The benefits described below may be employer-paid, employee-paid or a combination of both.

Medical
Our medical plan is designed to provide comprehensive coverage and the flexibility to choose the plan that fits your needs. BlueCross BlueShield NC (BCBS) is the medical insurance administrator. Two plan options are offered: Blue Options PPO A and Blue Options PPO B.  

Both plans are preferred provider organizations (PPO). These types of plans offer the largest network of physicians and hospitals. The plans do not require referrals; however, by using physicians and hospitals within the network, the plan pays a higher level of benefit. Preventive care within the network is covered at 100%. 

Dental
The dental coverage is designed to help you and your family with preventive, basic, and major dental services. The plan is administered by Integra BMS.

Voluntary Vision Program
The vision plan, administered by VSP, provides coverage for comprehensive exams and eyewear. There’s a network of participating optometrists and ophthalmologists from which to choose care for the highest level of benefit for vision exams, frames, glasses lenses and contacts. The vision plan allows for either prescription lenses or contacts per calendar year. You are eligible to receive frames every other calendar year.

Note: BlueCross BlueShield has a discount vision program for routine eye care and glasses/contact lenses, which is separate from coverage that you may elect with VSP.

Prescription Drug Program
Enrollment in the medical plan automatically covers your enrollment in the prescription drug plan.
CVS/Caremark is the prescription drug plan administrator. This plan has a feature that provides a 90-day supply of maintenance drugs. If non-generic drugs are used, a $100 front-end deductible applies.

Flexible Spending Accounts
The Flexible Spending Accounts (which include health care and dependent care) are administered by Integra BMS. This program allows employees to pay for certain expenses with pre-tax dollars. Prior to enrolling, you should read the Flexible Benefits Plan Summary carefully as there are important IRS guidelines that govern the plan. The maximum yearly amount you can set aside for each account is:

• $4,000 health care
• $5,000 dependent day care 

Employee Assistance Program
Administered by Business Health Services (BHS), this program provides confidential short-term counseling services, resources and other problem solving solutions to employees and their household members. In addition, financial, legal, childcare and eldercare services are available. To access services 24/7, contact BHS at 1-800-765-3277.

Wellness Works
The City of Charlotte is committed to giving you the programs and benefits you need to take good care of
yourself and your family. Through Wellness Works, a variety of programs are offered to help you take control of your health. Wellness Ambassadors in each city department can help you get connected to the program. Programs include: annual blood pressure screenings, Take Off a Ton in Ten Weight Management Program, Tobacco Cessation, quarterly health challenges and a variety of wellness education programs throughout the year.

myHEALTH Program
Wellness Works offers the myHealth program to eligible participants. The program is tailored to your needs. You work on the health topic that is most important to you whether that is stress, weight management, fitness, blood pressure, cholesterol, nutrition, diabetes, or tobacco cessation. Maybe you just have a general wellness question; the coaches can answer those too.

There is also an online portal with access to wellness workshops, meal planners, food logs, exercise logs and planners, health calculators, ask a dietician/trainer tools, and a wealth of wellness information. Whether you want to quit tobacco, lose weight, or learn to manage stress, cholesterol, or high blood pressure, the health coaches can assist you. In addition to better health, employees enrolled in the medical plans are eligible to receive a reduced medical premium for participating.

Long Term Care Insurance
This plan helps to pay for the cost of custodial care in a nursing home, assisted living/residential care facility or at home. Refer to the Prudential enrollment kit for plan details and rates. Employee/enrollee pays full cost.

Short Term Disability
This benefit equals 50% of salary for up to 26 weeks after a 7-day waiting period and all sick leave is used. This benefit is paid in full by the City.