Howard County offers a wide variety of benefit plans including Medical, Dental, Life Insurance coverage options, Disability Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, 457(b) Deferred Compensation Program, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and an array of Voluntary Benefit Plans, with the objective of offering the most comprehensive plans possible while balancing costs to the County, employees, and retirees.

Benefit Plans

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Health Insurance For Active Employees & Retirees

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Please click on a link below for more information on the medical and dental plan options for Active employees and Retirees.

Aetna Information for Active Employees and Pre-Medicare Retirees

Aetna Open Access EPO Plan Summary of Benefits & Coverage(link is external)

Aetna Open Access EPO Plan Booklet(link is external)

Aetna Open Access EPO Plan Schedule of Benefits(link is external)

Aetna Open Choice PPO Summary of Benefits & Coverage(link is external)

Aetna Open Choice PPO Plan Booklet (link is external)

Aetna Open Choice PPO Plan Schedule of Benefits(link is external)

CVS Health Virtual Care(link is external) - Replaced Teladoc, Effective January 1, 2024

Aetna Behavioral Health Telehealth Flyer (link is external)

Aetna Minute Clinic Benefits(link is external)

Aetna Health App and Digital ID Cards(link is external)

Aetna Members Health Advocate (link is external)

Progyny Fertility Program Flyer(link is external)

Progyny Fertility Member Guide(link is external) (link is external)

Aetna's Website(link is external)

CVS Prescription Drug Benefits(link is external)

CVS Caremark Advanced Control Formulary List(link is external) - Effective January 01, 2025

CVS Caremark Advanced Control Formulary List(link is external) - Effective April 01, 2025

PrudentRx Specialty Drug Copay Assistance Program (link is external)

Aetna creates and publishes the Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Howard County Government.
https://Health1.Aetna.com/app/public/#/one/insurerCode=AETNACVS_I&brandCode=ALICSI/machine-readable-transparency-in-coverage?searchTerm=80608609&lock=true(link is external)

Kaiser HMO Information for Active Employees and Pre-Medicare Retirees

Kaiser HMO Select Summary of Benefits & Coverage(link is external)

Kaiser HMO Select Evidence of Coverage(link is external)

Kaiser Interactive Enrollment Guide (link is external)

Kaiser Self Care Apps(link is external)

Kaiser Permanente's Website(link is external)

Vision Service Plan (VSP) Information for Active Employees and Pre-Medicare Retirees

VSP Vision Plan Benefit Summary(link is external)

Dental Plan Information for Active Employees and All Retirees

Delta Dental PPO Plan Summary(link is external)

Delta Dental PPO Plan Claim Form(link is external) 

DeltaCare USA DHMO Summary and Fee Schedule(link is external)

DeltaCare USA DHMO Plan Claim Form(link is external)

Delta Member Portal & Digital ID Cards (link is external)

How to Find a Delta Dentist website (link is external)

Information for Medicare-eligible Retirees 

2025 Retiree Benefit Guide (link is external)

Retiree Health Insurance Program(link is external)

Aetna Medicare Advantage Comparision Chart(link is external)

Aetna Medicare Advantage 10 plan (P01)(link is external)

Aetna Medicare Advantage 95 plan (C03)(link is external)

Aetna Medicare Advantage Claim Reimbursement Form (link is external)

Medicare Advantage FAQ(link is external)

Kaiser Medicare Advantage HMO(link is external)

2025 Retiree Rate Sheets(link is external)

2025 Retiree Rates - Retired before July 01, 2009(link is external)

Retiree Enrollment Form (link is external)

Retiree Enrollment Form - Medicare(link is external) Eligible(link is external)

Retiree Enrollment Form - Split Eligibility (link is external)

Medicare Initial Enrollment Period 

Generally, your Initial Enrollment Period is when you turn age 65. It lasts for 7 months, starting 3 months before you turn 65, and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65. To learn more about Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare, visit www.medicare.gov(link is external)

All retirees and eligible dependents, are required to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, once Medicare eligible. Please refer to the details below for Medicare Advantage enrollment process, specific to retirees currently enrolled in health insurance prior to becoming Medicare eligible. 

Medicare Advantage Enrollment Process 

  1. If a retiree, or their dependent, is eligible to participate in the County's retiree health insurance plan, they will receive a notification within (60) days of the month they turn age 65 advising them of the Medicare Advantage Plans available through the County. 
  2. All retirees, and their eligible dependents, are required to transition to a Medicare Advantage Plan once Medicare eligible, if they would like to maintain health insurance through the County. 
  3. This notification will include a Medicare Advantage Enrollment Form (click here(link is external)). Generally speaking, the enrollment form must be returned within (30) business days prior to the requested effective date.
  4. You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, AND have a physical copy of your Medicare card, to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan offered through Howard County. 
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Flexible Spending Accounts

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Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for out-of-pocket health care and/or dependent care expenses thereby allowing you to receive a tax break on these expenses.  Please click on a link below for more information or contact Flexible Benefit Administrators at 1-800-437-3539.

FBA FSA Member Portal (link is external)

FSA Flyer(link is external)

FSA Benefit Guide(link is external)

FSA Debit Card Summary(link is external)

FSA Web Access Summary(link is external)

FSA Mobile Application Summary(link is external)

FSA Store Flyer(link is external)

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Employee Assistance Program & Mental Health Resources

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Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Employee Assistance Program provides confidential counseling and referral services to employees and their family members. Please click on the link below for more details on this program.

