Flex Benefits

The cost-saving advantage of the plan is simple: any premium or expense you pay through the plan is tax free. You never have to pay federal income or Social Security taxes on the money you use to pay the premiums.

All School Board of Alachua County employees appointed to regularly work one-half time or more are eligible for the tax-saving Flexible Benefits Plan. Eligible employees must be actively at work on the plan effective date for new benefits to be effective, meaning you are physically capable of performing the functions of your job on the first day of work concurrent with the plan effective date. If you are not actively at work, but return to active work status within ten working days from the plan effective date, your benefits will cover you when you return to work.

	Dental Insurance
	Vision Insurance
	Cancer Insurance
	Long Term Disability
	Life Insurance
	Flexible Spending Accounts -- Medical Reimbursement -- Dependent Care Reimbursement

The annual (tax free) administrative fees are:

	$12 to convert single medical coverage or family medical coverage to tax-free payment.
	$30 for each Flexible Spending Account.

Remember, your tax savings will outweigh your fees.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Flexible Spending Accounts is an IRS approved, tax free account that saves you money on eligible medical and dependent care expenses.  You authorize per-pay-period deposits to your FSA from your before-tax salary.  Then, as you incur eligible expenses, you request tax-free withdrawals from your account to reimburse yourself.

Dependent Care Account:
The plan will reimburse you for dependent care expenses that enable you to work full time or actively look for work.  The services may either take place in or outside your home, but only for:

	dependents under the age of 12
	children 12 or older who are mentally or physically incapable of self-care;

Minimum per calendar year: $250
Maximum per calendar year:
    $2,500 married filing separately
    $5,000 single, head of household or married, filing jointly

The Internal Revenue Service has set up specific guidelines that govern FSA plans:

	Once you elect to participate in a spending account, you must continue to participate throughout the year unless you have a lifestyle change.
	If you do not use the money set aside in your spending account by the end of the calendar year, you will forfeit those dollars.

* Special Note: Refer to Plan Document Booklet for detailed information.

Flexi-Benefit Options

ACPS provides optional insurance coverage, including:

Dental          Vision          Long-term disability          Cancer protection          Life

CompBenefits  Group#207045

www.compbenefits.com

1-800-865-3676

There are no benefit forms or claim forms when you use CompBenefits' VCP network doctors.  All you need is your Vision Care ID card.

Here's how it works:

Visit the CompBenefits Web site at www.compbenefits.com/custom/Alachuasb for an up-to-date provider directory.

Choose a network doctor and call to make an appointment.  Have your ID card ready so that you can give the doctor's office your policy number and member number, which are on the card.  The doctor's office will also ask for the patient's name (that is, you or a covered family member) and your employer's name.  The doctor's office will verify your eligibility and your plan benefits before your visit.

Benefits Include: Yearly eye exams Eyeglass frames (once every two years) Lens (one set per Plan year) Contact lens (if medically necessary) LASIK procedure

Tax-Free Rates:   20 pay periods  24 pay periods Employee only $ 3.71  $ 3.09 Employee & family $ 9.30 $ 7.75

* Special Note: Refer to Plan Document Booklet for detailed information.

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Your expenses won’t stop just because a disability stops you. Suppose you suffer an illness or injury that leaves you unable to work. Would you have enough money from your alternate sources of income, savings account or other investment accounts to support yourself through your disability?

Benefit Amount - This insurance plan protects your ability to earn a living if you are sick or injured and cannot work. How? It provides up to 60% of your monthly earnings, not to exceed the monthly maximum of the coverage you choose.

Levels of coverage to choose from:

	- Plan I coverage provides a $1,200 monthly max. benefit
	- Plan II coverage provides an $1,800 monthly max. benefit
	- Plan III coverage provides a $2,500 monthly max. benefit

           All three plans have a minimum monthly benefit of $100.

When do benefits begin? - Benefits start after you are continuously disabled for 90 days.

Benefit Period - If you are disabled at or before age 62, your benefits are payable monthly up to age 65. For disabilities that occur between age 63 and age 69, benefits are Payable on a decreasing scale, with a maximum one-year benefit period for disabilities that start at age 69 or older.

* Special Note: Refer to Plan Document Booklet for detailed information.

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What Benefits does the plan cover? The plan will cover the following whether you are in or out of the hospital: X-ray, radium, cobalt, and chemotherapy to $1,500 Anesthesiologist’s services to $100; $40 for skin cancer Surgery to $1,000 Blood and plasma to $1,000 Private duty nurse to $30/day; $750 maximum Ambulance service to $50 per confinement; $500 maximum Payment per day while hospitalized ($75/day; limit 90 days)

The Plan EXCLUDES: The plan excludes your treatment if: You have a cancer that materializes before you have been covered for 30 days; however, the plan will pay benefits after 12 months of continuous coverage You have an illness or injury other than cancer and You are confined in or receive treatment from a VA or other government hospital unless you are legally required to pay in the absence of insurance.

Eligibility Requirements: If you or any of your dependents to be covered have not received medical treatment for any cancer within 10 years before your plan’s effective date, you are eligible for this plan. All applicants must be actively at work on the effective date of coverage. Coverage will continue as long as you pay your premiums, the Master Policy remains in effect, and you remain eligible under the plan.

What is the maximum benefit I can receive under this plan? This plan has a $250,000 lifetime maximum.

Tax-Free Rates:

* Special Note: Refer to Plan Document Booklet for detailed information.

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$10,000        $20,000        $30,000        $40,000

Continuation of Coverage
If you terminate employment or if coverage ends for any reason except non-payment of premium, you can convert this plan to an individual policy by applying for conversion within 31 days of termination. You do not have to submit evidence of good health if you apply within the 31 days.

If you retire you can continue this plan. To continue your coverage, contact Fringe Benefits Management Company, the contract administrator, 60 days prior to your planned retirement.

Disability
If you become disabled prior to reaching age 60, after nine continuous months of disability, you may apply for waiver of premium. If approved, your premium will be waived until you return to work or until age 65.

Reductions
Your benefits decrease to 65% of your original coverage amount of the policy anniversary coinciding with or following your 65th birthday.

* Special Note: Refer to Plan Document Booklet for detailed information.
 

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