Health Insurance Subsidy/Premium Tables

Health Insurance Subsidy/Premium Tables
by Bargaining Units
 

The County provides an insurance subsidy contribution for eligible employees to help pay for the cost of medical insurance.  The insurance subsidy amount varies, depending on when you began working for the County and according to your representation unit (Recognized Employee Organization [REO], Management, Unrepresented, Administrative, or Confidential).  Insurance subsidies are categorized as Tier A or Tier B.

TIER A— Insurance Subsidy

If you were hired into a benefit eligible position before January 1, 2007 and have not voluntarily elected to move to Tier B, you are in Tier A for your benefit subsidy and you may be eligible for Cash Back or Plan Selection Incentive (PSI).  Your bargaining agreement describes the eligibility for these programs.

The subsidy is the lesser of the full cost of the premium for the plan you select, or the amount of the subsidy listed for your REO.  If the plan you select costs more than the amount of your subsidy, the extra amount will be deducted from your pay, pre-tax*, unless otherwise requested.  If you choose a plan that costs less than your subsidy, there is no out of pocket premium expense to you.

Cash Back Benefit

Each REO has a “designated date” that determines eligibility for Cash Back.

For employees hired before the “designated date”: If the coverage you select costs more than the subsidy, the extra amount will be deducted from your pay, pre-tax*, unless otherwise requested.  If the cost of your insurance is less than your Cash Back limit, or if you waive the County provided medical benefit you may receive a payment as Cash Back in your paycheck, less appropriate taxes.

Plan Selection Incentive Benefit

(This benefit is only available to employees who are hired before January 1, 2007, are not eligible to receive Cash Back and whose representation unit has negotiated this benefit.)

If your Recognized Employee Organization (REO) has negotiated with the County for this benefit, a Plan Selection Incentive (PSI) payment of $150/month will be made to employees who waive the County provided medical benefit.  If you are eligible for this benefit, in most cases you must provide documentation showing that you have other group health insurance.  Eligibility for this benefit requires that you maintain your other group health plan.  It is your responsibility to notify the Employee Benefits Office within 30 days of the loss of your other group coverage.  In the future, you may be required to reestablish your eligibility by providing acceptable proof of your continuing coverage under another group health plan.  Check your labor contract to determine if this benefit has been negotiated by your REO.

If you choose to waive coverage, you will be allowed to enroll in a County sponsored medical plan only if you enroll within 30 days of a mid year “change of status” event.

*Premiums associated with domestic partners, the dependents of domestic partners who do not meet the IRS definition of a dependent, and/or other children who do not meet the IRS requirements for a dependent child are subject to applicable taxes.  Premiums associated with domestic partners and/or dependents of domestic partners are exempt from State tax.

TIER B— Insurance Subsidy

Employees hired or rehired into benefit eligible positions on or after January 1, 2007 or having made a previous election to move to from Tier A are in Tier B for benefit subsidy determination.  The maximum County subsidy is 80% of the premium for the level of coverage selected (employee only or employee and dependents) of lowest cost traditional HMO.  If the plan you select costs more than the lowest cost plan offered, you will be responsible for the extra amount above the County’s contribution, and your contribution portion will be deducted from your pay, pre-tax*, unless otherwise requested.  There is no Cash Back or PSI eligibility.

 Voluntary Irrevocable Election to Tier B

Depending on the level of your subsidy as negotiated by your REO, your choice of medical plans, and your level of coverage (single or family), you may be able to reduce your portion of the medical plan premium by moving from Tier A to Tier B.

A change from Tier A to Tier B status is not mandatory or required.  It is a voluntary decision that can be made only once and is irrevocable once made.

Once you voluntarily move from Tier A to Tier B, you cannot return to Tier A status.  A change from Tier A to Tier B can only be made during Open Enrollment, or during a “change of status” event.

Important: Employees in Tier B are not eligible for Cash Back or PSI.

Please carefully consider your coverage situation, as well as the costs of any other medical coverage you may have before making a final decision.

2008 Medical Plan Premiums Contributions/Subsidies/Cashback

Rep Units Listed below (PLAN 15 - Blue)
Code    Rep Unit
1          General Supervisory
2          Supervisory Law Enforcement Support
4          Law Enforcement Support
5          Office Technical
7          Health Services
8          Welfare, Non-Supervisory
10        Accountants, Non-Supervisory
13        Environmental Specialists Supervisory
14        Environmental Specialists, Non-Supervisory
16        Nurses, Non-Supervisory
18        Building Trades
20        Attorneys, Non-Supervisory
21        Attorneys, Supervisory
22        Engineers & Architects, Non-Supervisory
23        Engineers & Architects, Supervisory
25        Welfare, Supervisory
26        Engineering Technicians/Technician Inspectors
27        Physicians & Dentists
28        Data Processing Professional Assoc.
29        Law Enforcement Management Assoc.
31        Peace Officers
50        Management
60        Administrative
70        Confidential
80        Unrepresented

Rep Units listed below (PLAN 15 - Yellow)
Code   Rep Unit
3          Non-Supervisory Law Enforcement
6          Operations & Maintenance
17        Water Quality/Stationary Engineers
19        Probation, Non-Supervisory
30        SCARFA
 

 
Tier B Rates (Hire on or After 1/1/07)

Special District (SETA - Pink)