Health & Wellness Incentive Program for Pinellas County Employees
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
- Employee + Child(ren) or
- Family coverage
Family coverage includes employee, spouse and child(ren)
Enrollment of family members is subject to the eligibility provisions and pre-existing condition limitations of the Group Health Plan.
Effective Date of Coverage
Coverage is effective the first day of the month after 30 days of employment.
Choice of Medical Plans
The Group Health Plan provides a choice of 3 medical plans administered by United Healthcare: Choice Plus Point of Service (POS), Choice Plus Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), and the Choice Plus Health Savings Account (HSA)
- have the same network of hospitals and doctors
- Choice Plus Plans offer both in-network and out-of-network benefits - (two levels of coverage)
- 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
- cover the same benefits, limitations and exclusions
Information on each plan, a summary of covered benefits as well as costs, including per pay period premium contributions, is provided here:
All employees and dependents who enroll in the Group Health Plan are provided the following coverage: Prescription Drug Plan, Employee Assistance Program and Mental Health Benefits, and Vision Care Program.
United Healthcare provides an interactive website www.myuhc.com . At this site you can access:
- claims information,
- print temporary ID cards and order ID cards,
- locate providers,
- compare hospitals,
- check treatment costs and
- use as a library for health care topics.
You may also contact United Healthcare Member Services at the toll-free number 1-888-478-4752. You can also find this number on the back of your health care card.

2009 Plan Information
For more detailed information you may email Employee Benefits.
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
- 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.
HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as 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 your confidential medical information.
Tax Saving Plans to reduce Health Care Costs
- Payroll deductions for health and dental coverage can be deducted under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Tax Code, Section 125. The County's Section 125 Plan
allows you to make these premium payments from pre-tax dollars. Pre-tax election is required for each enrollee in the County Group Health Plan to select or decline participation. Please view the Pre-Tax page for more information.
- The County offers Flexible Spending Accounts to help you reduce out-of-pocket expenses for health care expenses (for employee and dependents) and 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 in the Flexible Spending Account program.
COBRA
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, known asCOBRA, gives employees the right to continuation of health and dental insurance coverage for themselves and covered dependents should they lose their Group Health Plan coverage in certain instances, such as termination of employment. The County's COBRA administrator is WageWorks. COBRA premium rates are greater than rates for coverage as an active employee and WageWorks applies a 2% administrative fee to the premium.
View the COBRA brochure for details.
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