Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment 2025
Open Enrollment is a once-a-year opportunity to review your benefit choices, enroll or change plans, add or drop dependents, and enroll or re-enroll in the Flexible Spending Accounts. Our annual Open Enrollment period for the 2025 Benefit Plan Year will begin on 10/1/2024 and end on 10/31/2024. The 2025 Active Employee Benefits Overview Booklet provides a general overview of all the programs available to you. You can view this document on-line by clicking here.
All enrollment selections will take effect January 1, 2025. This is your last chance until January 2026, unless you have a qualifying event, to change your coverage or to add qualified dependents.
This is also the time to enroll in the Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), even if you are already participating. You must enroll again each year to remain in the plan. If you don’t re-enroll, your contributions will stop in pay period 1-2025.
Benefit deductions premiums for 2025 will begin in pay period 2025-03. They will continue to be taken 24 times per year. With the exception of flexible spending, there will not be benefits deductions in pay periods 2025-01, 2024-02 and 2025-14.
Superior Court of Santa Barbara County has a benefit program that provides you with the best coverage that is simple and comprehensive. We offer programs that protect your health, your money, your family and help you find balance between your concerns at work and at home. We also know the value of understanding your coverage so that you know how to get care when you need it, at the lowest cost.
To view the Open Enrollment presentation, please go to https://alliantbenefits.cld.bz/2025SBCourtsOEPresentation
HEALTH FAIR AND FLU SHOT LOCATIONS
We hope you join us at one of our 2024 Health Fairs. It's a great opportunity for you to obtain benefit information. We will also be hosting pneumonia and flu shot clinics during each health fair. EPO members, please bring your Express Scripts ID card with you if you would like a free vaccination. HDHP members, please bring your Blue Shield ID card. You must also bring a completed vaccine form if you want a flu shot.
Flu Shot Questionnaire and Consent Form
- Information on the Flu Vaccine can be found here.
- Information on the Pneumococcal Vaccine can be found here.
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Lompoc |
Santa Maria |
Santa Barbara |
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Tuesday, October 15th |
Wednesday, October 16th |
Thursday, October 17th |
Questions About Your Benefits? CARECOUNSEL-HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE
CareCounsel is an independent organization and is not part of your health plan. They are a healthcare assistance program with personal health advocates that can help you navigate the complexities of your health plan benefits. Your CareCounselor will listen to your concerns, answer questions, guide you to the appropriate resources, and intervene on your behalf for issues that confuse or frustrate you. You can always ask human resources for assistance, however, if you have confidential and personal questions, Care Counsel can guide and help you.
RESOURCES FOR YOUR HEALTHCARE NEEDS.
Some of the areas that CareCounsel can help are:
- Choosing a health plan for you and your family
- Selecting doctors and hospitals
- Troubleshooting claims problems
- Obtaining care or referrals
- Understanding your benefits
- Addressing quality-of-care concerns
- Communicating effectively with your doctor
- Getting the most from your healthcare dollars
- Finding resources for a health condition
- Transitioning to Medicare | Video Series
Contact CareCounsel at 1-888-227-3334 or at staff@carecounsel.com
http://www.carecounsel.com/
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2025 AND REMINDERS
Effective January 1, 2025:
- NEW Vision Buy-Up plan option effective 1/1/2025. Enhanced benefit offerings are available on page 19 of the Open Enrollment Benefit Booklet.
- NEW HSA contribution limits. 2025 HSA contribution limits will increase to $4,300 for individuals and $8,500
- Voluntary Life Insurance with Long Term Care benefit through CHUBB is available for all employees to enroll in. If you would like to increase your Voluntary Life Insurance, it will require Evidence of Insurability (EOI). The LifeTime Benefit Term plan protects your family with money that can be used any way you choose such as mortgage, rent, education for children, retirement, and other expenses. This benefit works by providing you Term Life Insurance and a Long-Term Care Benefit.
Life Insurance with Long Term Care
- Pet Insurance offered through Metlife is available to all employees. Protect your fur family from the unexpected. Pet insurance can help reimburse you for covered vet visits, accidents, illness and more. Plus, it can help keep your pet safe and health with preventative care like x-ryas and ultrasounds. Benefit counselors will be available telephonically from 10/16 through 10/20. More information will be emailed.
- Hinge Health added a Women's Pelvic Health Program. This program provides care for the unique musculosketal needs of women.
- A Few Otther Health Enhancing Programs available to you
- Wellvolution - A personalized digital platform for health and well-being
- Livongo - Manage Diabetes
- Carrum - Suergical benefit
To review your current plan selections you can visit the ADP Self Service Portal or https://www.workterra.net. We encourage ALL employees to visit the WorkTerra site to verify that your plan selections and covered dependents are correct.
