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Providing affordable, quality medical insurance benefits for our employees is critical both for our staff and for our organization. This year we hired a full time HR manager, a position we never had in the past. The addition, which allows our HR team to resolve questions expeditiously, has been well received by our new cohort of Fellows. We understand how important medical coverage is for our employees and we commit to working with them on any questions or concerns related to their medical plan. While our permanent staff pay 50% of the premium cost for health insurance, our Fellows are offered medical insurance coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield for a cost share of about 30% of the premium. Our health insurance plan is optional; most fellows do not elect it. Fellows wishing to waive SAGA health insurance coverage because they have their own receive a benefits opt-out payment with every paycheck. We also have a dental plan, and flexible spending accounts for our Fellows that provide tax benefits for eligible medical, childcare and transportation costs.
A common misconception is that the Perkins Teacher Loan Cancellation program is a SAGA program--it is not. SAGA helps provide the application and necessary employer documents, and supports our Fellows throughout the application process. However, the final eligibility is determined by the loan holder. If for some reason cancellation isn’t an option, other options include deferment and income-based options. Our Fellows have been successful and satisfied with each of these options.
