Health Plans
The opportunity to have access to tax deferred healthcare is an extremely valuable benefit. At Arapahoe County, we present a comprehensive benefit package with an assortment of medical, dental and vision plans giving you the opportunity to pick and choose what is best for you and your circumstances.
Coverage Tiers
- Employee only
- Employee + Spouse
- Employee + Child(ren)
- Employee + Family
Medical Plan
You have the choice of two fully insured medical plans administered by Kaiser Permanente.
- Deductible HMO (DHMO)
- HMO Plus (HMO+)
Each plan offers different levels of coverage, premiums and out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses. It is important for you to discuss these options with your family and choose the plan best suited for your specific needs.
No matter what decision you make, both plans offer a variety of medical services, which include, but are not limited to: preventive, hospitalization, surgery, office visits, emergency care and prescription drug coverage.
For many medical services, such as physician office visits and prescription drugs, you make a copayment for the services. For preventive services, the plan pays 100% in-network. Please be advised that if during a preventive appointment diagnostic services are performed, there will likely be a charge.
On the Deductible HMO Plan, medical services not covered by a copay, such as inpatient hospitalization and outpatient surgery must satisfy an annual deductible before the plan begins to make payment. The Deductible HMO is accompanied with a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) which applies to the deductible. (Refer to HRA section for information on how this deductible may be reduced.)
On the HMO Plus Plan or after the deductible is satisfied on the DHMO, the plan pays a portion of covered expenses and you pay a percentage. This is referred to as coinsurance.
The combination of copays, deductible and coinsurance you pay is your out-of-pocket costs. The annual out-of-pocket maximum limits your total annual costs. Once you reach that amount, the plan pays 100% for the remainder of the calendar year.
Out-of-Network Services
The HMO Plus Plan allows for 10 out-of-network, in office procedures each year, but the majority of all coverage must be utilized with in the Kaiser Permanente Network.
Out-of-Network in-office procedures
- Office Visits
- Blood Draw
- X-Rays
Preventive Services
Arapahoe County health plans enable you to take a more active role in your health. A first step in that role is to maintain your well-being and keep up on your preventive care appointments, which are covered by the plan at 100% and could satisfy part of your Wellness Counts requirement(s). There are advantages on keeping up your preventive appointments, including early detection of potentially serious conditions and better overall health, resulting in healthcare savings in the future.
Medical At-A-Glance:
Out-of-Area Dependent Coverage
Kaiser Permanente covers routine, continuing, and follow-up care for anyone enrolled in the plan who is an out-of-area dependent. Therefore, out-of-area services will be covered for non-urgent medical needs. Medically necessary urgent and emergency care are covered for dependents while out of the service area.
The Out-of-Area Dependent Benefit will cover up to:
- 5 office visits
- 5 diagnostic X-rays
- 5 prescription drug refills
Applicable copays/coinsurance apply. For additional details please visit My Benefits.
Dental Plan
Regular dental exams can help you and your dentist detect problems in the early stages when treatment is simpler and costs are lower. Keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy will help prevent most tooth decay and periodontal disease, and is an important part of maintaining your health.
Arapahoe County offers dental insurance through Delta Dental of Colorado. You have access to Delta Dental’s PPO network at a discounted rate. 
As a member in Delta Dental, you always have the choice of seeing any licensed dentist; however, you will experience the greatest savings if you see a Delta Dental PPO dentist. No cards are issued for this plan; coverage will be verified by your Social Security number.
Below is a summary of the coverage under the plan:
Vision Plan
Regular vision screenings can help you and your ophthalmologist detect problems in the early stages when treatment is simpler, and costs are lower. Your eye doctor can also detect early signs of serious health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and risk of stroke, based on the appearance and structure of your eye, making regular vision screenings and important part of maintaining your health.
Arapahoe County offers vision coverage through Vision Service Plan’s (VSP) Choice Network. The plan provides discounted services for the employee and covered dependents. No cards are issued for this plan; coverage will be verified by your Social Security Number.
When you visit a VSP provider, your vision benefits will include:
Vision Care Discount Program
If you and your dependents are enrolled in Delta Dental, you are also eligible for discounted vision care benefits offered through EyeMed Vision Care.