- Any plan changes, including Flexible Spending Accounts, must be made online at https://www.workterra.net
- Open Enrollment Online instructions:
WorkTerra Guide - Eligibility Rules and Documentation
Be prepared before enrolling by having your personal information with you such as dependents' Social Security numbers, birthdates and addresses.
RATES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- 2025 Premium Rates
- 2025 Premium Rates for Part Time Employees:
50% | 60% | 62.5% | 75% | 80% | 87.5% | 90% - Rules for Benefits Changes During the Year
Santa Barbara County Superior Court offers a choice of medical plans through Blue Shield.
Blue Shield EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization)
Under the EPO plan, the network of contracted physicians and hospitals are known as Preferred Providers. Under an EPO plan, you do not have an assigned Primary Care Physician (PCP). You are allowed to access medical services from any Blue Shield national contracted in-network PPO physician, specialist or facility without having to obtain a referral. All covered services, except for Emergency Care, must be provided by a Preferred Provider. The EPO plan does not provide out-of-network benefits.
Blue Shield HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan)
The HDHP provides a choice and two levels of service: in-network and out-of-network. The HDHP uses the Blue Shield national PPO networks, so you have a choice of using in-network preferred providers or any out-of-network physician that you choose. There are no copayments; only co-insurance with coverage for in-network providers at a higher benefit level and lower cost to you. This plan has an annual deductible that must be met before it begins to pay the appropriate co-insurance amount.
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is available to you if you are enrolled in a HDHP. An HSA account allows you to contribute using pre-tax dollars, funds roll over and accumulate year to year if not spent. HSA funds can be used to pay any qualified medical expenses. This type of health savings account is owned by you and is portable. If you decide to terminate the HDHP, you will no longer be able to deposit new funds into the HSA account, but funds already in the HSA will remain available for your use.
TELADOC - VIRTUAL DOCTOR'S VISIT
24/7 Access to Doctors and Pediatricians
Teladoc provides you with access to board-certified doctors and pediatricians who are always available to resolve many of your medical issues via phone or online video consultations. It's quality healthcare, when and where you need it.
Call Teladoc from anywhere - home, work, or on the road – and let the doctor come to you! Teladoc doctors' diagnosis and treat many of your non-emergency medical problems. They can even write a prescription, if necessary, for you to pick up at your local pharmacy.
Teladoc doctors are available 24/7/365 to treat many of medical conditions, including: cold & flu symptoms; respiratory infection; ear infection; urinary tract infection; allergies; and, more!
Teladoc costs significantly less than urgent care and emergency room visits. Plus, you can use Teladoc from the convenience of home or work, allowing you to avoid the hassle of sitting in a waiting room. All doctors are board-certified and licensed in your state. You can count on Teladoc whenever your doctor is unavailable.
Visit www.teladoc.com/bsc for more information.
Prescription drug coverage provides a benefit that is important to your overall health, whether you need a prescription for a short-term health issue like bronchitis or an ongoing condition like high blood pressure. If you enroll in medical coverage, you will automatically receive coverage for prescription drugs. Here are the prescription drug plans that are offered with our Blue Shield EPO and HDHP plans.
BLUE SHIELD EPO: Express Scripts is your pharmacy carrier if you are on the Blue Shield EPO plan. You have a separate pharmacy ID card for your prescription coverage. You must use this ID card to obtain your prescriptions from your local pharmacy. Your Blue Shield ID card will not be valid.
BLUE SHIELD HDHP: You must use your Blue Shield ID card to obtain prescriptions (Express Scripts will not be your pharmacy carrier).
Express Scripts – Smart90 Program
What is the Smart90program?
This program is available to Express Scripts members that are taking maintenance medication on a daily basis. Express Scripts now gives you a choice on where to dispense a three-month supply of your maintenance drugs. You now have two convenient options through Smart90. You can:
- Fill your prescription through home delivery from the Express Scripts Pharmacy OR
- Fill your prescription at any CVS or Walgreens pharmacy
Relax with a 90-day supply.
Here is how your prescription plan works:
- If you are prescribed a daily maintenance medication, you have two 30-day fills at your local pharmacy.
- After two refills, you must move to a 90-day supply through Express Scripts home delivery pharmacy or at your local CVS or Walgreens.
- Let your doctor know that you need a 90-day supply when you are prescribed a daily maintenance medication. The doctor can write a prescription for 12 months and the medication can be refilled every 90 days.
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Other prescription programs through Express Scripts:
- SaveOnSp a specialty drug program that can lower your costs to $0.
