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Employee Benefits

Open Enrollment for 2025: July 28 - August 8

Heads up, Eagles: 

Open Enrollment for benefits will close BEFORE school starts this year! Plan changes and enrollments can be made from July 28 through Aug. 8, 2025. Current plan coverages from Anthem Blue Cross will continue without any action required by covered employees. Changes or updates to plan coverage should be made in the Employee Navigator during open enrollment. 

For more information about our BCBS benefits packages, please view the Employee Benefit Guide on our staff website. Our broker, Barker Phillips Jackson, will be at the Joplin Schools Health, Benefits & Retail Therapy Fair on Friday, Aug. 1 to answer questions and assist with enrollment. Changes to plans and premiums will be evaluated over the summer. 

There will be NO extensions to Open Enrollment past Aug. 8, so be sure to make any changes during the Open Enrollment window!

If you have questions, please contact Benefits Coordinator Ariana Valade: arianavalade@joplinschools.org.

Did You Know? Your Joplin Schools Benefits Go the Extra Mile

We know how hard you work—and we want to make sure you know just how much your benefits are working for you. Joplin Schools is proud to offer a strong, affordable, and comprehensive benefits package that stands out across the region. Thank you for everything you do for our students and families. Your health matters to us—and we're proud to offer benefits that reflect that.

Stable & Affordable Health Coverage

  • Rates held steady in 2024

  • Only small increases (2%–8%) since 2018

  • Typical national health plan increases: 10–12% per year—we’ve kept yours well below that!

Plans Designed With You in Mind

You have choices! We offer three plan options with reasonable costs and strong coverage.

  • $2,000 Deductible HSA Plan: Only $40.60/month (includes both Mercy & Freeman!)

  • Base Plan: $2,500 deductible, $78.40/month

  • Buy-Up Plan: $1,500 deductible, $143.20/month (similar plans elsewhere can cost up to $270/month)

  • Many local districts only offer one hospital network—Joplin gives you both.

Comprehensive Mental Health Support

  • 6 free counseling visits per issue per year through the Employee Assistance Plan—for you and your family

  • Unlimited mental health visits included in your health plan

  • Some nearby districts don’t even cover mental health—or limit visits

No-Hassle Pharmacy Benefits

  • Fully integrated with your medical plan

  • No manual claims or extra paperwork

  • Coverage includes a broad range of medications

 

More Benefits For You

  • District-funded HSA contributions

  • Nationwide BCBS network access

  • Preventive care built into all plans

Employee Benefits for Joplin Schools

Employee Benefits:

Life Insurance:

Summary of Anthem Health Benefits by Plan:

Health Savings Account