Click here(link is external) to access the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) website. 

ComPsych EAP Flyer(link is external)

Mental Health Resources Guide

Please click on the link below to access the Howard County Mental Health Resource Guide. The guide provides an overview of mental health resources available to Howard County Government employees and the general Howard County community. 

Howard County Mental Health Resources Guide (link is external)

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Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance

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Howard County provides Long-Term Disability benefits at no cost to full time and part time benefitted employees. Employees have the option to purchase additional Supplemental Long-Term Disability and/or Short-Term Disability. Please click on the links below for more details about the Disability benefits.

Long Term Disability Coverage Highlights (link is external)

Long Term Disability Certificate - Class I (5 or more years of service) (link is external)

Long Term Disability Certificate - Class II (0-4 years of service) (link is external)

Click here(link is external) to submit a disability claim online. Policy Number 647388

Long Term Disability Claim Form(link is external) (link is external)

Voluntary Supplemental Short Term Disability Coverage Highlights (100% Employee Paid)(link is external)

Voluntary Supplemental Short Term Disability Certificate(link is external)

Click here(link is external) to submit a disability claim online. Policy Number 647388

Short Term Disability Claim Form(link is external)

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457(b) Deferred Compensation Program

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The deferred compensation program, also known as a 457(b) plan, is a defined contribution plan that allows employees to set money aside through pre-tax payroll contributions for retirement.  Because your contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis, you reduce your taxable income so you pay less income tax each pay period. You may elect to contribute to the plan with either flat dollar amount contributions or with percentage of your pay contributions.  You decide how to invest your contributions from a wide array of investment choices.  Your contributions and investments are not taxable until withdrawn.   With the Roth deferred compensation feature, your contributions go into the plan on an after-tax basis but your funds may be withdrawn tax free.  With a deferred compensation program your retirement benefit is dependent upon the amount of your contributions and the investment returns.

For additional information, please contact our deferred compensation plan representative at 410-274-9568 or visit the deferred compensation website(link is external).

Nationwide 457(b) Deferred Compensation Specialist Flyer(link is external)

Nationwide 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan Program Summary (link is external)

Nationwide Indexed Principal Protection Participant Brochure(link is external)

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Voluntary Benefits Program

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Employees regularly working 20+ hours per week have the option to enroll in a variety of voluntary benefits listed below. Employee cost share for voluntary benefit elections will be captured via payroll deduction. 

Decision Support Tool(link is external)

Chubb LifeTime Benefit Term Insurance with Long Term Care (LTC). 

Chubb LifeTime Benefit Term Insurance provides money to your family at death, and while you are living too. Life insurance premiums will never increase and are guaranteed to age 100. If you need LTC, you can access your death benefit while you are living for home health care, assisted living, adult day care and nursing home care. You get 4% of your death benefit per month while you are living for up to 25 months to help pay for LTC.  

Chubb LifeTime Benefit Term Insurance Brochure(link is external)

Nationwide Pet Insurance

Nationwide pet insurance helps you cover veterinary expenses so you can provide your pets with the best care possible without worrying about the cost. Simply pay for coverage through a convenient after-tax payroll deduction.

My Pet Protection Plan Summary(link is external)

Howard County Website(link is external)

The Standard Accident Insurance 

The Standard Accident pays cash benefits directly to you or anyone you choose regardless of any other coverage you have. The Standard Accident pays extra benefits for injuries resulting from participating in organized sports. 

The Standard Accident Coverage Highlights(link is external)

The Standard Accident Group Certificate(link is external) 

Accident Insurance Claim Form:(link is external) Policy Number 647388

Health Maintenance Benefit Screening Flyer (link is external)

Health Maintenance Screening Benefit Claim Form(link is external): Policy Number 647388

The Standard Critical Illness Insurance 

Prudential Critical Illness pays you cash immediately. Upon diagnosis of a covered illness, The Standard will send you a lump sum check directly to you. You can use your cash benefit however you choose. Your benefit is paid in full regardless of any other insurance you have. 

The Standard Critical Illness Coverage Highlights(link is external)

The Standard Critical Illness Group Certificate(link is external)

Critical Illness Claim Form:(link is external) Policy Number 647388

Health Maintenance Benefit Screening Flyer (link is external)

Health Maintenance Screening Benefit Claim Form(link is external): Policy Number 647388

The Standard Hospital Indemnity Insurance 

The Standard Hospital Indemnity plan pays a lump-sum benefit in the event of hospital admission, hospital confinement and intensive care expenses.

The Standard Hospital Indemnity Coverage Highlights (link is external)

The Standard Hospital Indemnity Group Certificate(link is external)

Hospital Indemnity Claim Form(link is external): Policy Number 647388

Health Maintenance Benefit Screening Flyer (link is external)

Health Maintenance Screening Benefit Claim Form(link is external): Policy Number 647388

Legal Resources Pre-Paid Legal Plan

Legal Resources provides pre-paid group legal services at no charge or at discounted attorney fees.  Please click on a link below for more detailed information.

Benefit Overview(link is external)

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