- SafeGuard Rx a program to help reduce prescription costs for Inflammatory Conditions.
- Prescriptions for the EPO and HDHP are in the following tiered system:
- Tier 1 Drugs (Generic)
- Tier 2 Drugs (Preferred Brands)
- Tier 3 Drugs (Non-Preferred Brands)
- Tier 4 Drugs (Specialty Drugs)
Express Scripts Program Additions:
SaveOn SP is a specialty medication program that works to reduce specialty medication expenses. With SaveOn SP, members can get $0 copay for applicable medications
Safeguard Rx Inflammatory Conditions Care (ICC) Value Program - Safeguard Rx is designed to reduce plan expenses for drugs dispensed through Accredo that treat inflammatory conditions in the following 3 therapeutic categories: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dermatological and Gastrointestinal
Learn all about the Hinge Health Program
Conquer back and joint pain without surgery! You and your eligible family members 18+ enrolled in a Court medical plan (Blue Sheild EPO & HDHP plans) get free access to Hinge Health's programs for back, knee, hip, shoulder, neck, and other pain. Hinge Health provides all the tools you need to get moving aging from the comfort of your home. These are some of the ways your treatment plan could be tailored to you:
- Get a personal care team, including a physical therapist and health coach through the app, text, email, or virtual visits.
- Receive a free table and wearable sensors that give you live feedback during stretches and exercises.
- 15-minute sessions on your phone or table can help you reduce pain and increase strength and flexibility.
If you have any questions, contact Hinge Health at (855) 902-2777 or hello@hingehealth.com
You can also visit www.hingehealth.com/prismforyou
Support For Life's Challenges
Caring for your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical health. Now it is easier to get support through Wellvolution. Choose form convenient, secure, and easy-to-use programs like Headspace or Ginger.
Headspace is a self-guided meditation and sleep mode made simple. Sleep better with relaxing sounds, music, and wind-down exercise. Access "SOS" sessions for moments of pain, anxiety, and stress.
Ginger is an on-demand mental health support day or night. Get connected with a trained behavioral health coach via text message for 24/7 support or access personalized skill-building activities and a self-care library.
Santa Barbara County Superior Court offers you two Delta Dental plan options. Both the Delta Dental PPO and the DeltaCare USA DHMO plans offer comprehensive dental coverage. Compare plan features by reviewing the highlight comparison overview chart below.
- Delta Care and Delta Dental PPO Summaries
- Delta Care HMO Provider List
- www.deltadentalins.com/superiorcourtofcactyofsantabarbara
VSP features a broad provider network with substantial access across the United States in a variety of settings. All VSP network providers are independent optometrists or ophthalmologists in private practice who provide full service. However, you do have the option of using a non-network provider under the VSP plan, but the benefit allowances are lower. You can also sign up for the Premier Program by visiting www.vsp.com or calling 800.877.7195
HEALTHCARE AND DEPENDENT CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS
Santa Barbara County Superior Court offers you the opportunity to participate in a Healthcare and /or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
How your FSA Account Works
Each year during the Open Enrollment period, you decide how much you want to contribute to the Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account. Your 2024 enrollment election does NOT automatically carry over to the 2025 plan year.
Each pay period, the money deducted before taxes is withheld in equal increments from your pay and contributed to your healthcare and / or dependent care spending account(s). You can elect up to $3,200 annually for the Health Care FSA. You may contribute up to $5,000 per household for the Dependent Care FSA. Unlike health benefits, FSA contributions are withheld in all 26 pay periods.
NOTE: The 2025 FSA maximum amount may change in October when the IRS announces the maximum limits for 2025.
As a participant of the Health Care FSA plan, you can choose to have an FSA debit card. This card is linked to your FSA account. When purchasing qualified medical services or products, you simply use your FSA debit card, and the transaction is complete. Be sure to keep your receipts since you will need to provide proof of expenses if audited.
If you do not use a debit card for your transaction, you can submit your claim and receipts via fax or U.S. mail. Upon review and approval of the eligible expenses submitted to FSA, you will be reimbursed for the expense(s).
Be Cautious!!
- Only qualifying medical expenses incurred during the plan year will be eligible for reimbursement.
- The FSA plans have an added feature (Grace Period) that allows you to continue to incur new claims up to 3/15/2025, with any remaining funds from your 2024 elected amount. Expenses must be submitted for reimbursement no later than May 30, 2025.
- You must spend all the money in your accounts, or you will lose it. IRS rules do not allow you to carry over an FSA balance from one year to the next, so be sure to estimate your contributions carefully.
- Once you enroll, you can only change your elected payroll contributions if there is a change in family status, such as: marriage, divorce, death, birth, adoption, or change in employment status.