To receive discounted vision benefits, you need to use an EyeMed provider. For a list of providers call 1-866-2469041 or visit www.eyemedvisioncare.com/deltadental.
When you see the provider, you need to present an ID card to receive the discount. You may pick up ID cards and pamphlets at benefit fairs, in the Benefits Department, print one from My Benefits or from the above website.
Value Added Discounts
Laser VisionCareSM – VSP has contracted with many of the nation’s finest laser surgery facilities and doctors, offering you a discount off PRK and LASIK surgeries.
Contact Lenses – Extra savings with exclusive contact lens rebates for VSP members.
Prescription Glasses – 20% off any amount over your frame allowance and an average of 35%-40% off non-covered lens enhancements with VSP providers, 30% savings on additional glasses and sunglasses, including lens enhancements, from the same VSP provider on the same day as your Well Vision Exam. Or get a 20% discount from and VSP provider within 12 months of your last Well Vision Exam.
KidsCare – New pair of frames every year, new lenses as needed, (minimum prescription change required), impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses at no charge.
Well-being Guidance
Sometimes life can be challenging. That is why Arapahoe County provides all employees with Well-being Guidance Services at no cost to you. Primarily this service provides you with confidential 24/7/365 guidance on some of those challenges.
Could you feel happier than you do? We offer stress reduction guidance.
Feel like you are arguing with your spouse, kids, coworkers? We offer communication guidance.
Would you like to get frustrated or irritated less? We offer mind health guidance.
Want to sleep better or have more energy? We offer mindfulness guidance.
Are you needing to have a tough conversation with a direct report? We offer manager guidance.
Are you about to go on a vacation? We can guide you to a pet sitter.
Do you need to complete a will? We can guide you to legal assistance.
There are a variety of issues we can provide guidance on, including but not limited to:
• Child-care and parenting
• Helping aging parents
• Financial issues
• Legal concerns
• Work and career
• Emotional Well-being
• Addiction and recovery
• Well-being and prevention
• Life events
• Coping with stress and change
• Relationship issues
• Resources to support work/life success
• Dealing with traumatic events
Arapahoe County Well-being Program
What do you think of when you think of wellness? A fad, a trend, or the next diet craze out there? At Arapahoe County we believe that wellness has evolved from perhaps just that, a craze or a passing trend, into a lifestyle or a constant state of ‘being well’ or ‘well-being’. We look at wellness as more than just physical fitness -- something we do short-term for an incentive that we’ll forget about in a few weeks -- to opportunities to make healthier choices every day that have the power to improve our lives for the better of our future.
“Arapahoe WOW” (Working on Well-being) which offers opportunities to engage in long lasting behavior change that will allow all of us to live our best lives and be the best version of ourselves. This serves everyone well – all of us, our co-workers, our families and especially the citizens of Arapahoe County. We fully believe in our value of Service First and want you to feel empowered to take great care of yourself, so that you can take great care of our citizens every day at work.
Arapahoe WOW aims to offer opportunities to make decisions that will help lead to a healthier you by focusing on our six “petals” of well-being: Career, Community, Emotional, Financial, Physical, and Social.
We want to meet you where you are and help you grow and move to a new level of health and well-being! To that end, we offer you My Well-being hosted at www.arapahoewow.com with several programs and challenges throughout the year.
By completing programs in the portal, including Wellness Counts (incentive program which offers a reward to offset the following years healthcare premiums) and making small changes surrounding the six petals of well-being, you will be empowered to form daily habits that will lead to healthier lifestyles.
Complete Arapahoe County WOW Activities and earn. Review your program overview or check the incentive tracking table on the portal to learn more about activities and rewards.
Reward mall credits must be redeemed by Jan. 20 of the following year.
My Well-being Portal
Participate in group and personal well-being challenges. You will have the opportunity to join group challenges throughout the year and you can complete personal challenges whenever you like.
Select Challenges –> Search along the top navigation to browse available personal challenges.
Sync your favorite devices and apps or download the Navigate Well-being App to simply and seamlessly track activity within the portal: step count, activity minutes, nutrition, hydration, sleep and weight. This information can also be tracked manually. Browse a library of recipes and workout videos. Don’t make healthy living a chore! Search for exercises and meals you actually enjoy, then add them to your Favorites for easy retrieval later.
