EMPLOYEE BENEFIT INFORMATION CENTER
Bonneville County offers a pleasant and stable work environment with competitive wages and a variety of employee benefits. Following is a list of benefits provided by Bonneville County for eligible employees. Copies of the county policies, plan documents and summary information are available at the Personnel Office. Information provided in official plan documents or contracts takes precedence over any other information provided orally or in writing. For more information on selected benefits follow the links provided or contact the Personnel Office at (208) 529-1340.
Additional information on some benefits is also contained in the Bonneville County Personnel Policy.
CORE BENEFITS - provided for all eligible employees and some or all of the cost is paid by the County.
Social Security and Medicare - As required by law, the county matches deductions from employee's wages for Social Security and Medicare benefits at the rate of 7.65% of the employee's gross wage up to the statutory maximum. Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage Notice
Workman's Compensation Insurance - The county provides workman's compensation insurance through the State Insurance Fund for all eligible employees as required by law. Workman's compensation insurance provides coverage for medical expenses and loss of income due to disability as a result of an injury or illness incurred in connection with employment. The county pays between .37% and 8.40% of the employee's gross wage for this benefit depending on the type of employment. A workman's compensation report and claim must be filed anytime there is an injury to an employee which requires medical treatment other than basic first aid or which results in lost time from work beyond the shift in which the accident occurs. Employees should report all accidents or injuries to their supervisor immediately for safety reasons and to preserve information necessary to file a workman's compensation claim whether or not the employee receives medical attention at the time.
Unemployment Insurance - The county provides unemployment insurance for all eligible employees as required by law. Unemployment insurance is generally designed to provide limited income for employees who become unemployed through no fault of their own while they seek other suitable employment. The county pays approximately .5% of the employee's gross wage for this benefit.
Retirement - The county provides a defined benefit retirement plan for eligible employees through PERSI, the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho. In order to qualify for this benefit employees generally must work an average of at least 20 hours per week for a period of at least five consecutive months. All qualified employees are required to participate in this benefit. Employee contribution rates are currently 6.23% for general members and 7.65% for law enforcement members. The county contribution rates are currently 10.73% for general members and 10.39% for law enforcement. A gain sharing feature has now been added to the plan which may generate contributions to a 401K plan for participating employees. Employees may also make voluntary contributions to the PERSI Choice 401k plan. Visit the PERSI web site for more information on other changes to the retirement plan. Click here for a copy of the PERSI Member Handbook
Employee Assistance Plan - The county provides limited counseling at no cost to qualified employees and their dependants. Confidential appointments may be arranged directly by contacting Interpersonal Dynamics, Inc. at 529-1737. The county currently pays $2.00 per month per employee for this service. Employees must work at least 20 hours per week on a regular basis to qualify for this benefit.
Health Insurance - The county currently offers health insurance to eligible employees at no cost through Blue Cross of Idaho's Preferred Provider (PPO) plan. The county also pays 80% of the additional premium for dependent coverage if elected. Coverage for eligible employee begins on the first of the month following a full calendar month of qualified service. Employees must be regularly assigned to work 20 hours or more per week to qualify for health insurance benefits. Coverage includes medical services, prescription medications and vision care. It also features a $300 annual accident benefit. New benefits added November 1, 2008 include a $500 wellness benefit and a $600 one-time benefit to help employees quit smoking. Follow the links below for a description of the Blue Cross PPO plan coverage. Employees may obtain list of "In-Network" providers, check on the status of a claim, check deductible balances, etc. by registering on the Blue Cross of Idaho web site or by calling the local Blue Cross office at 522-8813. For a list "In-Network" vision services providers, to check on a claim or to file a vision claim for services from an out of network provider follow this link to the Vision Services Plan web site. Our independent agent, Ken Anderson is also available at 523-2112 to answer questions about health and dental benefits and assist with claims issues. Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage Notice
(See also Deductible Buy-Down Plan) New Wellness and Smoking Cessation Benefits
Blue Cross PPO Master Policy Blue Cross Extras
Blue Cross Benefit Summary Wal-Mart $4 Rx Generic Drug List
Summary of Changes Enrollment/Change Form
Eligible Dependent Age Change Insurance Rates
Deductible Buy-Down Plan - Under the County Deductible Buy-Down plan the county will reimburse eligible employees 80% of amounts applied to their Blue Cross PPO Plan deductibles over $200 for an individual or $400 for a family. Employees may apply for reimbursement under the Deductible Buy-Down plan by submitting a copy of the Blue Cross "Explanation of Benefits" (EOB) to the County Payroll Office for processing. Deductible Buy-Down Plan
