Smithtown Schools Ready for Impact of Affordable Care Act

Smithtown school officials are taking steps to ensure the district's compliance with the new health insurance provisions under the federal Affordable Care Act, despite being given a one year reprieve. 

Smithtown Board of Education will have an attorney from Lamb & Barnosky, LLP present an overview of the Affordable Care Act and discuss strategies for responding it its implementation to them at their Jan. 14, 2014 executive session, Times of Smithtown reports.

Andrew Tobin, Smithtown's assistant superintendent of finance and operations, said the district's health insurance premiums for individuals has nearly doubled over the past 7 years.

In the 2006-07 school year, premiums for individuals working for the district were $6,392 and $16,620 for families. That rate has risen to $11,400 for individuals and $23,000 for families as of the 2013-14 school year, according to Tobin. 

Under the Affordable Care Act, the school district will have to offer health insurance to employees working 30 hours or more, which may be complicated to determine with substitute teachers and other part-time staff. 

If a proper protocal is not put in place to provide health insurance to 95 percent of eligible employees by January 2015, the district could face hefty fines. 

Read more on Times of Smithtown about Smithtown school district's preparations for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.