DISCUSSING PROGRAM — Nathan Mazur of USI Insurance Services, spoke before the Hancock County Board of Education Monday, discussing a proposal which could see the school system switch to Bento Dental as the administrator of its dental insurance coverage. -- Craig Howell

NEW CUMBERLAND — Hancock County Schools officials are looking into options when it comes to dental and vision coverage for their employees and retirees.

As part of Monday’s meeting of the Hancock County Board of Education, members heard from Nathan Mazur of USI Insurance Services, who offered a presentation on the possibility of Bento Dental serving as administrator of the school system’s coverage.

Superintendent Dan Enich explained he had been approached by several teachers and retirees with concern about the proposal, and wanted to have the opportunity for the board and others to hear more about it before a decision is made.

“I am viewing this as an informational session,” Enich said, noting he had sent an email to faculty, staff and retirees, inviting them to attend Monday’s meeting or listen by telephone.

Mazur explained he is viewing the move as a “win-win” for the school district and its workers, hoping to clarify some of the confusion while addressing the board.

“Bento is a dental administrator. It’s not an insurance provider,” Mazur said, claiming the potential change will allow Hancock County Schools to offer the same dental plan it currently has, over a broader network of providers, at a cost savings.

He said the program has been endorsed by the West Virginia Dental Association.

Bento, he said, would serve as a go-between, assisting to connect employees with the insurance provider to navigate their claims and services. He said insurance coverage, most likely, would be provided through the Cigna network.

Board member Randy Swartzmiller said, while he understands there are concerns about possible changes, he also knows of the need to provide savings to the employees.

“We’ve seen the PEIA spiral out of control,” he said, referring to the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency, which, in recent years, has instituted premium increases, including those of 12 percent to 16 percent for the current fiscal year, in an effort to stay solvent. “We want to make sure we provide at least the equivalent of care.”

Board member Jack Crow asked if any other counties offer coverage through Bento, with Mazur saying he knows Harrison and Kanawha counties use the administrator, saying he believes it also is used in Mercer and Fayette counties.

Mazur said the school district could enroll at any point, if officials so choose, but cautioned a decision should be made by mid-November if they want to begin using the service by Jan. 1.