Employee Benefits
INSURANCE
Group insurance benefits are available to all regular full-time employees and, with the exception of the group life insurance, are effective on the 30th day of employment.
The City’s Medical Insurance, is administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama: BlueCard PPO. The BlueCard PPO plan utilizes a national network of PMD providers and health care facilities who agree to accept the contract price as payment for their services, with applicable co-pays and deductibles. No referral is needed and any physician may be utilized. However, the benefit is greatest when a PPO physician/facility is utilized.
A Mental Health/Substance Abuse Program is offered through Behavioral Health Systems, Incorporated (BHS). It is available to all employees and covered dependents currently enrolled and participating in the Group Medical Insurance. All treatment must be pre-certified and approved through BHS. Evaluations can be arranged by calling the city’s Employee Assisted Services Coordinator or BHS prior to treatment being rendered.
The City of Huntsville offers a Voluntary Dental Plan administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company. This is a PPO plan which offers a network of providers who have agreed to accept reduced fees for their services. Any provider may be utilized; however, significantly less out-of-pocket expense is realized when using a PPO provider. Delta Dental offers 100% coverage for Preventive and Diagnostic Services, 100% coverage for Basic Services, and 60% coverage for Major Services, if the patient uses a PPO provider. There are no individual/family deductibles for Preventive and Diagnostic Services, and deductibles for Basic and Major Services are $50 per person per calendar year, $150 per family. The plan maximum is $1,000, and Preventive and Diagnostic services do not count toward the annual maximum.
A Voluntary Vision Plan is also offered that provides benefit coverage for eye examinations, frames, and eyeglass lenses with applicable co-pays. There is also an allowance for contact lenses. The plan is administered by Vision Service Plan (VSP).
Two Flexible Spending Accounts are available: medical reimbursement and dependent care. Reimbursements from these pre-taxed accounts require a proper receipt. The plans are administered by American Family Life Assurance Company (AFLAC).
The City provides a $20,000 Life Insurance policy at no cost to the employee which carries accidental death and dismemberments, seat belt, and airbag riders. Coverage begins after completing one full day of employment.
An optional Voluntary Term Life Insurance plan is also available for the employee, spouse, and/or eligible dependents. Premiums are based upon age for the employee and spouse, and premiums for children are based on a flat rate. Also offered is an optional accidental death and dismemberment insurance plan available for the employee and his/her family. The minimum level of coverage on both plans is $20,000. The plans are administered by Lincoln Financial.
The City provides a limited Long Term Disability policy for eligible employees with one year of service, but less than ten years of service. After ten years of service, disability benefits are coordinated by the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA).
Voluntary Supplemental Insurance Plans are also available for City of Huntsville employees. A supplemental Cancer plan and an Off-The-Job Accident plan are available through American Family Life Assurance Company (AFLAC). The Cancer plan provides a first occurrence, hospital confinement, radiation and chemotherapy, and other benefits. The Off-The-Job Accident plan pays benefits for injuries occurring off the job.
RETIREMENT
The Retirement Plan is administered by the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA). Participation is mandatory for all regular, full-time and part-time employees. Employees contribute 5% of salary to the plan (6% of salary for certain positions in the Police and Fire & Rescue divisions). The City contributes a percent as determined by RSA.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS
There are two optional Deferred Compensation plans offered. One plan is administered by RSA-1 and the other is administered by Nationwide Retirement Solutions. Employees may defer portions of their salary with pre-tax dollars and invest in fixed or low, medium, and high risk investments for use as a retirement supplement or long-term savings program.
OTHER SAVINGS PROGRAMS
Rocket City Credit Union is an institution that offers membership to all full-time City employees and its dependents. Payroll deduction dollars can be designated to savings and/or checking accounts.
HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE
The City recognizes the following holidays: New Years Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Three additional floating holidays are given each year as authorized by the Mayor.
Sick leave accrual is 4 hours per pay period for all eligible City employees. There is no maximum amount of sick leave an employee may accrue.
Annual leave is accrued as follows: less than 10 years = 4 hours per pay period; 10 to 15 years = 5 hours per pay period; 15 to 20 years = 6 hours per pay period; 20 or more years = 7 hours per pay period. Employees may accrue and carry forward 260 hours to the next calendar year.
The City provides a military leave plan that pays regular salary for not more than twenty-one days per year. Also, employees called into active service may receive compensation in an amount equal to the difference in the lower military pay and the higher public employment salary as provided by City Council Ordinance.