Myth: Eggs Raise Cholesterol and Cause Heart Disease

Truth: The cause of heart disease goes beyond cholesterol alone, and eggs do not increase heart disease based on conclusions of the most valid research studies available. If you weren’t already skeptical of the nutrition headlines before, reading that eggs might actually be bad for you may have put you over the edge. Your skepticism is valid and, although there … Read More

Rethinking the Importance and Value of Employee Wellness

A stethoscope lying on a table promoting wellness

Early spring is benefit decision time for public sector employers. Budgets, plan choices, integrated or non-integrated medical and pharmacy, disease management programs, employee assistance—all topics that need to be decided on behind the scenes before rolling out the final choices to employees for open enrollment. For many employers, there is a vital component missing, which is your wellness goals and … Read More

Open Enrollment Essentials

If you’re an employee of a school district in Arizona, open enrollment is close at hand! Your employer is making final benefit vendor selections and rate decisions right now, laying the critical groundwork to roll out benefits to employees for the 2019-2020 plan year.   Districts and government agencies designate a specific period for you to choose your benefits package … Read More

A Testimonial from Jan Cordova

A doctor is on the phone with a patient jan cordova

    Here at Valley Schools, we are a beneficial resource for you as an employer for your school district or other governmental agency. But don’t just take it from us, hear from one of our members, Jan Cordova… “I have had the pleasure of working with Valley Schools for several years and appreciate that they are right there in … Read More

Should You Consider Self-Funding?

A pen and calculator on top of a spreadsheet going over self-funding

If you are a public sector employer of 200 or more benefit-eligible employees, self-funding, or self-insuring your medical and pharmacy plan(s) is an essential option to consider. Let’s compare fully insured to self-insured plans: Fully Insured Self-Insured •       Insurance company dictates the cost of the monthly premium to the employer •       Employee/Employer pays a set monthly premium •       Insurance company … Read More

Are You in the Right Health Insurance Pool?

A stethoscope sitting in front of a pile of healthy fruits and veggies health insurance

For more than 30 years, Valley Schools has served school districts and other governmental agencies in administrative, financial or public service positions, providing our more than 35,000 members with the absolute best pricing in employee benefits and affordable, group health insurance coverage to better support their financial freedom and well-being. There are key components that set us apart from other … Read More

After the Holidays, What’s Next?

A christmas tree decorated to commemorate the holiday

It’s not just cooler temperatures that are in the air (summer won’t be here again for another six months, thank goodness!) but the anticipation of another holiday season. As 2018 comes to an end, employees across Arizona are looking to 2019. The holidays remind us that our health and well-being are of the utmost importance, and only a month or … Read More