« Back to News List

ACES Health Insurance Collaborative Earns Big Savings

December 5th, 2018


(North Haven, CT. November 13, 2018) Using collaboration and the strength of a team approach, ACES Health Insurance Collaborative Services Group announced a combined savings of almost $3,466,000 for its member group participants of North Haven, Ansonia, and ACES in paying for health care services.  Formulated in 2017, the coalition is designed to save participants money on health care costs while providing access to high-quality health care services.

“The Health Insurance Collaborative is a perfect example of what ACES is all about – serving our districts and communities with the best services possible at a competitive price. These substantial cost savings are proof that this initiative not only works but makes a difference,” said Dr. Thomas Danehy, ACES Executive Director. “We helped save North Haven almost $ 2 Million for the school and $ 206,366 in savings for Ansonia and $ 1,269,886 for our ACES educational facilities while upgrading services and holding down future rates. This amounts to a savings of more than 16% in just one year.”

Ansonia Public Schools Superintendent Carol Merlone said health benefits are an essential part of the budget that continue to rise annually. The ACES Insurance Collaborative has provided the opportunity for school districts and municipalities to collaborate and achieve cost savings.

Besides all the advantages of leveraging a combined buying power for plans, the ACES Health Insurance Collaborative is unique because it offers customized plans to meet specific health care needs for each organization while allowing members to maintain control over the health plan reserves.  Additionally, the negotiated agreement produces discounts and rebates on prescriptions; removes the need to pre-pay coverage which helps cash flow; saves 2-3 percent of the premium’s dollar value due to not being subject to state health insurance premium taxes; and freedom to choose specific providers best suited for the health care needs of its employees.

Danehy says the program was specifically designed to be proactive in curbing a non-stop trend of ever-increasing health insurance costs.  He adds the coalition should realize even more savings in the future while keeping rates in check.

About ACES: 
Area Cooperative Educational Service’s (ACES) is to transform lives through education, innovation, and leadership. One of six Connecticut regional educational service centers, ACES is the regional educational services center for the twenty-five communities in New Haven and
is both a school district and a non-profit services agency. ACES serves 2,300 students from fifty-seven communities throughout Connecticut at its three magnet schools and nine special education schools. ACES service divisions include international educational programs and services, technology, transportation, translation, behavior services and autism programs, extension therapy services (occupational and physical therapy), assistive technology, collaborative programs, professional development, human resources and financial services, and ACCESS, a vocational and life skills program for developmentally and physically challenged adults. ACES also runs the Open Choice program for New Haven County as well as a magnet school parent choice program for its Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School and Thomas Edison Middle School. Additionally, ACES runs the Middlesex County Early Head Start Partnership program. For additional information, go to www.aces.org.

« Back to News List