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Annual Enrollment for 2025 Benefits

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November 1 to 15, 2024

Employees are required to enroll for 2025 benefits coverage during Annual Enrollment between November 1 and November 15, 2024 in EBS (OPUS).

This information is for Pinellas County employees. Retirees should refer to Retiree Annual Enrollment.

Quick Summary

  • The deadline to enroll is Friday, November 15.
  • No premium increases.
  • Medical plan vendor is changing from Cigna to UMR (UnitedHealthcare). All other benefits partners are the same.
  • Minor changes to medical plans include expanded coverage and new plan names.
  • Lower rates and expanded wellness benefits for voluntary supplemental medical plans from Aflac.
  • New dependent verification process.
  • One-time option to increase supplemental life insurance.
  • New process to cover a domestic partner and over-age child.

For details, see below.

Learn More

Enrollment

Virtual Information Sessions

What’s New for 2025?

  • New medical plan vendor – As of January 1, 2025, Pinellas County’s plan coverage for medical, behavioral/mental health and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) will be changing vendors from Cigna to UMR, a UnitedHealthcare company. Read the New Medical Plan Vendor FAQs.
  • Medical plan names – The same two plans will have new names:
    • Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan, currently called the Open Access Plus (OAP) plan
    • High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA), currently called the Choice Fund Open Access Plus HSA plan
  • Medical plan expanded coverage – There will be expanded coverage for mammograms, colonoscopies, therapy, and more as shown:

2025 Medical Plan Expanded Coverage (Both Plans)

Benefit 2024 Coverage 2025 Coverage
Mammogram  Preventive mammograms covered at 100%; diagnostic mammograms subject to deductible, coinsurance and copayments  All mammograms covered at 100%, preventive and diagnostic   
Colonoscopy  Preventive colonoscopies covered at 100%; diagnostic colonoscopies subject to deductible, coinsurance and copayments  All colonoscopies covered at 100%, preventive and diagnostic   
Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy  Maximum of 20 days per year per type of therapy  Maximum of 45 days per year per type of therapy 
Home Health Care  Maximum of 40 visits per year  Maximum of 90 visits per year (combined with outpatient private duty nursing)  
Hospice Care  Not specified  8 hours per week 
Bereavement Services  Not specified  Provided within 12 months of death 
  • High Deductible Health Plan with HSA changes – Per IRS guidelines, there are increases in the deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and contribution limits as shown below. The Health Savings Accounts will be moving from HSA Bank to Optum Bank.

2025 High Deductible Health Plan with HSA Changes

Item 2024 2025
In-Network Annual Deductible   Employee Only, $1,600
Employee +1 or More, $3,200 		Employee Only, $1,650
Family, $3,300
Out-of-Network Annual Deductible   Employee Only, $3,000
Employee +1 or More, $6,000 		Employee Only, $3,300
Family, $6,600
In-Network Out-of-Pocket Maximum (includes medical and Rx)  Employee Only, $3,000
Employee +1, $4,000
Employee +2 or More, $6,000 		Employee Only, $3,000
Family, $6,000
Out-of-Network Out-of-Pocket Maximum (includes medical and Rx)  Employee Only, $4,200
Employee +1, $6,000
Employee +2 or More, $8,400 		Employee Only, $4,200
Family, $8,400
Contribution Limit for Employee Only* $4,150 $4,300
Contribution Limit for Family* $8,300 $8,550

* Includes Pinellas County contribution of $500 or $1,200 (Age 55+ catch up contribution remains at an additional $1,000.)

  • Dependent verification – You will need to provide verification for anyone you cover for medical, dental or supplemental life insurance. During Annual Enrollment, review your dependents in EBS (OPUS) to ensure they are eligible. Start gathering your verification documents to submit in January/February. See Dependent Verification for details.
  • Domestic partner – To cover a partner, complete the 2025 Domestic Partner Affidavit and provide supporting documents to Benefits by November 15.
  • Over-Age Dependent Child Affidavit – To cover a non-disabled child between 26 and 30 years of age, complete the Over-Age Dependent Child Affidavit.
  • Supplemental life insurance – You have a one-time opportunity to purchase up to $50,000 without evidence of insurability in $5,000 increments, up to $250,000.
  • Aflac supplemental medical – View rate changes and expanded wellness benefits for voluntary supplemental medical plans from Aflac.
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – The Healthcare FSA rollover amount from 2024 to 2025 is $640 (must be enrolled in a 2025 FSA). Per the IRS, the maximum contributions for 2025 are $3,300 for a Healthcare FSA (up from $3,200) and $5,000 for a Dependent Care FSA (same as 2024).

What is Not Changing in 2025?

  • Premiums – There are no increases in premiums.
  • Medical plans – The same two plans will be offered but will have new names.
  • Benefits partners – We are using the same partners for dental, prescription, vision, life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), disability, and FMLA.
  • Voluntary benefits – The same voluntary benefits plans are available for supplemental medical, legal assistance, and identity protection. These benefits are 100% employee-paid.
  • Opt out – Employees who choose to “opt out” of health plan coverage in 2025 due to alternate coverage need to complete the 2025 Opt Out Affidavit.
  • Annual leave exchange – The same Annual Leave Exchange Program will be offered. If desired, you will need to select this option during Annual Enrollment as it does not roll over from year to year.
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – The same Flexible Spending Accounts will be offered. If desired, select a Healthcare and/or Dependent Care FSA during Annual Enrollment as your selections do not roll over from year to year.

Important Reminders

  • Beneficiary Information – Please review your beneficiary’s name (spelling), date of birth, and Social Security number to ensure that life insurance benefits would be paid out correctly if necessary.
  • Biometric Screening and Health Assessment – Employees who complete a biometric screening and health assessment by December 13, 2024, earn a preferred medical plan premium which will save $500 in 2025. 
  • Tobacco Premium – You will be required to attest to your tobacco use. Employees on a Pinellas County medical plan who use tobacco will be charged a $500 tobacco premium beginning in April 2025, unless they complete a qualified tobacco cessation program between August 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. Those who do not enroll for 2025 benefits in EBS (OPUS) will be considered a tobacco user and subject to the tobacco premium.

Questions?

UMR (UnitedHealthcare)

Voluntary Benefits

  • Contact our voluntary benefits partners: Aflac for supplemental medical plans, ARAG for legal protection, and AIP for identity protection.

Employee Benefits Team

  • Contact Employee Benefits for questions related to Annual Enrollment or benefits options:

11/1/24