Health Benefits

You have thirty (30) days from the date that you became an employee to sign up for benefits. Please note that your 30 days starts the first day you report to work. It is not the date that you sign your contract. If you have any questions, please contact the Benefits Department at Benefits@tulsaschools.org or 918-746-6394.

Benefits are effective the first of the month following your start date once your enrollment paperwork has been submitted and will remain in effect until December 31. If you experience a qualifying life event and need to add or drop dependents you are eligible to do so within 30 days of the qualifying event. Depending on the date of enrollment, premium deductions and contributions may not appear on your first paycheck. 

Employees who waive insurance coverage will receive a monthly insurance allowance from the district.

More information and detailed plan offerings can be found in the Employee Benefits Options Guide. You can also review our health insurance explorer page to learn more about plan options.

Tulsa Public Schools' open enrollment period occurs once a year. Midyear plan changes are allowed only when a qualifying event such as a birth, marriage, or the loss of other group coverage occurs. To make changes to your coverage, you must reach out to benefits within 30 days of the event for a change form.

As long as you are receiving a paycheck from Tulsa Public Schools, your normal share of your health insurance premiums (if any) will continue to be deducted from your paycheck as usual. Tulsa Public Schools will also continue to deduct premium payments for other benefits (such as supplemental life insurance, optional disability insurance, etc.) from your paycheck.

If your leave is (or becomes) unpaid, you will need to pay your premiums directly to the Tulsa Public Schools Payroll Department. You may contact them at 918-746-7569 / payroll@tulsaschools.org to make payment arrangements or if you have questions about how to pay your premiums. Premium payments must be received by Payroll no later than the tenth (10th) day of the month following the month of coverage. If you fail to timely pay your share of the premiums, your insurance may be cancelled (after written notice and a 30 day grace period). 

If your leave exceeds your FMLA entitlement and you are no longer receiving a paycheck, you will be responsible for the full insurance premium (including the portion the district usually pays).

Depending on your circumstance, there are several ways to keep your insurance when you separate from the district.

• COBRA allows most employees to maintain group health insurance and take over paying their own premiums after a separation. 
• If you have worked for Tulsa Public Schools for 10 years or more, insurance may be available to you after separating from the district through the state of Oklahoma. For more information, contact us.