A recent report by Mercer Health & Benefits LLC shows Indiana school corporations and state universities could save nearly $450 million by joining the state’s health insurance plan.

According to a press release issued by the Indiana Department of Education, schools that join the state’s health plan are expected to save $3,600 for each person enrolled, a potential savings of almost $3.5 million for each school.

Lauren Auld, press secretary for the Department of Education, said the analysis should be incentive to cut spending without sacrificing quality of instruction.

This is just one of many suggestions the state offered in the “citizen’s checklist,” compiled shortly after the January budget cut.

“Schools are finding it easy and seamless, and they save money to put towards classroom dollars,” Auld said.

However, Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, said it has not been determined who receives the $450 million in potential savings.

Still, five school corporations of Indiana’s nearly 300 have already joined the state’s health plan.

The Monroe County Community School Corporation has determined that the state’s plan is not beneficial to its employees.

Sandi Brinson, director for Human Resources and Personnel for the MCCSC, said a comparison of plans shows joining the state’s plan would mean higher deductibles and more out-of-pocket expenses for teachers.

The state’s plan is now more expensive than what most schools and colleges pay for independent coverage, said John Ellis, executive director of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents.

“There are only about 42 corporations that would benefit from joining the state,” Ellis said.

Ellis said Indiana currently has 30,000 employees in the state’s health insurance pool, with a goal of 155,000 to drive down state costs — but because the state’s plan isn’t beneficial for every corporation, it is important that the state not try to regulate schools’ insurance options.

“If the school corporation can save money and retain benefits for employees, we would encourage them to do that,” Ellis said. “We want them to have the ability — we just don’t feel that those for who it would cost more should be mandated to do it.”

Delaney said he is unsure what the state will do.

“The more likely discussion is creating incentives,” Delaney said. “Mandating is less likely, but conceivable.”