000 per month up to $4,000 per month can be purchased in $1,000 increments
	Total home care and inflation protection are available enhancements
	Medical evidence of insurability may be required to obtain coverage.
	If you elect Long Term Care insurance, you will receive a bill directly from the vendor.
	Rates for Long Term Care coverage may vary based on your age and the benefit selected
	To discuss rates, terms and conditions of coverage, please call our licensed representative, Mr. Steve Fisher, at (800) 836-8483
	Long Term Care insurance is optional

HEALTH CARE SPENDING ACCOUNT

	Health Care Spending Account allows you to set aside salary dollars on a pre-tax basis in order to pay for certain health care expenses that are either partially covered or not covered under our medical, dental, and vision plan options
	Eligible expenses are those health care expenses that are deductible under Section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code (with the exception of long-term care expenses) and that are not otherwise reimbursed from another health plan
	The maximum amount that you can contribute to the health care spending account is $5,000 per year
	Your per-pay contribution amount must be an even dollar amount
	Your contributions are subject to the "use it or lose it" rule
	You may enroll or decline participation
	Click on http://taxsaver.mercer.com to access the TaxSaver website where you can: -- Verify your election -- Change in status rules -- View your account balance -- Eligibility requirements -- Print blank claim forms -- Calculate your tax savings -- How and where to file claims -- Learn about the plan -- Look up qualified expenses -- How to contact TaxSaver
	If you have specific questions you need answered concerning tax saver reimbursements and qualified expenses, contact Tax Saver Customer Service at 888-829-7287

DEPENDENT CARE SPENDING ACCOUNT

	Dependent Care Spending Account allows you to set aside salary dollars on a pre-tax basis to provide for the care of your dependents -- both children and elderly parents -- in order for you and your spouse to be able to work.
	The maximum amount that you can put into a dependent care spending account per year is $5,000, if you are married and file a joint tax return or unmarried and file as head of a household
	If you are married and file separately, the annual limit is $2,500
	Dependent care expenses that are reimbursed through a flexible spending account cannot also be taken as a credit for Federal income tax purposes
	Your per-pay contribution amount must be an even dollar amount
	Your contributions are subject to the "use it or lose it" rule
	You may enroll or decline participation
	Click on http://taxsaver.mercer.com to access the TaxSaver website where you can: -- Verify your election -- Change in status rules -- View your account balance -- Eligibility requirements -- Print blank claim forms -- Calculate your tax savings -- How and where to file claims -- Learn about the plan -- Look up qualified expenses -- How to contact TaxSaver
	If you have specific questions you need answered concerning tax saver reimbursements and qualified expenses, contact Tax Saver Customer Service at 888-829-7287

CONTACTS:
     Cancer Insurance - Mr. Jimmy Tomko, State Manager                       814- 382-5042
     Dependent Care and Health Care Spending Accounts -
              Tax Saver Customer Service                                                             888- 829-7287
     Long Term Care Insurance -
               Mr. Steve Fisher, Licensed Insurance Agent                                800-836-8483
     Post-Retirement Universal Life Insurance -
               Mr. Brad Jackson, Licensed Representative                               412-851-1542
     NA Benefits Manager:                                                                                  412-369-5546

Send Email to NA Benefits Manager

200 Hillvue Lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Tele: 412-366-2100