Employee Benefit Program

Health, Vision, and Dental Benefits
For all full-time, eligible employees, the City provides for health, vision, and dental coverage. An employee benefit guide is provided to City employees that offers a full breakdown of coverage. The employee's share of any remaining premium will be deducted from the employee's paycheck through payroll deduction. Employees may obtain additional information regarding health, vision and dental coverage and obtain a copy of the summary of benefits from the Finance Manager.

Basic Life Insurance
The City provides a life insurance plan at City expense for all full-time employees.

Benefit Continuation
In the event that an employee and/or his or her dependents are no longer eligible for City benefits (as a result of the voluntary or involuntary termination of the employee, a change in employee classification, or as a result of the separation, divorce, or death of the covered employee) then an individual may have the right to continue the same group health coverage at group rates. An individual's cost for coverage may be higher than what the individual was paying before, but generally the cost is lower than private, individual health insurance. Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, or "COBRA" (public Law 99-272, Title X), the City will offer the qualified persons the opportunity to apply for temporary extension of health coverage (also known as benefit continuation coverage). Benefit continuation coverage typically lasts for eighteen (18) months; longer periods are available in specific circumstances. A representative of the City will meet with the employee prior to the last day of employment or send information to the employee regarding rights to continue benefit coverage.

Retirement Plan
An employee who qualifies for membership will be enrolled as a participating member of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) as a condition of employment. Employees are required to participate and make contributions to the plan.

A public safety employee who qualifies for membership will be enrolled as a participating member of the Kansas Police and Fire (KP and F) Retirement System. Employees are required to participate and make contributions to the plan.

Any plan changes—regarding either eligibility or contributions—are determined by the state and not the City of Edwardsville.

Disability Insurance
Full-time employees are eligible for participation in the City's paid short term disability plan beginning one month after continuous active employment.

HIPAA Compliance
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted primarily to provide improved portability of health benefits and greater accountability in the area of healthcare fraud.

As a plan sponsor of fully insured group health plans, the City is required to comply with the HIPAA requirement to maintain the privacy of health information (PHI). PHI refers to any health information which may be identifiable including but not limited to demographic information collected from an individual that relates to the past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual; the provision of health care; future payment to an individual; and the identification of an individual in relation to overall physical or mental condition.

In offering benefit plans to its employees, the City is obligated to provide a Notification of HIPAA procedures to all employees enrolled in the plans. This notice will advise employees of the procedures that will be in place to assure regulatory compliance.

The City also reserves the right to amend any changes as necessary to these Notification of HIPAA procedures.

Deferred Compensation
All full-time city employees may participate in the deferred compensation plan(s) offered by the City. Under the plan, a predetermined amount of compensation may be withheld annually by the City. The exact amount to be withheld is determined by the employee. The amount selected is invested for the employee and is not subject to federal income tax until withdrawn.

Employee Assistance Program
The City of Edwardsville cares about the health and welfare of its employees. The benefits offered to employees include an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides confidential assistance to all eligible employees and their family members. This confidential assistance may include help to resolve problems that affect their personal lives and possibly affect their job performance. Problems commonly handled include marital difficulties, parent-child relationships, alcoholism, drug addiction, stress, etc. If issues arise where an employee is seeking assistance for a substance abuse problem, the City still expects him or her to meet the same standards of performance, productivity, and conduct that is expected of all employees. The City reserves the right to discipline or terminate an employee for failure to meet those standards.

Worker's Compensation Insurance
The City of Edwardsville maintains workers' compensation insurance coverage for work-related employee injuries and illnesses. Workers' compensation insurance will provide for payment of an employee's medical expenses and for partial earnings continuation in the event of a work-related injury or illness. The amount of benefits payable and duration of payments depends upon the nature of the injury or the illness. In general, however, all medical expenses incurred in connection with the injury or illness is paid in full and partial earnings payments are provided as covered by the law. Employees unable to return to regular or modified duty due to an injury or illness will be placed on medical leave of absence as stated in this Employee Handbook. Medical leave of absence runs concurrently with workers' compensation insurance.