- Money cannot be transferred between the Health Care and Dependent Care FSA.
- If your employment with Santa Barbara County Superior Court terminates, you can only be reimbursed for claims incurred up to your last day of employment.
Note for Over the Counter (OTC) Drugs and medicines:
As part of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, you can use your FSA or HSA funds to buy over-the-counter medications without a prescription or letter of medical necessity, like Tylenol and other pain relievers, heartburn medications, allergy relief and more. You can also use your funds for feminine care products too.
TRANSIT & PARKING FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS
Santa Barbara County Superior Court offers you the opportunity to participate in a Parking/Transit Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
How your commuter benefits program works.
Use the money in your WorkTerra Commuter Program for all of your eligible work-related transit and parking expenses. Work-related transit expenses consist of vouchers, passes, tokens, and fare cards for transportation via bus, commercial vanpool or train. Parking expenses incurred include parking at or near work, parking at or near transportation site and park and ride expenses. Ineligible expenses include (but are not limited to) tolls, car maintenance, carpools and gasoline.
Twice monthly, you set aside some of your pay, before taxes, to use for your eligible transit and/or parking expenses. The maximum IRS allowed amount for 2024 is $315 per month.
NOTE: The 2025 FSA maximum amount may change in October when the IRS announces the maximum limits for 2025.
You save because the money to fund the program is deducted from your pay before taxes are taken out. Since the money used to fund the program isn’t taxed, you save between 25% and 40% on every purchase.
Using your commuter program is easy:
When you sign up for the program, you determine the amount of parking and/or transit expenses you would like deducted each pay period. As the amount is deducted from your paycheck, the money is put into your account and is available for you to use for eligible expenses. Accessing your account funds is easy:
- Your Visit Card. Use it instead of cash at eligible parking and transportation providers.
A Health Saving Account (HSA) is available only to employees who participate in the Blue Shield High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). An HSA is like an IRA for healthcare. It is a tax-advantaged personal savings or investment account that you can use to save and pay for qualified health expenses, now or in the future. Paired with a qualified high deductible health plan (HDHP), an HSA is a powerful financial tool that empowers you to be more actively
involved in your healthcare decisions.
An HSA allows you to:
- Save toward medical expenses (including dental and vision), up to IRS maximums (see Table)
- Have your contributions deducted on a pre-tax basis
- Change your contribution amount at any time
- Roll the funds to the following year (this is not a “use it or lose it” plan)
- Keep the account; it is portable; it goes with you if you leave employment
- Use a debit card to pay for qualified medical expenses
- Use the funds to pay for IRS tax dependents even if they are not enrolled in the HDHP
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TABLE 1- HSA Contribution Limits for 2024 |
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Annual Single Contribution Maximum |
$4,300* |
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Annual Family Contribution Maximum |
$8,550* |
*These amounts are the maximum the IRS allows you to contribute to your HSA. If the Court contributes $900 into this account, you have to deduct that amount from this limit Here's an example: $4,300 - $900 =$3,400 would be the annual single contribution maximum you can make on a pre-tax basis.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
- If you have a Healthcare Flex Spending Account (FSA) for 2024, you cannot open an HSA until the available funds in your 2024 FSA Healthcare account have been used, and the balance in your Healthcare FSA account is $0.
- You cannot have an HSA and be a dependent on another person’s health insurance plan, unless that plan is also a High Deductible Health Plan.
- The Court will contribute $900 annually over 26 pay periods into your Sterling HSA account.
You must open your HSA with Sterling HSA. If you do not open your account, you will not be able to receive any of the Court’s contributions.
- http://www.sterlinghsa.com/
- HSA Packages, Fees and Enrollment Kit
- HDHP and HSA Basics Video
- HSA: How They Work
- HSA Store
- HSA, HRA, FSA Sample Eligible Expenses
- HSA Tax Savings and Investment Options
SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE AND AD&D INSURANCE
All regular employees may enroll in Supplemental Life Insurance through VOYA. Premiums are determined by your age and will be withheld from your paycheck.
For any amount elected after your initial eligibility period (31 days), you must provide Evidence of Insurability (EOI) and be approved for the amount elected.
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Class |
Amount of Supplemental Life Insurance* |
Amount of Supplemental |
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Eligible Employees |
Can elect from $20,000 to $500,000 in $10,000 increments |
$10,000** |
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Spouse or Domestic Partner |
Can elect from $20,000 to $500,000 in $10,000 increments not to exceed 100% of Employee's Supplemental Life Insurance amount |
Employee must have coverage. |
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Child |
Can elect $5,000 or $10,000 From birth to age 19 or full-time student under 26 years of age. |
From 6 months until age 26. Child under 6 months covered for $1000. Employee must have coverage. |
* Your amount of Supplemental Life and AD&D will decrease to 65% on your 65th birthday, to 50% of original coverage amount at age 70 and to 30% of the original coverage at age 75.