Dental Insurance - The county currently offers dental insurance to eligible employees at no cost through Delta Dental. The county also pays 80% of the additional premium for dependent coverage if elected. This is an incentive plan that pays 70% - 100% of routine, diagnostic and preventive services with no deductible up to a maximum of $1,250 per person per year. Other services are generally covered at 50%. Employees must work at least 20 hours per week on a regular basis to qualify for this benefit. Delta Dental Policy Delta Dental Policy Summary Orthodontics
Enrollment/Change Form Insurance Rates
Paid Leave and Holidays - The county offers a generous paid leave benefit and 11 paid holidays for most full-time employees. Part-time employees who regularly work 20 or more hours per week receive prorated paid leave and holiday benefits. Follow this link for a list of designated County holidays and more information on various types of paid leave available. Paid Leave and Holidays Paid Holidays Memo
Life Insurance - The County provides $50,000 in life insurance through United Heritage Life Insurance at no cost to eligible employees up to age 65. At age 65, basic coverage is reduced to $65% of the basic amount and at age 70 it is reduced to 50% of the basic amount. In the case of an accidental death, basic coverage is doubled. Eligible dependents are also covered for $5,000 each. Employees must work at least 20 hours per week on a regular basis to qualify for this benefit.
United Heritage Insurance Life Policy Ammendment Increasing Policy to 50,000
Enrollment & Beneficiary Change Form
OPTIONAL BENEFITS - offered to all eligible employees through payroll deduction and all of the cost is paid by the employee. Although the county does not contribute to the cost of these benefits, employees may benefit from lower cost group products, tax savings and the convenience of payroll deduction.
Life Insurance - PERSI has made available a voluntary group life insurance plan through the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS). This is a decreasing term policy which covers the employee and dependents for $16 per month. Coverage varies depending on age and ranges from a maximum of $225,000 under age 25 to a minimum of $7,500 at age 65. Spouse coverage also ranges from a maximum of $20,000 to a minimum of $4,000 depending on age. Children are covered for $4,000 from 14 days to 21 years of age. Eligible employees may enroll within 90 days of employment or during open enrollment periods in September and November of each year without proof of insurability. Life insurance is also available through the county deferred compensation and flexible benefit plans.
Flexible Benefit Plan - In compliance with Section 125 of the IRS regulations, the county has chosen to sponsor a Flexible Benefit/Cafeteria Plan for employees. The plan is currently administered by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (AFLAC). This plan allows employees to pay the dependent portion of health and dental insurance as well as other optional health insurance premiums before tax through payroll deduction. It also allows employees to set aside money before tax in flexible spending accounts for payment of child care and health care expenses that are not covered by insurance including dental and vision care, prescription and over-the-counter medications. Click on the following link for medical and dependent care Reimbursement Forms.
Deferred Compensation Plan - In compliance with Section 457 of the IRS regulations, the county has chosen to offer a Deferred Compensation Plan for employees. This plan is sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and administered by Nationwide Retirement Solutions (NRS). This plan is primarily designed to allow employees to set money aside for retirement and delay payment of state or federal income taxes on the principal and earnings until they take the money out. Employees may access the money when they retire or any time they leave employment with the county without penalty. They may also withdraw money from their account while they are still employed to meet unforeseeable financial hardships. Employees may participate with as little as $20 per month and may change or stop deferrals any time they wish. A wide variety of investment options are available to employees which may be managed on-line. Employees may enroll on line at the NRS link above using the employer ID# 612003 or contact our local agent, Randy Grow at 524-4220 for more information.
Direct Deposit - Employees may elect to have their pay check deposited directly to their checking account and available to them when their bank or credit union opens on payday. Employees on direct deposit receive a pay stub showing all salary information, deductions, leave balances and other information generally included with their pay check through their department. Employees do not have to worry about getting their check to the bank when they are off work for any reason on payday. This is particularly convenient for employees who are on shift work.
Credit Union - Employees are eligible for membership at Scenic Falls Credit Union. Scenic Falls offers free checking and competitive interest and loan rates to members. The county also offers employees to make automatic payroll deduction to their Scenic Falls account.
U-Bank at Work - U.S. Bank offers a workplace banking program to county employees who are on direct deposit. This program features free checking and no annual fee debit and credit cards to eligible members as well as reduced loan rates and other benefits.