Health Insurance

SMCPS offers a comprehensive package of health care benefits for eligible employees and dependents that covers doctor visits, prescription drugs, office and surgical procedures, hospital coverage, mental health benefits and substance abuse care. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield health insurance is available on a share cost basis to all permanent employees who work a minimum number of hours per week. (15 hours for non-certificated employees; 18.75 hours for certificated employees). Full-time employees pay 15% of the premium cost and SMCPS pays 85%. Part-time employees pay 57 1/2% of the premium cost and SMCPS pays for 42 1/2%.

As a new employee, you have a choice of two different health insurance plans designed to meet your personal and family health care needs.  These choices include: a preferred provider network plan (PPN), and a managed care plan (BlueChoice).

Your enrollment form must be submitted to the Department of Human Resources within 30 days of your employment. If the forms are not received within that time limit, you must wait until an open enrollment period (September) to join the insurance plan.  The effective date of the insurance will be the first day of the month following your date of employment provided you have submitted the completed form the Department of Human Resources.

The costs of participation in the health insurance programs for full-time employees are as follows:

Plan Type PPN - 100% Monthly Premium PPN - Employee's Twice a Month Share (15%) BlueChoice (HMO) - 100% Monthly Premium BlueChoice (HMO) - Employee's Twice a Month Share (15%)
Individual $525.11 $39.39 $363.59 $27.27
Parent/Child $787.81 $59.09 $646.06 $48.46
Husband/Wife $1,050.28 $78.78 $827.16 $62.04
Family $1,365.27 $102.4 $1,078.63 $80.90

Additionally, regardless of which plan you choose, you will also have access to prescription benefits, as well as dental and vision benefits.

Part-time employee costs (57 1/2%) are as follows:

Plan Type PPN - 100% Monthly Premium PPN - Employee's Twice a Month Share (57 1/2%) BlueChoice (HMO) - 100% Monthly Premium BlueChoice (HMO) -Employee's Twice a Month Share 57 1/2%)
Individual $525.11 $150.97 $363.59 $104.54
Parent/Child $787.81 $226.50 $646.06 $185.75
Husband/Wife $1,050.28 $301.96 $827.16 $237.81
Family $1,365.27 $392.52 $1,078.63 $310.11

Additional information about the insurance program may be obtained by contacting either the Department of Human Resources or Payroll Office.  A further source of information about CareFirst BlueCross/BlueShield can be obtained from their website: http://www.carefirst.com.

Other Benefits: