Charter Schools Application for Election to Participate In SHBP (or Withdraw Participation in SHBP)

Thank you for considering participating in the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP). Please read all the information provided to ensure your charter school meets the requirements to participate in SHBP.

New Charter Schools

New charter schools must submit the Charter Schools Application for election to participate in SHBP upon initial approval of their charter in order for their teachers and other personnel to participate in SHBP; see O.C.G.A. § 20-2-880(4) and O.C.G.A. § 20-2-910(3). Applications submitted by new charter schools more than six months after their initial charter is approved are not eligible to participate in SHBP and their applications will be denied. Additionally, incomplete applications that do not include the information and/or documents requested will be denied.  When a new charter school’s application is denied or it is unable to participate for any reason, it should refer to the “Existing Charter Schools” section below for their next opportunity to enroll.

Existing Charter Schools (effective 7/1/2021)

Existing charter schools must submit the Charter Schools Application for election to participate in SHBP upon:

  1. Renewal of their charter in order for their teachers and other personnel to participate in SHBP; or
  2. Expiration of their existing or former health plan in order for their teachers and other personnel to participate in SHBP.

See O.C.G.A. § 20-2-880(4) and O.C.G.A. § 20-2-910(3). Applications submitted by existing charter schools more than six months after renewal of their charter or more than six months after expiration of their existing or former health plan are not eligible to participate in SHBP and their applications will be denied. Additionally, incomplete applications that do not include the information and/or documents requested will be denied.  When an existing charter school’s application is denied or it is unable to participate for any reason, their next opportunity to enroll is the next renewal of their charter or next expiration of their existing or former health plan.

If a charter school’s application for election to participate in SHBP is approved, the Effective Date of Participation for the charter school must occur no later than one year from the date SHBP approves the application with an Effective Date of Coverage of January 1 (i.e., date the new Plan Year begins) or July 1 (i.e., date the new Fiscal Year begins). Charter schools are responsible for ALL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS to join SHBP if the Effective Date of Coverage selected is not January 1 or July 1 and is subject to current SHBP current scheduling availability and business needs. Any additional costs are also the responsibility of the charter school.