4.1    MEMBERSHIP AND ELIGIBILITY

4.1.1    Regular Full Time Employee

The County contributes specified maximum dollar amounts for medical/vision/dental/life insurance coverage. These specified amounts and the type of coverage provided shall be available upon appointment from the department head or Payroll. The County reserves the right to modify the type of coverage plan provided, the plan provider and the amount of the contribution provided.

The County pays fifty percent (50%) of the premium for medical, dental, vision and life insurance benefits for regular part time salaried employees who work at least fifty percent (50%) of the time or 20 hours per week. If the employee works more than fifty percent (50%) of the time, more than 20 hours per week, the County pays a percentage of the premiums in proportion to the percentage of time worked.

In order to be eligible for full time benefit coverage, a part time employee, who works full time on a temporary basis, must have worked full time for a period of at least 3 months.

4.1.3 Temporary/Seasonal/Hourly Employee

Temporary/Seasonal/Hourly employees are hired for a set duration of time, for a specific project or on an hourly basis and are not intended to be employed on a regular basis. These employees shall not be eligible for County benefits other than overtime for non-exempt employees. Temporary/Seasonal/Hourly employees are not eligible for holiday pay, annual leave or sick leave.

New employees shall be eligible to receive medical, dental and vision coverage, the first day of the first full pay period after sixty (60) days of initial employment. (Example: Hire date is January 17, 1998, coverage begins April 1, 1998)

Regular full time employees without a break in service to the county, who have fulfilled the sixty (60) day waiting period as a regular part time employee, will receive benefits without an additional sixty (60) day waiting period.

Employees, who are laid off and rehired within one (1) year, shall be eligible to receive medical, dental and vision coverage, the first day of the first full pay period after sixty (60) days of the re-hire date.

4.1.5   Termination of County Paid Coverage

An enrolled employee shall terminate coverage on the last day of the month of the employee’s termination of employment, retirement, expiration of authorized leave of absence, layoff, illness or other causes. Dependent coverage terminates at the same time the employee’s coverage terminates.

Employees and their families are eligible to continue coverage under the provision of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA) by self-paying the premiums. The employees shall be responsible for providing coverage information to Payroll and for premium payment. Details may be obtained from Payroll.

The County offers various medical coverage plans for employees and their families. The costs associated with each plan shall be provided by Payroll. Medical booklets are available from Payroll which describe the specifics of each medical coverage plan. Changes to medical plans other than adding newborn or changes as a result of marriage may be requested once a year at open enrollment.

The County offers various vision coverage plans for employees and their families. The costs associated with each plan shall be provided by Payroll. Booklets are available from Payroll which describe the specifics of vision coverage.

The County offers dental coverage for employees and their families. Payroll can provide information on the cost for dental coverage and booklets which describe the specifics of dental coverage.

Group life insurance is provided for each employee. The County pays the full premium. It is effective upon the first day of the month following the month the employee is hired. Payroll can provide the details of the insurance plan.

Unemployment insurance provides benefits to insured workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. The cost of the unemployment insurance is borne entirely by the County and is based upon the number of claims filed by former employees. Additional information about unemployment insurance benefits and regulation should be directed to the Employment Security Division of the State of Washington.

Employees are insured under the provision of the Industrial Insurance Laws of the State of Washington. Benefits are provided to workers who are injured through the course of their employment. Coverage under worker’s compensation is described under sick leave Section 7. 10.

The County contributes the amount required by the State Department of Retirement Systems for the employer’s share of retirement. Regular part time employees who meet the eligibility requirements for the Department of Retirement Systems are also eligible for retirement benefits. Further information regarding retirement benefits is available from Payroll.