The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the month following the completion of a full month of regular, full-time employment (unless expressly stated otherwise under the description of the benefit).
Health Care Plan
The health care benefit plan for new employees is a comprehensive major medical program utilizing an HMO network of physicians and hospitals. It is designed to minimize out-of-pocket medical expenses for employees and their covered dependents. Individual and dependent coverages are available at our group rates.
There is no deductible in the HMO and the policy pays 80% of approved medical bills. When individual eligible expenses reach the annual out-of-pocket co-insurance maximum of $2,500, the plan pays 100% of approved claims. This policy also features a $20/30 co-payment benefit for routine visits to an HMO doctor's office, based on the type of doctor visited. A prescription drug card enables employees to obtain prescribed medications at substantial savings.
After initial enrollment in the HMO, employees may elect to move to a Preferred Provider (PPO) plan during ACCUG's annual open enrollment held in June of each year. The PPO plan is similar to the HMO plan with the exception that it has a $500 deductible in addition to a $3,000 per year maximum out-of-pocket expense limit. The PPO also has a larger network of participating physicians/hospitals than the HMO and does not require a primary care physician's referral as does the HMO plan.
Dental Plan
The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County's dental insurance is an optional contributory coverage designed to reduce the costs of regular dental care. The plan pays 100% of approved costs for periodic exams and cleanings; and 50-80% of other procedures, based on the type of procedure, after a $50 annual deductible is met. There is a $1,200 annual maximum benefit for covered expenses.
Vision Plan
The vision plan offers in-network benefits of 100% coverage toward the cost of single vision, bifocal and trifocal lenses after a $25 deductible has been met. Coverage toward frames offers a $100 allowance toward the cost of frames, after which a 20% discount is applied. Contact lenses have a maximum calendar year benefit of $115. In-network eye exams are covered at 100% after a $10 deductible is met. The plan offers a 15% discount on Lasik procedures at in-network providers.
Vision Plan Summary EyeMed Providers
Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance is furnished at no cost to the employee in an amount equal to two times the employee's annual salary plus $5,000. Life insurance is a benefit paid in event of an employee's death by illness, accident, or natural causes. Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance pays the employee's beneficiary, or estate for the accidental loss of a limb or death in an accident. An employee may purchase additional individual and dependent life insurance coverage at a minimal cost.
Pension Plan
The ACC Pension Plan is designed to provide a monthly retirement income in addition to other retirement savings plans and Social Security which an employee may be eligible to receive. An employee is vested in the plan after completing ten (10) consecutive years of credited service. Credit towards the ten (10) consecutive years of service begins with the first day of employment with
Athens-Clarke
County . Normal retirement age is 60 for Certified Police, Deputy Sheriff, Corrections Officers, and Certified Firefighters with at least 10 years service. All other employees are eligible for normal retirement benefits at age 62 with 10 years credited service. There are provisions for early retirement, age 55, with a 4% reduction penalty for each year less than the normal retirement age.
Deferred Compensation
Deferred compensation, under IRS Code 457, is a tax deferred supplemental retirement program that allows public employees to contribute a portion of their salary, before federal and state taxes, to a retirement account. The government's aim in establishing these tax-favored plans is to encourage workers to build their own financial security in anticipation of retirement. ACC employees are eligible to enroll in the deferred compensation plans the first day of their employment. ACC also offers a deferred compensation package with a 1% (401a) match on the first 4% of salary contributed to a 457 plan. Please contact Payroll for further details.
Short Term Disability
Short term disability is a benefit paid to employees when they are unable to perform their job duties due to a temporary total disability. Benefit payments begin the 31st work day (6 weeks total) following the onset of the illness or injury-causing disability and continues for the next 20 weeks of disability. While the employee is still under a doctor's care, he or she may be paid at a rate of 60% of his/her basic salary (not to exceed $1000/pay period). Short term disability benefits are provided by ACCUG at no cost to the employee.
Long Term Disability
Long term disability (LTD) is a benefit paid to an employee who must be out of work for more than six months due to disability from sickness or personal injury. Eligibility for LTD begins on the first day of the calendar month following completion of two years of continuous active service with ACC. An employee may file a claim for LTD having been out of work and under a doctor's care for at least six months. Typically this would follow the six months of short term disability benefits. LTD is paid at a rate of 60% of the employee's base salary, not to exceed a maximum monthly benefit of $7,000. LTD benefits are provided by ACC at no cost to the employee.
Sick Leave
Sick leave is paid leave that may be granted to each eligible employee for employee illness or medical, dental, or optical examinations or whose immediate family member requires the employee’s care for any of the previous reasons. Sick leave may be used after one month of service. Regular, full-time employees earn eight (8) hours of sick leave per month.
Vacation Leave
Vacation leave is leave granted to each eligible employee for vacations and other personal use. Employees begin earning vacation leave as soon as they begin working for
Athens-Clarke
County , and are eligible to use accrued time following the completion of six months of employment. Full time employees accrue ten (10) days of vacation leave every year during their first five years of employment. Vacation accruals continue to increase through 20 years of employment.
Paid
Holidays
Athens-Clarke
County observes nine (9) paid holidays each year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday following Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Employees are expected to work the day before and the day after the holiday (if those are normal working days) unless personal leave is approved, in advance, by the Department Director. Employees who do not follow these guidelines will not receive compensation for the holiday.
Benefit information included herein is a brief review of plans/services offered. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy. Plans and services are subject to change. For more complete details, please refer to the appropriate plan summary booklet or contact ACC Human Resources Department, Compensation and Benefits Division (706-613-3116).
July 2007
