1979               

The ASBA Board of Directors established a Task Force to look at various employee  benefit programs: health care benefits, unemployment compensation and workmen's compensation.   

Health care benefits was ultimately selected as being the area in which costs were continually rising and there was no stabilizing influence. It was the belief of the Task Force that ASBA could serve to drive the costs of health insurance down since there would be no profit motive and then serve as a stabilizing influence once the costs were lowered.

1981               

ASBAIT was formed through an Agreement and Declaration of Trust as a modified self-insurance program and went to bid for a plan administrator to market and administer employee health insurance programs including life insurance.  There were five Trustees originally and Barbara Robey, one of the original five, still serves as a Trustee.

1982               

The number of Trustees had been increased to nine by this time and stipulations had been added to require at least one of the Trustees to be a school district business manager and at one to be a school district superintendent.

Jerome S. Mundel, Certified Public Accountant, was hired to perform an independent audit of the Trust's first year of operation.  Mr. Mundel has performed the independent audit of the Trust operation in every year until his retirement in 2003-2004.  These independent audits have assured the Trustees and member schools that the financial reports accurately reflect the operation of the Trust.

1986

Hinz Consulting Service was awarded the contract to serve as the plan administrator for ASBAIT.  In addition, Health Economics Corporation (HEC) was hired to be the claims administrator.

1988

The Trustees adopted a strategic plan to promote and market ASBAIT and to make it the best health insurance program available for school districts.  The Trustees continue to aggressively pursue that goal.

1989

Additional programs were added to the array of health care benefits offered by ASBAIT in an effort to emphasize the importance of preventative measures as an effective tool for reducing the cost of health care.

1990

Jerry Edwards with Edwards Risk Management was contracted for management consulting services and still serves in that role today.

1991

ASBAIT assumed a "new look" with a logo incorporating the ASBA symbol and published its first Annual Financial Report and a marketing brochure.  The Prescription Drug Program was incorporated into the Trust offerings.

1992

Work began in earnest on the Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) program with the Samaritan Group, Inc.

1993

First EPO made available through ASBAIT.

1995

Risk Funding Alternatives (RFA) replaced Hinz Consulting Services as the plan administrator.  Maricopa Foundation became the PPO Network.  Express Scripts was selected as the prescription benefit manager.  There were 35 school districts with 2,917 employees participating in ASBAIT.

1996

Administrative Enterprises, Inc. (AEI) replaced HEC as the claims administrator.  

1997

AEI replaced RFA as the plan administrator.  There were 34 school districts with approximately 3,000 employees participating in ASBAIT.  Annual contributions (premiums) were approximately $10 million.  BC-BS became the PPO Network.

2000

There were 66 school districts with approximately 5,600 employees participating in ASBAIT.  Annual contributions were approximately $20 million.  ASBAIT Trustees developed a Strategic Plan for the growth and financial stability of ASBAIT.

2002

Walgreen's Health Initiatives (WHI) was chosen as the new prescription benefit manager.

2003

Over 10,200 employees from 103 school districts participated in ASBAIT.  SYMETRA became the Excess Loss Insurance Carrier.  Edwards Risk Management, Inc. (ERMI) took over the bookkeeping responsibilities.

2004

There were 93 school districts with over 9,600 employees participating in ASBAIT.  Contributions were over $44 million.  Five plans of benefits were currently offered. 

2005

There were 102 school districts with over 11,300 employees and 5,000 dependents for total covered lives of over 16,000.  $55.4 million were contributions for life, medical, dental, and vision contributions. 

Douglas P. Kienitz, Certified Public Accountant, performed the independent audit for the twenty-fourth year of ASBAIT.

Deer Oaks was hired to provide an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and a Nurse Hot Line Service.  ERMI was hired to provide a Wellness Program.

2006

During the 2005-2006 fund year over 14,000 employees of the schools of Arizona were participating.  The first community college also participated.  Annual contributions were approximately $70 million.

2007

Over 17,500 employees participated in the 2006-2007 school year.  There were 125 entities participating.  ASBAIT's fund balance was over $30 million, with an additional claim liability reserve of $8.5 million.  Annual contributions were over $91 million.

2008

Over 22,000 employees participated in the 2007-2008 school year. There were 136 entities participating. ASBAIT's fund balance was over $33.5 million. Annual contributions were over $116 million.

2009

Over 25,000 employees from 157 schools and community colleges were enrolled for the 2008-2009 school year. Annual contributions were over $137 million.