Legacy Policies

Thomas County Schools offers several legacy insurance policies for active employees, although new enrollments are no longer available. Premiums for these policies are paid via payroll deduction.

Hospital Indemnity

Hospital stays can strain even the healthiest of budgets. And in many cases, you can’t ignore the care you need even if it pushes you financially. Hospital Indemnity insurance plans provide payment for each day spent in the hospital, and for some other qualified expenses as well. That’s money you can use as you choose, whether for hospital bills or those other costs that come up while you’re recovering.

Accident

Accidents often lead to a series of medical bills. Even with medical insurance, you may still face out-of-pocket expenses. If you experience a fracture, dislocation, or another covered accidental injury, Accident Insurance can help alleviate the financial burden of unexpected medical costs, including emergency room visits, deductibles, and co-payments. In the event of an unforeseen injury, Accident Insurance provides support for expenses not covered by your medical plan.

Disability

As a Thomas County Schools employee, you have the option to elect short term and/or long term disability coverage.  These plans pay a benefit should you remain disabled and unable to work, and provide you with financial protection in the event of a catastrophic illness or injury. 

Permanent Life Insurance with Long Term Care

Chubb's Permanent Life Insurance with Long Term Care Benefit provides lifelong protection, with death benefits guaranteed through age 99.

Term Life Insurance with AD&D

Life Insurance can help provide financial protection for your family if you pass away. The money received from a life insurance policy could help your family with both everyday and future expenses, including medical bills, funeral costs, utilities, college tuition, and mortgage payments. Life Insurance provides you with coverage as long as you continue paying your monthly premium.

Your cost will vary depending on your age and amount of coverage you elect. It is important to assess your current and future financial obligations to help you determine the coverage that's right for you. Our Benefits Service Center Specialists can help you make the right decision for you and your family.

Dental

With the Simple Dental plans, you can enjoy coverage without the constraints of a network. You have the freedom to choose any dentist, and benefits are reimbursed according to a scheduled plan.

529 Plan

Thomas County Schools employees have access to the Georgia 529 Plan, a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to help families save for future education expenses.

Sick Leave Bank

Thomas County Schools provides a voluntary Sick Leave Bank for all full-time employees who are eligible for benefits. This program offers additional sick leave to members who have exhausted their personal and available leave and are unable to work for an extended period due to a severe illness. To access the Sick Leave Bank Policy, please visit the Resources page on our website.

Backpack Buddies

Thomas County Schools is committed to ensuring that all students have access to nutritious food beyond the school day. The Backpack Buddies program provides weekend meals and snacks to students who may experience food insecurity at home. Each week, students enrolled in the program receive a discreetly packed bag filled with easy-to-prepare, child-friendly foods, helping them stay nourished and ready to succeed.

Professional Organizations

Thomas County Schools employees have access to two professional organizations through convenient payroll deduction: the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) and the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE).

Gym Memberships

Thomas County Schools supports employee wellness by offering two local gym memberships through the YMCA and Factor X Fitness, available through convenient payroll deduction.

GA Paid Parental Leave

Georgia Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 240 hours of paid parental leave within a year of the birth of their child, or within a year after adoption or taking in a minor through foster care. 

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Thomas Schools provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to all benefits-eligible employees and family members at no cost to you.  

Retirement & Savings

The Thomas County Schools retirement program is made up of multiple parts: Social Security and either the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) or the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS), and personal retirement plan options.  If you want to learn more about how our retirement plans work, and how to make sure you get the most out of your retirement, click the link below.

Flexible Spending (FSA)

The Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) allow you to set aside pre-tax funds that are available for healthcare and dependent day care expenses.  You may enroll in the Healthcare FSA for medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, and other related expenses and / or the Dependent Care FSA, primarily for dependent day care expenses. 

Wellness

ShareCare is the wellness program vendor for the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP), and they provide comprehensive well-being and incentive programs for members.  As you complete wellness activities, you will earn points in your Health Incentive Account to help offset your medical expenses.  High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) members must meet a portion of the deductible before well-being points may be used. 

Critical Illness

Critical illness insurance helps you and your family maintain financial security during the recovery period of a serious medical event, such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke.  The benefit provides a monetary benefit to help with the out-of-pocket medical and non-medical expenses of the illness, and coverage is available to both employees and their families. 

Vision

Our vision changes over time, so you may not be aware of your need for vision correction. That’s why an annual eye exam is critical to keeping your view of the world sharp and clear. Vision Insurance helps offset the costs of routine checkups and vision correction wear that may be prescribed. Routine eye exams are a preventive measure for maintaining your overall health and wellness, and your doctor will look for vision problems and signs of serious medical conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, and even cancer.

State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP)

There are two health plan carriers available to employees and their families: Anthem and UnitedHealthcare (UHC).  Each carrier has multiple plan options available, and each plan includes coverage for preventive care, visits to primary care and specialty care providers, coverage for hospital stays, and visits to urgent care & the emergency room.  When thinking about your health benefits, don’t look at just one thing - like your contributions or the deductible - be sure to consider the whole picture!