Important Notices

To: Participants in the St. Tammany Parish School Board

Re: Availability of Notice of Privacy Practices

The St. Tammany Parish School Board maintains a Notice of Privacy Practices that provides information to individuals whose protected health information (PHI) will be used or maintained by the Plan. If you would like a copy of the Plan's Notice of Privacy Practices, please contact the Benefits Department at 985-892-2276.

Effective July 1, 2007 employees who enroll in the St. Tammany Parish School Board’s (STPSB) Health Insurance plan will be subject to the following premium reduction rates at the time of retirement:

• Less than 10 years of STPSB health insurance coverage: the school system will pay 25% of its normal contribution rate

• 10 – 14.99 years of STPSB health insurance coverage: the system will pay 50% of its
normal contribution rate

• 15 – 19.99 years of STPSB health insurance coverage: the system will pay 75% of its
normal contribution rate

• 20 or more years of STPSB health insurance coverage: the system will pay 100% of its
normal contribution rate

Please read this notice carefully and keep it where you can find it. This notice has
information about your current prescription drug coverage with St. Tammany Parish School Board and about your options under Medicare’s prescription drug coverage. This information can help you decide whether or not you want to join a Medicare drug plan. If you are considering joining, you should compare your current coverage, including which drugs are covered at what cost, with the coverage and costs of the plans offering Medicare prescription drug coverage in your area. Information about where you can get help to make decisions about your prescription drug coverage is at the end of this notice.

There are two important things you need to know about your current coverage and
Medicare’s prescription drug coverage:
1. Medicare prescription drug coverage became available in 2006 to everyone with
Medicare. You can get this coverage if you join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or
join a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) that offers prescription drug
coverage. All Medicare drug plans provide at least a standard level of coverage set
by Medicare. Some plans may also offer more coverage for a higher monthly
premium.
2. St. Tammany Parish School Board has determined that the prescription drug
coverage offered by the St. Tammany Parish School Board Group Health Plan is, on
average for all plan participants, expected to pay out as much as standard Medicare
prescription drug coverage pays and is therefore considered Creditable Coverage.
Because your existing coverage is Creditable Coverage, you can keep this coverage
and not pay a higher premium (a penalty) if you later decide to join a Medicare drug
plan.

When Can You Join A Medicare Drug Plan?

You can join a Medicare drug plan when you first become eligible for Medicare and each year from October 15th to December 7th.

However, if you lose your current creditable prescription drug coverage, through no fault of your own, you will also be eligible for a two (2) month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to join a Medicare drug plan.

What Happens To Your Current Coverage If You Decide to Join A Medicare Drug Plan?

If you decide to join a Medicare drug plan, your current St. Tammany Parish School Board coverage will not be affected.

When you become eligible for Medicare Part D you can keep this coverage and if you elect Part D this plan will coordinate with Part D Coverage.

If you do decide to join a Medicare drug plan and drop your current St. Tammany Parish School  Board coverage, be aware that you and your dependents will not be able to get this coverage back.

When Will You Pay A Higher Premium (Penalty) To Join A Medicare Drug Plan?

You should also know that if you drop or lose your current coverage with St. Tammany Parish School Board and don’t join a Medicare drug plan within 63 continuous days after your current coverage ends, you may pay a higher premium (a penalty) to join a Medicare drug plan later.

If you go 63 continuous days or longer without creditable prescription drug coverage, your monthly premium may go up by at least 1% of the Medicare base beneficiary premium per month for every month that you did not have that coverage. For example, if you go nineteen months without creditable coverage, your premium may consistently be at least 19% higher than the Medicare base beneficiary premium. You may have to pay this higher premium (a penalty) as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. In addition, you may have to wait until the following
October to join.

For More Information About This Notice Or Your Current Prescription Drug Coverage…

Contact the person listed below for further information NOTE: You’ll get this notice each year. You will also get it before the next period you can join a Medicare drug plan, and if this coverage through St. Tammany Parish School Board changes. You also may request a copy of this notice at any time.

For More Information About Your Options Under Medicare Prescription
Drug Coverage…
More detailed information about Medicare plans that offer prescription drug coverage is in the “Medicare & You” handbook. You’ll get a copy of the handbook in the mail every year from Medicare. You may also be contacted directly by Medicare drug plans.
For more information about Medicare prescription drug coverage:

• Visit www.medicare.gov
• Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see the inside back cover of your copy of the “Medicare & You” handbook for their telephone number) for personalized help Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

If you have limited income and resources, extra help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage is available. For information about this extra help, visit Social Security on the web at www.socialsecurity.gov, or call them at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Remember: Keep this Creditable Coverage notice. If you decide to join one of the Medicare drug plans, you may be required to provide a copy of this notice when you join to show whether or not you have maintained creditable coverage and, therefore, whether or not you are required to pay a higher premium (a penalty).

Date: 10/02/2018
Name of Entity/Sender: Human Resources
Contact--Position/Office: Human Resources
Address: 321 N. Theard St. Covington, LA 70434
Phone Number: 985-892-2276

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0938-0990. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 8 hours per response initially, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: CMS, 7500 Security Boulevard, Attn: PRA Reports Clearance Officer, Mail Stop C4-26-05, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

Federal law requires us to provide this notice to you. We can provide you with no further information about its contents nor can we provide you with assistance 
in evaluating your options for exchange coverage. The government agency regulating this plan has educational materials and sources for additional information. Please access their website at www.healthcare.gov or https://cuidadodesalud.gov/es 
(Spanish). You may also call 800-318-2596.

Printable Version

New Health lnsurance Marketplace Coverage Options and Your Health Coverage 

PART A: General lnformation

When key parts of the health care law take effect in 2014, there will be a new way to buy health insurance: the Health Insurance Marketplace. To assist you as you evaluate options for you and your family, this notice provides some basic information about the new Marketplace. 

What is the Health Insurance Marketplace? 

The Marketplace is designed to help you find health insurance that meets your needs and fits your budget. The Marketplace offers "one-stop shopping" to find and compare private health insurance options. You may also be eligible for a new kind of tax credit that lowers your monthly premium right away. Open enrollment for health insurance 
coverage through the Marketplace begins in October 2013 for coverage starting as early as January 1, 2014. 

Can I Save Money on my Health Insurance Premiums in the Marketplace? 

You may qualify to save money and lower your monthly premium, but only if your employer does not offer coverage, or offers coverage that doesn't meet certain standards. The savings on your premium that you're eligible for depends on 
your household income. 

Does Employer Health Coverage Affect Eligibility for Premium Savings through the Marketplace? 

Yes. If you have an offer of health coverage from your employer that meets certain standards, you will not be eligible for a tax credit through the Marketplace and may wish to enroll in your employer's health plan. However, you may be eligible for a tax credit that lowers your monthly premium, or a reduction in certain cost-sharing if your employer does not offer coverage to you at all or does not offer coverage that meets certain standards. lf the cost of a plan from your employer that would cover you (and not any other members of your family) is more than 9.5% of your household income for the year, or if the coverage your employer provides does not meet the "minimum value" standard set by the Affordable Care Act, you may be eligible for a tax credit.1 
Note: lf you purchase a health plan through the Marketplace instead of accepting health coverage offered by your employer, then you may lose the employer contribution (if any) to the employer-offered coverage. Also, this employer 
contribution -as well as your employee contribution to employer-offered coverage- is often excluded from income for Federal and State income tax purposes. Your payments for coverage through the Marketplace are made on an after-tax basis. 

How Can I Get More Information? 

The Marketplace can help you evaluate your coverage options, including your eligibility for coverage through the Marketplace and its cost. Please visit HealthCare.gov for more information, including an online application for health 
insurance coverage and contact information for a Health lnsurance Marketplace in your area. 

1 An employer-sponsored health plan meets the "minimum value standard" if the plan's share of the total allowed benefit costs covered by the plan is no less than 60 percent of such costs.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Creditable Coverage
website provides complete text of the guidance and model disclosure templates
published by CMS, and may be a helpful resource to both employers and their
employees. Updates are made regularly, so please check the websites often for
the most up-to-date information.

Are Part D eligibles required to enroll in Part D?

Medicare beneficiaries who have other sources of drug coverage – through a
current or former employer or union, for example – may stay in that plan and
choose not to enroll in the Medicare drug plan. If their other coverage is at least
as good as the new Medicare drug benefit (and therefore considered "creditable
coverage"), then beneficiaries may continue to get the high-quality care they
have now as well as avoid higher payments later if they sign up for the Medicare
drug benefit. Eligible members who forego Part D enrollment when first available
and who do not have creditable prescription drug coverage for any period of 63
days or longer will likely have to pay a higher Part D premium of 1 percent per
month for late enrollment.

