Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage is provided to eligible employees and their immediate family members - spouse and eligible dependent children. Ada County makes a significant contribution towards premium costs for these plans. Most employee premium costs are fully paid by the county.
Medical – The county offers two medical plan options, including prescription drug coverage, through Blue Cross of Idaho: a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan and a Point of Service (POS) HMO Plan.
Dental – Dental benefit program is through Blue Cross Preferred Blue Dental PPO Plan.
Vision – Vision care benefits are provided by Vision Service Plan.
Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
Ada County provides basic life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance to employees at no cost. Additional voluntary life insurance for the employee and his/her dependents is also available to purchase through payroll deduction.
Short Term Disability Insurance
The county-provided plan pays 60% of an employee’s gross weekly earnings for up to a maximum of $1,000 per week if totally or partially disabled due to an injury or illness. Benefits may continue for up to 26 weeks.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employees and their family members are eligible to receive free confidential access to professional counseling designed to address a wide range of personal problems and issues. The program allows for up to five (5) sessions or visits per occurrence or incident. Additional counseling sessions may be referred through the employee’s medical plan.
Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI)
Base Plan – a defined benefit plan that pays a lifetime allowance upon retirement. Participation is automatic for employees who normally work 20 or more hours per week for more than 5 months. Both employer and employee contribute to the base plan. The base plan also offers disability and death benefits.
PERSI Choice Plan 401(k) – a voluntary plan that allows eligible employees to save and invest pre-tax dollars through payroll deduction for additional retirement income.
Deferred Compensation 457(b) Plan
A voluntary, long term supplemental retirement savings program using pre-tax payroll deductions directed into investment options. Ada County will match benefits-eligible employee contributions up to 3% of gross pay.
Social Security/Medicare
Ada County contributes to withholding taxes under FICA (Federal Insurance Contribution Act) on behalf of county employees: 6.2% Social Security tax; 1.45% Medicare tax
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
An IRS approved plan that allows employees to contribute pre-tax dollars to reimbursement accounts for qualifying health care expenses and/or qualifying dependent care expenses.
PEHP - Post Employment Health Plan
Eligible employees receive post employment medical/health benefits from funds contributed to a Universal Reimbursement Account (employer funded) and/or an Insurance Premium Reimbursement Account (funded by converted unused sick leave).
Vacation Leave
Eligibility for paid vacation begins 6 months from date of employment with Ada County. Vacation leave allowances increase after 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of continuous county service.
Sick Leave
Eligibility for paid sick leave begins as the leave is accrued from the first day of employment. Regular benefit-eligible employees accrue up to a maximum of 3.7 hours per bi-weekly pay period.
Holidays
Ten paid holidays are observed by Ada County.
Wellness Program
Ongoing wellness events include benefits and wellness fairs, flu shots, health risk assessments, and educational information.
Other Valuable Benefits Offered by Ada County:
Voluntary Benefit Options through AFLAC and Colonial
Voluntary Term Life Insurance
NCPERS Group Decreasing Term Life Insurance
Voluntary Long Term Disability Insurance
Donation of Leave Program
Family Medical Leave
Bereavement Leave
Court and Jury Duty Leave
Military Leave
Contact EMPLOYEE BENEFITS for more detailed information.