Health Insurance

Pinellas County provides medical health insurance to its employees through United Healthcare.

• Health Plan Options
• Eligibility
• Domestic Partner Coverage
• Effective Date of Coverage
• United Healthcare Resources
• Opt-out Provision
• Tax Savings Plans (Pre-Tax Plan and FSA)
• COBRA
• HIPAA

All documents are in PDF format.

Health Plan Options
Employees have a choice of two health plans from United Healthcare: Point of Service (POS) and Consumer Driven with a Health Savings Account (HSA)
Point of Service Plan (POS): Plan Description Summary	Consumer Driven Plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA): Plan Description Summary
Comparison Chart for Health Plans Benefits Handbook Health Plan Cost Estimator: User ID: Pinellas2017, Password: Benefits2017 (case sensitive). Use this tool to input your medical and prescription needs in order to receive a detailed estimate of costs for both health plans.     Both health plans are administered by United Healthcare. Both offer both in-network and out-of-network benefits. Both have the same network of hospitals and doctors. Both are open access, which means you may use any network physician, you do not have to select a primary care physician, and you do not need a referral to see a specialist. Both cover the same benefits, limitations, and exclusions. There are some distinct differences so please compare the plans carefully.
All employees and dependents who enroll in one of the health plans are provided the following coverage: Prescription Drug Plan Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Managed Mental Health Vision Care Program

• View Health Reform and Mental Health Parity Notice

Eligibility:

Group Health Plan coverage is available to all permanent employees scheduled to work a minimum of 20 hours per week.

Employees may select:

• Employee Only
• Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner
• Employee + Child(ren) or
• Family coverage includes Employee, Spouse/Domestic Partner and Child(ren)

Enrollment of family members is subject to the eligibility provisions and pre-existing condition limitations of the Group Health Plan.

Domestic Partner Coverage:

Employees may obtain Group Health Plan coverage for domestic partners (see affidavit form link below). Only the employee portion of the health and/or dental plan premium can be a pre-tax payroll deduction. The portion pertaining to the partner and children of the partner is post-tax.

• FAQs re Domestic Partner Benefits
• Affidavit of Domestic Partnership

Effective Date of Coverage:

Coverage is effective the first day of the month after 30 days of employment. An ID card will be mailed to you.

United Healthcare Resources:

Visit United Healthcare at www.myuhc.com or download the Health4Me app to:

• Locate doctors or hospitals
• Review claims information and health care expenses
• Access the myHealthcare Cost Estimator to compare costs for a treatment or procedure such as an MRI (guide | video).
• Schedule a Virtual Doctor Visit (flyer | video)
• View Preventive Care Guidelines
• Access Health & Education Resources such as newsletters and videos
• Print temporary ID cards and order ID cards

For more information:

• Contact Pinellas County's Nurse Liaison.
• Contact United Healthcare Member Services toll-free at (888) 478-4752 (number is listed on the back of your ID card).
• Call the free 24-hour Nurseline at (800) 846-4678 for non-emergency health care concerns (number is listed on the back of your ID card).
  

Opt-Out Provision:

An opt-out reimbursement of $98 per month is available to permanent full time employees who:

• have alternate medical coverage
• choose not to enroll in the County's health plan, and
• provide the required proof of other coverage

Opting out of medical also means you opt out of pharmacy, vision, and mental health benefits. The Opt-Out provision is subject to the terms and conditions of the County Group Health Plan and the Section 125 Pre-Tax Plan. The County's Group Health Plan is not considered alternate medical coverage under the Opt-Out provision.

Tax Saving Plans

Reduce your health care costs with the following options:

• Pre-Tax/Payroll Deductions - Payroll deductions for health and dental coverage may be deducted under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Tax Code, Section 125. Each year, during the County's annual enrollment, you have an opportunity to elect pre-tax health or dental premiums.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - The County offers FSAs to help you reduce out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare expenses (for employee and dependents) or dependent care expenses such as daycare costs by paying for them on a pre-tax basis. You do not have to be enrolled in the Group Health Plan to participate.

COBRA

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives employees the right to continue health and dental insurance coverage for themselves and covered dependents if they lose their Group Health Plan coverage in certain instances, such as termination of employment.

The County's COBRA administrator is WageWorks. COBRA insurance rates reflect the full cost with no subsidy from Pinellas County so the premium is significantly higher than an active employee's rates.

• COBRA Flyer
• COBRA Premium Chart

HIPAA

• The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act is known as HIPAA.
• HIPAA protects plan participants by limiting exclusions for preexisting medical conditions.
• The law also requires plans to adopt Group Health Plan Privacy Practices with regard to employees' confidential medical information.

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