Ada County - Employee Benefits Home

WELCOME TO ADA COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Ada County offers a competitive and comprehensive benefit package designed to provide regular full-time and part-time employees and their families with a wide range benefit options. The following is a general overview of the benefits currently offered to eligible employees of Ada County.

Group Health Insurance

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 – two dental plans are available to choose from: Blue Cross Traditional Dental Plan and an evidence-based plan offered by Willamette Dental of Idaho.

Vision – Vision Service Plan benefits are administered by Blue Cross of Idaho.

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 disabled due to an off the job 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:

Direct Deposit

Voluntary Benefit Options through AFLAC and Colonial

Supplemental Life Insurance

NCPERS Group Decreasing Term Life Insurance

Long Term Disability Insurance

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Donation of Leave Program