Voluntary health insurance is available to eligible employees. Full time (tenured or probationary) permanent employees and part time (tenured or probationary) permanent employees working at least 20 hours per week are eligible for health insurance coverage.

Additional information on eligibility for benefits is provided in the Benefits Eligibility section.

The City shares the cost of health insurance coverage. Deductions are processed on a pre-tax basis the first and second pay periods of each month. Employees may choose from one of three plans administered by Southern Health.

Eligible employees may select a health maintenance organization (HMO). Under the HMO program the enrollee selects a primary care physician who provides all of the basic care and refers patients to specialists as needed. HMO’s typically provide 100% coverage for most hospital/medical services as well as prescription drugs when recommended or authorized. Enrollees must use network physicians, hospitals, pharmacies and other network providers for all services. Flat dollar co-payments apply to this program.

Eligible employees may select the Point-of Service (POS) program which has an in-network benefit plan and an out-of-network benefit plan. The in-network plan uses the same network as the HMO. Participants using the out-of-network plan may use any provider. Deductibles, flat dollar and percentage co-payments apply to this plan.

Employees living in the service area must select either the HMO or POS. Participants working in the service area may select the HMO or POS but must use the HMO network.

Participants living outside the service area may select the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) which has an in-network benefit plan with preferred providers and an out-of-network benefit plan that allows participants to use any provider. Deductibles, flat dollar and percentage co-payments apply to this plan.

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