ABOUT THE TRUST

The Northwestern Region Employee Benefit Trust was formed in 1993 to provide high quality health care benefits to staff of education institutions and their dependents.

 The Trust is governed by a board of trustees, comprised of representatives from each participating employer.  Trustees adopt funding rates, oversee general operations and monitor the performance of the professionals providing service to the benefit plans and the Trust.  Where appropriate, trustees secure catastrophic risk insurance coverage to protect the Trust fund from unusual claim costs.

 As third party administrator, Highmark reviews and pays claims as per each member's plan.  Customer service is provided to the trust by Benefit Administrators, Inc. (BAI).  As consultants, BTL Associates, Inc., advises the trustees on plan and benefit management.  Trustees employ a solicitor, an accounting firm and other consultants.  The Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit provides management services to the Trust.

 Trustees also offer various voluntary programs for health promotion, lifestyle risk reduction and more effective use of health care funds.

 Participating employers include school districts, vocational-technical schools and the intermediate unit.

 For additional information please contact the Trust at linda_cussins@iu5.org or the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit at 814/734-5610 extension 8439.