Chapter 6
Section 6-2

Employee Benefits
Group Health Insurance Program

State-paid health insurance is provided to eligible Survey staff members. Staff members may purchase health insurance coverage for eligible dependents and have the monthly premium deducted from their paycheck.

If a staff member wants insurance coverage with a health maintenance organization ("HMO"), several HMO plans are available. An HMO is an organization operated within local medical facilities which agrees to deliver a comprehensive set of health care benefits to persons living within a defined area on a prepaid, fixed payment basis. For a fixed monthly payment for dependents, the HMO will provide virtually all health care needs with elimination of any billing for services for processing of claim forms. A co-payment is required at the time of appointment for each physician office visit. This includes visits to primary care physicians, specialists and surgeons, but excludes appointments with a nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, technician, audiologist and other ancillary personnel or physician extenders.

The group insurance program is not provided to staff members who are employed on an hourly or temporary appointment. Staff members employed part-time by the Surveys at least 50% time for more than nine months may elect to participate in the group insurance program by paying a prorated portion of the premium or they may elect to waive participation in the group insurance program.

Staff members who are eligible to participate in the health program also participate in the dental program. They may also choose to purchase optional coverage. Part-time staff members participating in the health program will be responsible for the same portion of the State-paid basic dental premium as they are for health coverage.

For further information and informational brochures, contact the applicable Human Resources Office.