Do we have to engage an accredited actuary to judge our plan's creditable coverage status?

No. CMS has created a simplified Creditable Coverage Determination that allows
the employer to identify creditable coverage status without the attestation of an
accredited actuary. However, you will require the services of an actuary if your
company decides to apply for the Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS).

What am I required to do regarding creditable coverage?

Employers must provide creditable or non-creditable coverage notice to all
Medicare eligible individuals who are covered under, or who apply for, the
entity’s prescription drug plan (Part D eligibles), whether active employees or
retirees, at least once a year. This notice need not be a separate mailing and
may be included with other plan participant informational materials or through
electronic means. Please remember, employers are required to provide this
notice even if they choose not to apply for the Retiree Drug Subsidy. In addition,
employers are required to provide CMS with their plan’s creditable or
noncreditable coverage status annually.

When must we notify our members of our plan's creditable coverage status?

Employer plan sponsors are required by CMS to provide creditable coverage
status to Part D-eligible members at least once a year and at the following times:

• Prior to the Medicare Part D Annual Coordinated Election Period beginning on October 15 of each year
• Prior to an individual's initial enrollment period
• Prior to the effective date of coverage for any Medicare-eligible individual that joins your plan
• Whenever prescription drug coverage ends or changes so that it is no longer creditable or becomes creditable
• Upon the request of a beneficiary

What if I do not offer retiree health care coverage?

Creditable coverage notification must be provided to all Part D-eligible individuals
who are covered under or apply for your company's prescription drug benefits
plan. This requirement applies to Medicare beneficiaries who are active
employees and those who are retired, as well as Medicare beneficiaries who are
covered as spouses under active or retiree coverage.

Must we notify CMS of our plans’ creditable coverage status?

Yes. You must provide a disclosure to CMS on an annual basis, via an online
form. Creditable coverage status may change from one year to the next because
the standard Part D benefit may change in the future. CMS requires that the
disclosure be provided:

•  Within 60 days of the start of the plan
•  30 days after plan termination or change in credible coverage status

Where can I find out more information?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Creditable Coverage
website provides complete text of the guidance and model disclosure templates
published by CMS, and may be a helpful resource to both employers and their
employees. Updates are made regularly, so please check the websites often for
the most up-to-date information.

Do you know that your plan, as required by the Women’s Health and Cancer Right Act of 1998, provides benefits for mastectomy-related services, including all stages of reconstruction and surgery to achieve symmetry between the breasts, prostheses and treatment for complications resulting from a mastectomy, including lymphedema? Call your plan administrator at 985-892-2276 for more information.

If you or your children are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP and you’re eligible for health coverage from your employer, your state may have a premium assistance program that can help pay for coverage, using funds from their Medicaid or CHIP programs. If you or your children aren’t eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, you won’t be eligible for these premium assistance programs but you may be able to buy individual insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. For more information, visit www.healthcare.gov.

If you or your dependents are already enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP and you live in a State listed below, contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office to find out if premium assistance is available.

If you or your dependents are NOT currently enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and you think you or any of your dependents might be eligible for either of these programs, contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office or dial 1-877-KIDS NOW or www.insurekidsnow.gov to find out how to apply. If you qualify, ask your state if it has a program that might help you pay the premiums for an employer-sponsored plan.
If you or your dependents are eligible for premium assistance under Medicaid or CHIP, as well as eligible under your employer plan, your employer must allow you to enroll in your employer plan if you aren’t already enrolled.

This is called a “special enrollment“ opportunity, and you must request coverage within 60 days of being determined eligible for premium assistance. If you have questions about enrolling in your employer plan, contact the Department of Labor at www.askebsa.dol.gov or call 1-866-444-EBSA (3272).

