In the 2023-2024 school year, California included an impressive 1,019 public school districts. These schools employ more than 300,000 teachers, along with thousands of administrative, operations, and support staff. But the educational landscape in California stretches even further, with 3,822 private schools adding to the mix. Beyond that, nearly 3,000 educational service providers work throughout the state, from smaller organizations to larger entities. And we can’t forget the post-secondary level, with hundreds of thousands working at community colleges, universities, and technical schools and more than 100 private colleges and universities.
Just like any other industry, navigating the world of health insurance can be difficult for those in public and private education. Educators, administrators, and staff want options that speak to their unique health care needs and budgets. For groups of up to 100 employees, CaliforniaChoice is an increasingly popular solution, offering tailored coverage for an affordable cost.
The CaliforniaChoice private health exchange has been offering small business employee benefits for more than 28 years. CaliforniaChoice delivers “big business benefits” without a big-ticket price. Whether you have a single employee, 10 employees, 50, or 100, our program offers you – and each of them – greater access to health care providers than any other single health insurance program in California.
Health Insurance for Schools
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how our program works.
1: Choose the Plan That Fits Your Needs
Flexibility is one of the primary benefits of CaliforniaChoice. Each member can choose from multiple coverage options like Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, and others. For 2025, employees have seven health plans and dozens of coverage options. Statewide, there are 100+ options available.
One employee might choose a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization ) plan because of a particular doctor or hospital in its network. Another employee, who rarely visits the doctor, might choose a HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plan. A third employee might choose an EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization) plan, which combines features of a PPO and HMO. A fourth might select a Health Savings Account-compatible plan because of its cost and tax advantages.
The availability each plan depends on where you and your employees live. Some plans are available across the state, others are regional.
2: You Control of Your Costs
With CaliforniaChoice, you decide how much you want to contribute to employees’ premiums.
You can select a Fixed Percentage (50% to 100%) of a specific plan or benefit. Or you can contribute a Fixed Dollar Amount for each employee. (All employees must receive the same contribution to their premiums.)
Employees then apply your generous contribution to the health plan and benefits they like best. If they select a plan that costs more than you’re contributing, the employee pays the difference. It’s that simple.
At renewal, you have the option to change your premium contribution for your next plan year. You can adjust it up or down. That puts you in control of your spending for another 12 months.
If your employees want to make a coverage change, they can move to a different plan type or health insurance company – and still stay in the CaliforniaChoice program.
3: Medical + So Much More
CaliforniaChoice isn’t just health coverage. You can add Ancillary benefits for your employees, too:
- Dental: Choose from three Dental plans – a MetLife or SmileSaverSM Dental HMO or an Ameritas Dental PPO.
- Vision: The Voluntary Vision program from Vision One Eyecare offers discounts on vision care services and prescription eyewear.
- Chiropractic: Landmark Healthplan offers chiropractic benefits including exams and adjustments plus optional benefits for acupuncture.
- Life and AD&D: Coverage of up to $100,000 is available from Assurity Life with Accidental Death & Dismemberment benefits and a living benefits provision.
4: Value-Added Extras
Our Business Solutions Suite and Member Value Suite include a range of “extras” that you and your employees will appreciate, including:
- A no-cost Premium Only Plan (POP)
- A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) (for groups with 15 or more employees)
- COBRA participant invoicing, premium collection, and remittance (Cal-COBRA or federal COBRA billing services depend on your company’s group size)
- Reduced Dental Care service fees through Dentegra® Smile Club dentists
- Savings on hearing tests, hearing aids, batteries, and more from EPIC Hearing Service Plan
- Prescription drug savings when using the California Rx Card (you may be able to reduce your Rx out-of-pocket costs to less than your health plan copay)
- A free Cal Perks membership can save you and your employees money on tickets to theme and water parks, sporting events, museums, movies, travel, and more
- Discounts on fitness center memberships and wellness
Talk With a Broker to Learn More
Ask your insurance agent or employee benefits broker about CaliforniaChoice. More than 100 schools and related employers have selected CaliforniaChoice as their benefits program. Find out how it can work for you, too.
If you don’t already have a broker, it’s easy to search for one at MyCalChoice.com.