** A $10,000 AD&D policy is included with the Employee's Supplemental Life insurance policy for a minimal fee.
VOLUNTARY HOSPITAL CONFINEMENT INDEMNITY PLAN
The plan pays a daily benefit if you have a covered stay in a hospital, critical care unit or rehabilitation facility. This voluntary benefit is separate from your Blue Shield hospital benefit. This plan will pay you a lump sum which you can use to help offset copays, coinsurance, deductibles that you incur for a hospital admission, or you can use it to pay bills, rent or buy groceries.
The plan also has a Wellness benefit that provides an annual amount if you complete a health screening test. For employees, the annual benefit amount is $50 for completing a health screening test. Your spouse's benefit amount is $50. The benefit for child coverage is 50% of your benefit amount per child with an annual maximum of $100 for all children.
VOLUNTARY PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE
All regular employees may enroll in voluntary Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) through VOYA. Premiums are based on a flat rate per $1,000 and will be withheld from your paycheck. Coverage can be elected for Employee only or Family (Spouse/Domestic Partner and Child). Evidence of Insurability (EOI) is not required for PAI.
For you
- Coverage amounts from $25,000 to $300,000 in $25,000 increments not to exceed 10 times your annual salary.
- Benefit reduced by 65% at age 65; to 50% of original coverage amount at age 70 and to 30% or the original coverage at age 75.
- Benefit ceases at retirement.
- Rate: Coverage times $.04/$1,000
For your family
- Spouse coverage amount equal to 50% of employee coverage.
- Child coverage is equal to 10% of employee amount.
- Rate: Coverage times $.56/$1,000
- Personal accident insurance rates
Compass Critical Illness Insurace through VOYA Financial is a limited benefit policy and is not health insurance. This policy pays a benefit on top of any health insurance benefits you currently receive. Critical illness insurance pays you a lump sum benefit upon diagnosis of a covered illness such as cancer, heart attack or stroke. Payments are made directly to you to cover copays and deductibles, at-home care or even your monthly bills. This policy offers an annual Wellness benefit that provides a $150 reimbursement for each covered employee and spouse who completes a covered health screening. The child benefit is 50% of employee amount with a maximum of $300 in child wellness benefits.
Learn more here:
Voluntary Compass Accident Insurance is offered by Voya Financial. This policy helps you pay for the out-of-pocket costs you may experience after an accident. The policy pays a lump sum amount depending on the type of injuries you have sustained such as broken bones, torn ligaments, burns, as well as for expenses from hospitalizations, the ER, office visits or physical therapy. You may use this amount to pay for everyday living expenses or to pay healthcare costs. The policy also has an annual Wellness Benefit that pays you $100 for completing a screening, an additional $100 to covered spouse and $50 for a child.
Learn more here:
Covered members may submit the same wellness claim for reimbursement in both plans.
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free professional, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems. Services are offered to your spouse, domestic partner, and dependent children up to age 26. The program is provided through Concern and is available to employees and their immediate family members. You have 24-hour toll-free phone access to EAP professionals 7 days a week. This program is voluntary, completely confidential and at no cost to you.
Trained counselors who can assist with:
- Stress and anxiety
- Major life changes
- Communications
- Grief and loss
- Legal services
- Substance abuse
- Relationships
Counseling. Up to 3 visits per person, per issue, per 12-month period. In-person, telephone, video, text or chat.
Patient Coaching. Three free telephonic sessions per year with an experienced certified coach.
Financial. Free 30-minute consultation with a qualified attorney. 25% off normal hourly rates if you retain their services.
Company code: Santabarbaracourts
For more information: http://employees.concernhealth.com or call 800.242.6220
ANNUAL NOTICES
View annual notices here:
- Medicare Part D Notice
- Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act
- Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act
- HIPPA Privacy Notice
- HIPAA Notice of Special Enrollment Rights
- ACA 1557 Notice
- Notice of Grandfathered Plan Status
- Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Rules for Benefit Changes During the Year
HR staff will be available to assist you if you encounter any problems.
- x4715: Teri Carter
- x4739: David Rodriguez
- X6405: Karina Morales
- x4545: Stephanie Robbins
- x6698: Dori Sikes
If you have questions but are unable to attend an open enrollment meeting, please contact Care Counsel (888-227-3334) or Superior Court Human Resources hr@sbcourts.org