If you live in one of the following states, you may be eligible for assistance paying your employer health plan premiums. The following list of states is current as of January 31, 2018 Contact your State for more information on eligibility –

LOUISIANA – Medicaid NEW YORK – Medicaid
Website: http://dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/subhome/1/n/331
Phone: 1-888-695-2447

To see if any other states have added a premium assistance program since January 31, 2018, or for more information on special enrollment rights, contact either:
Employee Benefits Security Administration Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

U.S. Department of Labor
www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa
1-866-444-EBSA (3272)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
www.cms.hhs.gov
1-877-267-2323, Menu Option 4, Ext. 61565

Career and Technical Education courses are available at all STPPS secondary sites and are open to all students. STPPS adheres to the equal opportunity provisions of federal and civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability.

The Title IX Coordinator is Mary Hart, 321 N Theard Street Covington, LA 70433; phone (985) 892-2276; email Mary.Hart@stpsb.org.

The Title II Coordinator is Steve Alfonso, 321 N Theard Street Covington, LA 70433; phone (985) 898-3223; email Steve.Alfonso@stpsb.org.

The 504 Coordinator is Candice Dozier, 224 Brakefield St. Slidell, LA 70458; phone (985) 898-3357; email Candice.Dozier@stpsb.org.

All students have the opportunity to participate in Career & Technical Programs of Study including, but not limited to, areas of Health Care, Construction Crafts & Trades, IT Computer Technology, Culinary Programs, and Agriculture. Admission requirements for each course can be found in the student course guide/schedule packet of the individual campus where the course is being offered. Please contact the guidance counselor at the specific school site for additional information, program requirements and/or any questions you may have.

The St. Tammany Parish School Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities and provides equal access to designated youth groups, such as the Boy Scouts.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Section 504
Candice Dozier, Coordinator of 504 Services
224 Brakefield St.
Slidell, LA 70458
985-898-3357
Candice.Dozier@stpsb.org

Title II Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Steve Alfonso, Assistant Superintendent
321 N. Theard Street
Covington, LA 70433 985-898-3223
Steve.Alfonso@stpsb.org

Title IX Coordinator
Mary Hart, Assistant Superintendent
321 N. Theard Street Covington, LA 70433
985-892-2276
Mary.Hart@stpsb.org

Grievances may be submitted by STPSB students, parents/guardians of STPSB students, and STPSB employees who allege discriminatory action by STPSB employees, STPSB students, and third parties. The following procedures apply to such grievances.

Grievances must be submitted to the appropriate “Coordinator” within 180 days of the date the person filing the grievance becomes aware of the alleged discriminatory action.

For Section 504 Grievances
Candice Dozier, Coordinator of 504 Services
224 Brakefield St.
Slidell, LA 70458
985-898-3357
Candice.Dozier@stpsb.org

For ADA–Title II Grievances
Steve Alfonso, Assistant Superintendent
321N. Theard Street Covington, LA 70433
985-898-3223
Steve.Alfonso@stpsb.org

The Coordinator (or her/his designee) shall conduct an investigation of the complaint. This investigation shall be adequate, reliable, and impartial. The investigation shall afford an equal opportunity to present witnesses and submit evidence relevant to the complaint.

The Coordinator (or her/his designee) will issue a written decision on the grievance no later than 30 days after its filing. A copy of the decision shall be provided to each party.

The person filing the grievance (“complainant”) may appeal the decision of the Coordinator by writing to the Superintendent within 15 days of receiving the Coordinator’s decision. The Superintendent (or designee) shall issue a written decision in response to the appeal no later than 30 days after receiving the complainant’s appeal.

If the investigation yields a determination that discrimination has occurred, the St. Tammany Parish School Board shall take affirmative steps to prevent recurrence of such discrimination and appropriately address discriminatory effects, if any, on the complainant and others.

The availability and use of this grievance procedure does not prevent a person from filing a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability with the U. S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.

Retaliation is prohibited against any person involved in the grievance process, including the complainant or any other participant.

The Coordinator may request in writing an extension of decision time lines if received by the complainant within 20 days of the Coordinator’s receipt of the complaint. The request must include reasons for the request. The extension request may not exceed 10 days.

The complainant may request in writing an extension of appeal time lines if received by the Coordinator within 10 days of the complainant’s receipt of the Coordinator’s decision. The request must include reasons for the request. The Coordinator’s decision to grant the extension and, if granted, its duration are final.

Once a complaint has been received by the Coordinator, Winter/Christmas holiday break time shall not be included in the calculation of any grievance time line.