PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Enhanced medical, prescription drug, dental and vision benefits are coming for Commonwealth employees, Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver announced Wednesday, June 12.
The additions, approved by the Pennsylvania Employees Benefit Trust Fund (PEBTF), are said to help the overall health of employees and their families as well as help recruit for and retain the workforce.
This comes after a recent Kaiser Family Foundation research found that healthcare costs are a big challenge for Americans with about 50% of adults saying healthcare is difficult to afford, 25% saying they have skipped or postponed care, 20% saying they have not filled prescriptions and 50% saying they worry about paying their premiums.
“These enhancements to Commonwealth benefits are designed to make us more competitive with the private sector and other employers so we can attract and retain talented employees to serve the people of Pennsylvania,” Weaver said.
The following benefits will become effective Aug. 1, 2024
Reduced waiting periods and costs for new hires
Newly hired Commonwealth employees can add dependents to their health coverage after 30 days of employment without paying an additional buy-up contribution. In addition, new employees can add themselves to prescription benefits during their first 30 days of employment. Both of these changes are a reduction from the current 90-day period.
Expanded dental network
Employees and their dependents will be able to receive covered services from approximately 1,000 additional dentists in Pennsylvania.
Coverage for inpatient hospice care will be covered under employee's medical benefits
This is a new benefit for PEBTF members.
The following benefits will become effective Jan. 1, 2025
Increased maximums for dental benefits
The annual plan maximum will increase from $1,500 to $2,000. In addition, the lifetime maximum for orthodontics will increase from $1,750 to $2,250. Dental implants are now also covered under the plan.
Increased vision benefits
Coverage amounts for eyeglass frames will increase from $150 to $175 and add coverage for transition lenses of $65 for single vision and $70 for bifocal/trifocal lenses.
The majority of Commonwealth employees and their families are eligible for benefits through the PEBTF.
