Parents with students attending Polk County schools next year can expect a higher level of insurance coverage through the school system.
Polk County Board of Education members voted at their May meeting to switch their coverage to a gold level with The Young Group.
“With so many families out of work and so many people that have probably lost coverage, we felt it was important to offer students the best coverage we could, especially if we could still save money in the long run,” Superintendent Bill Miller said.
Miller said the board could have saved as much as $8,500 for the exact same coverage they already had, but voted to increase the coverage for students and still save money.
The new company said it could save the system $3,000 but increase the coverage from what Polk currently receives through American Advantage.
The system worked with The Young Group about five years ago.
This new insurance covers intensive care, emergency room visits and even X-rays (up to $300) at 100 percent, versus 80 percent with the previous coverage. Miller said coverage would also be better for accidents on the playground, for example.
The change will take effect July 1.