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Staff is seeking Board approval of the following employee benefit plan contracts and renewals, and authorize the County Manager to execute any required documents: Lincoln Financial - Dental; EyeMed - Vision; Reliance Standard Life Insurance - Life Insurance, AD&D, Short-term and Long-term Disability; Cigna - EAP; AIG L B Bryan & Company - Firefighters Statutory Death Benefits; Allstate - Cancer & Specified Disease; Aetna - Critical Illness; Cigna - Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). In addition to the plan renewals, staff is seeking Board approval of the proposed 2025 Employee paid health insurance premiums. (Christina Brandolini, Human Resources Director)
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Division:
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County Manager Office - Human Resources
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Authorized By:
Christina Brandolini, Human Resources Director
Contact/Phone Number:
Christina Brandolini/407-665-7940
Background:
Seminole County, through the assistance of Alliant (benefits consultant) reviews its employee benefit plan offerings to ensure quality of service and market pricing. Human Resources makes the renewal recommendations for Board approval annually (Exhibit A). This item includes the benefit renewals for 2025 and recommendations for the 2025 Employee paid health insurance premiums.
Dental (Lincoln Financial - Exhibit B)
Lincoln Financial currently offers three (3) employee -paid plans from which employees may select, including a PPO (low), PPO (mid), and PPO (High) plan. Lincoln has proposed a 1-year renewal with a 6% rate increase for all plans. There are no fiscal implications to the County as premiums are 100% employee paid.
Staff recommends renewal as quoted with Lincoln Financial but recommends going out to market for Plan Year 2026.
Vision (EyeMed - Exhibit C)
EyeMed offers one (1) employee -paid plan from which employees may select. EyeMed has proposed a 3-year renewal with no cost increase to the plans or change in benefits. The goal is to ensure that Seminole County Government employees and dependents are offered the most comprehensive and cost-effective plans available on the market. There are no fiscal implications to the County as premiums are 100% employee paid. Staff recommends renewal as quoted with EyeMed.
Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Voluntary Life, Short-term and Long-term Disability (Reliance Standard - Exhibit D)
The County provides all -eligible employees their annual earnings in Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance.
Life insurance provides a monetary benefit to employee beneficiaries in the event of their death while they are employed with the County. Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance is equal to the amount of life insurance and is payable to employee beneficiaries in the event of their death due to an accident and may also pay benefits is certain injury instances.
Employees can purchase additional life insurance for themselves, their spouse, and their eligible children through the Voluntary Life option.
Employees can purchase short-term disability insurance to cover 60% of their weekly earnings should they be medically unable to work for an extended period. This benefit helps employees bridge the gap of time before they may be eligible for Long Term Disability coverage.
The County provides all -eligible employees with a policy that covers 60% of monthly earnings should they be medically unable to work for an extended period (180 calendar days or longer).
Reliance Standard has proposed a renewal with no cost increase to the plans. The goal is to provide Seminole County Government employees and dependents the most comprehensive and cost-effective plans available on the market.
Staff recommends renewal as quoted with Reliance Standard.
Employee Assistance Program (Cigna Exhibit E)
To maintain an efficient, healthy workforce, the County offers an employer paid EAP program as part of its comprehensive benefit package to its employees and their qualified dependents. The County’s EAP services include confidential assessment and counseling services; referral; 24-hour crisis telephone response; customized education; legal, financial and work/life services; substance abuse expertise; guaranteed confidential recordkeeping; EAP ongoing communication; EAP awareness communications and materials; management communication and consultation; transition planning and reporting; and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD). There is no increase in rates for this plan and they are guaranteed through 1/1/2026. Staff recommends renewal as quoted with Cigna.
Statutory Firefighter Death Benefit (AIG - Exhibit F)
Under Florida State Statute 112.191 every firefighter employer, as defined in the statute, is liable for payment of line of duty death and catastrophic injury benefits. Seminole County’s statutory benefits are covered through insurance with AIG National Fire Insurance. The renewal total of $12,075 is for a two (2) year term, paid in two (2) annual installments of $6,038 each year. This is a 6% decrease from the current premium.
Staff recommends renewal as quoted with AIG National Fire Insurance Company.
Cancer/Specified Disease Coverage (Allstate - Exhibit G)
Employees may purchase a cancer policy to offset the cost for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and 29 other specified diseases. This has no cost implications to the County since the plan is entirely paid for by employees who select the plan. There is no increase to the rates on this plan and the rates are now guaranteed through 12/31/2025.
Staff recommends renewal as quoted with Allstate.
Critical Illness (Aetna - Exhibit H)
Employees may purchase a critical illness policy to offset the cost(s) associated with a serious illness. This has no cost implication to the County since the plan is entirely paid for by employees who select the plan. There is no increase to the rates on this plan and the rates are now guaranteed through 12/31/2025.
Staff recommends renewal as quoted with Aetna.
Flexible Spending Account (Cigna - Exhibit I)
The County offers employees both a medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA). At the September 12, 2023, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the Board directed staff to engage with Cigna for FSA Administration, which is paid for by the County. This was to provide an ease of claim submittal and reimbursement for employees who elect this benefit. There is no increase to the rates for this plan ($4.09 per employee/per month). Rates are guaranteed through 12/31/2025.
Staff recommends approval of the contract as quoted with Cigna.
2025 Employee Paid Premiums (Exhibit J)
The Board of County Commissioners offers four (4) health insurance plans, which provide employees with options to elect the coverage most suitable for them. Employee premiums/payroll contributions vary by plan election. The recommended bi-monthly (24 pay periods) employee premium rate change is between $4 and $28. On average, the County subsidizes premiums by 75%.On average, the County subsidizes premiums by 75%.
Exhibit J provides both the regular and wellness preferred premiums/payroll contribution rates for each of the plan options. More than 90% of the employees enrolled in the County’s health plans qualified for the wellness preferred rate in 2024. The 2024 rates are also included for comparison. Staff recommends approval of the employee premium rates for all four (4) County health insurance plans.
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Staff Recommendation:
Staff requests the Board approve the 2025 Employee Benefit Renewals and authorize the County Manager to execute any required documents, contracts, renewals, and premium contributions as outlined.