Our hope is that this portal gives you the resources you need to make the choices for you and your dependents that allow you to live your best life – and one that is truly fulfilled, connected, balanced, prepared, healthy and supported!
Nursing Mothers
Breastfeeding mothers are allowed to use unpaid break time or to use paid break time, meal time or both to express breast milk for her nursing child for up to two years after the child’s birth. A private space (not a toilet stall or restroom) will be made available for mothers to express milk. Wherever practicable, the private space will include an electrical outlet for the use of an electric breast pump. For the location nearest you, please contact Benefits.
HEALTH CARE TIPS
Notes to Assist You in Choosing a Plan
Being a good healthcare consumer means learning about healthcare costs and making smart choices about the care and services you receive. How we use our plans as individuals affects the costs of coverage for everyone, which is part of being in a group health plan. In addition, the more we spend on our individual healthcare, the greater impact it will have on overall costs of coverage. This doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t schedule preventive and necessary visits, as neglecting these services can lead to severe health complications in the future which will increase the expense of the plan to you and the County. This guide gives you a general overview of the plans, and we recommend you keep a copy at home. Using the provider websites and the materials on My Benefits can help you with your more detailed questions. Use the tools made available to you to make educated decisions.
Benefits vs. Care
It’s important to note that the County offers employees healthcare benefits, not healthcare. You, along with your healthcare professional, are responsible for deciding what care is best for you. If the plan does not cover part or all of the cost of your care, you are responsible for the cost of healthcare that you decide is best for you.
You want to review with your family the cost impact of your specific healthcare needs and deem which plan will work best for you and your family.
By becoming more involved in your care, you will not only feel more in control of your health, but you will be able to make better decisions that could save you money.
Cost and Time Saving Tips
Nurse Hotline
The Kaiser Nurse Hotline is a free service available 24/7/365 to answer your medical questions. Connect with a licensed care provider day or night for advice, referrals, prescriptions, and more. Call 303-338-4545
Chat with a Doc
You can login to kp.org or the KP app to open Chat to talk to an Emergency Room Doctor, Pharmacist, Psychologist or Financial Counselor free of charge. This may save you a copay and a trip to the office. Available between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., 7 days a week.
Dispatch Health
This is a mobile urgent care unit that makes house calls. This service costs the same as your regular urgent care copay but you can avoid the long waits in the clinic and rest at home while waiting for care. Order care between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., 7 days a week through the mobile app or by calling 303-500-1518.
Kaiser Members can email their doctor’s office with non-urgent questions – often saving an appointment and a trip to the medical office, as well as a copay.
Video Visits
A convenient option to get care is through Kaiser’s secure, personalized video visits. Kaiser Permanente providers will determine whether a patient’s care needs can be addressed through a video visit. Talk to your physician for more information.
E-visit
E-visits are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for certain medical conditions, to registered users of kp.org, at no cost.
Medication Adherence
Medication adherence is associated with fewer inpatient hospital days and emergency department visits. Follow the doctor’s orders regarding medications and save out-of-pocket expenses for avoidable hospital and emergency room visits.
Generics vs Name Brand
By requesting generic prescriptions when possible, you can save on out-of-pocket cost. Participants pay a $15 copay for generic as compared to $30 copay for name brand.
Mail Order
Mail order prescriptions can save you even more when you receive a 3-month supply and pay only two copayments for both generic and name brand prescriptions.
Dental Cleaning
Proper dental cleanings help prevent more serious (costly) medical conditions that can be caused by bacteria such as gum disease, infections, heart attack, stroke, or preterm labor. Often your dental health may be an early indicator of other medical issues. By getting your biannual cleanings you help prevent serious health conditions or get early detection.
Enrollment
Please see the enrollment instructions on My Benefits for information on enrolling in benefits during Open Enrollment. New hires will receive instructions for enrolling at New Hire Orientation.
You may view your elected benefits or print a Benefit Detail Report from My Benefits at anytime.
It is important that you review your paycheck to ensure that your enrollments and deductions are correct. Due to IRS guidelines, you only have a small window of time in which to make corrections. Please notify the Benefits Team immediately if you have questions or concerns about your benefit deductions.