Medical Coverage

Pinellas County provides medical coverage to its employees through Cigna. Two plans are available as detailed below. Medical coverage is available to all permanent and long-term temporary employees scheduled to work a minimum of 20 hours per week.

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Medical Plan Options

Additional medical plan information is available upon request for residents outside of Florida.

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• Both plans offer the same low premiums which includes medical care, prescription coverage, behavioral/mental health and vision care:

Medical Plan Biweekly Premiums

Coverage	2023 Biweekly Cost
Employee Only	$12.12
Employee and Spouse or Domestic Partner	$139.97
Employee and Child(ren)	$111.66
Family	$229.32

• For more information, see Medical Plans Comparison & Cost
• View machine-readable files made available in response to the federal Transparency in Coverage Rule which include Cigna’s negotiated service rates and out-of-network allowed amounts between health plans and healthcare providers. The files are formatted to allow researchers, regulators, and application developers to more easily access and analyze data.

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• Both plans are administered by Cigna.
• Both plans offer both in-network and out-of-network benefits.
• Both plans have the same network of hospitals and doctors.
• Both plans are open access, which means you may use any network physician, you do not have to select a primary care physician, and you do not need a referral to see a specialist.
• Both plans cover the same benefits, limitations, and exclusions.
• There are some distinct differences so please compare the plans carefully.

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All employees and dependents who enroll in one of the medical plans are provided the following coverage:

• Prescription Drug Plan
• Behavioral/Mental Health
• Vision Care

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ID Cards

Cigna will mail ID cards to new enrollments or if participants made a change to their plans. You may also access your ID card on the Cigna website or app.

Effective Date of Coverage

• Start Date: Coverage is effective for new employees on the first day of the month after 30 days of employment. For example, if you are hired on February 16, your benefits are effective on April 1.
• End Date: Your benefits coverage through the County ends on the last day of the pay period in which your separation occurs. For more information, see Employee Benefits: What Happens When I Leave?

Pre-Authorization

Some medical procedures, imaging, treatments, medications, and equipment need approval from Cigna before you receive care. View Pre-Authorization FAQs to learn about the process and what to do if authorization is denied.

Tax Saving Plans

Reduce your healthcare costs with the following options:

• Flexible Spending Accounts – Pinellas County offers FSAs to help you reduce out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare expenses (for employee and dependents) or dependent care expenses such as daycare costs by paying for them on a pre-tax basis. You do not have to be enrolled in the Group Health Plan to participate.
• Health Savings Account – An HSA is a tax-deductible savings account available to individuals enrolled in an IRS-qualified high-deductible health plan like Pinellas County’s Choice Fund Open Access Plus HSA Plan.
• Pre-Tax/Payroll Deductions – Payroll deductions for health and dental coverage may be deducted under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Tax Code, Section 125. Each year, during the County’s Annual Enrollment period, you have an opportunity to elect pre-tax health or dental premiums.

Enrollment

• How to Enroll
• Changing Benefits/Qualifying Event
• Domestic Partner Coverage

Important Links

• COBRA
• HIPAA
• Legal Notices
• Opt Out
• Preferred Premium (Biometric Screening/Health Assessment and Tobacco Premium)

7/25/23