New statewide insurance trust enters 2026 with sustained growth and millions more in taxpayer savings

The Florida Educator Health Trust (FLEHT) enters 2026 less than a year old, but already with significant progress under its belt.

Established to help Florida School Districts save on employee health plans without having to pass along benefit reductions, the program opened last June with just three counties on board, representing 1,671 public school employees in DeSoto, Hardee and Hendry counties.

By the end of December, the nonprofit health insurance program had eight counties enrolled, with the addition of Brevard, Charlotte, Okeechobee, Highlands and Polk counties, bringing its total public school employee representation to nearly 22,000 people.

As of mid-January, more School Boards have voted to join the program at various points throughout 2026, which will bring the total counties enrolled to 15.

“In an era of rising health insurance costs for employees, we set out to provide much-needed services to School Districts without compromising benefits to educators, and it is working,” said Ted Roush, a former Superintendent of Schools and FLEHT Executive Director.

“In only 6 months, we have shown demonstrable savings to the districts, and consequently to taxpayers, realizing savings in the millions of dollars. Our growth — going from three to 15 counties in our first year of full operation — will allow us to continue achieving significant economies of scale, saving taxpayers even more money while maintaining a high level of health insurance for district employees.”

“By harnessing the power of the group district membership, FLEHT is able to perform for the whole what is not possible individually in the insurance marketplace,” Roush added.

The FLEHT realizes savings for School Districts by bringing Districts together to deliver efficient health programs for employees.

Formerly known as the FSHIP program, it was established in 2009 by the Florida School Board Insurance Trust. The program transitioned to FLEHT under the Florida Association of District School Superintendents last year. The change was meant to align the needs of Florida educators.

The FLEHT under its new structure is overseen by an executive committee composed of Superintendents, with all member Districts represented with voting trustees.

Hernando County is expected to be the next School Board to enter into a participation agreement with FLEHT. Program officials estimate they will have as many as 20 School Districts on board by Spring Break season. The group also estimates it has saved taxpayers more than $12 million.

The program is responding to rising health care premiums across the U.S. While cost of living is already creating a challenge, at an estimated 17% increase, health care premiums have increased by 45%, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality.

In order to participate in FLEHT, School Boards must first adopt a participation agreement. The District must already be or become self-insured. From there, the District establishes a transition plan into FLEHT and then formally enters the program. Once a District is a member, its Superintendent becomes a member/trustee of the program.

The program estimates savings of 7%-12% when fully transitioning from a fully-insured health insurance plan to a self-insured FLEHT participant. Within one to three years, the program claims members will enjoy savings of up to 13%.