Medical Benefits
Welcome
Cheshire County is committed to the health and wellbeing of its employees. We are proud to offer you an exceptional health plan through Health Plans Inc. Cheshire County offers the Open Access Plan, offering you comprehensive medical care and prescription coverage, along with the resources to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Eligibility
All regular full-time employees working 30+ hours a week are eligible to enroll in health insurance. Eligibility for newly hired employees is after 60 days of full-time employment.
Benefit Information
How do I enroll?
Open Enrollment is your time to make new benefit elections or make changes to your current benefit elections.
Newly hired, regular full-time employees will enroll for health insurance benefits during the new employee orientation period. Eligibility begins following 60 days of continuous employment.
Waiving or Declining Health Insurance
If you are eligible for health insurance and will not be enrolling because of alternative coverage, or choose not to have insurance, a waiver form must be signed during the enrollment period. If you elect not to enroll, you may not join the plan until the next Open Enrollment period, effective January 1, 2026, unless there is a “qualifying event.” A Qualifying Life Event is a life-changing situation that allows you to make changes to your benefit elections, outside of the normal, Open Enrollment period. Examples of Qualifying Life Events include: the birth of a child, marriage, divorce and a loss of other coverage.
All employees should be aware of possible Federal tax penalties for declining Fenton’s health insurance plan enrollment, as well as alternatives for health insurance available through the Health Insurance Exchange. For more information about declining health insurance, see: https://www.healthcare.gov/get-coverage/ and http://www.valuepenguin.com/ppaca/exchanges/nh.
What happens if I leave Cheshire County employment?
Under certain circumstances, you and your dependents may continue to participate in health coverage, dental insurance, and the Medical Flexible Spending Account through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. COBRA is a federal guarantee of the continuation of health insurance plan coverage after employment ends, which allows you to remain on medical and dental coverage, at the employee’s expense, for up to 18 or 36 months, depending on the circumstances. Former employees who enroll via COBRA will be responsible for the full cost of the monthly premiums.
Summary of Benefits & Coverages
Cheshire County is pleased to offer employees health insurance through Health Plans Inc. for the 2024 plan year.
There are three factors that make up the overall cost of your Health plan.
Network – Cheshire County’s Open Access Plan is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) which offers both In-Network and Out-of-Network services. You will pay less for most services by using In-Network providers. To find an In-Network provider, go to: www.healthplansinc.com or call 1-800-532-7575.
Cost To Use – You will be responsible for Copays for primary care providers, specialists, urgent care and Emergency Room visits, Outpatient Surgeries, various Therapies and Prescriptions. For Out-of-Network services, in addition to some copays, you will be responsible for cost sharing after meeting the deductible. There is no deductible for In-Network services and a $500 Individual or $1,000 family Out-of-Pocket Maximum. Out-of-Network services are subject to a $300 individual and $600 family deductible and a $1,000/$2,000 Out-of-Pocket Maximum. With each plan, you will pay copays for Prescriptions, along with a $1,000 Individual and $2,000 family Out-of-Pocket Maximum. The Out-of-Pocket maximum refers to the most you will pay for covered expenses under each plan.
Cost To Own – The amount that will be deducted from each paycheck is listed below.
Health Plan Overview
Contributions & Rates
The chart below shows the weekly payroll deduction for various coverage levels of the plan.
Plan Documents
Pharmacy Information
Helpful Resources
Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
What is a Medical Flexible Spending Account? A Medical FSA is a tax-advantaged employee benefit that allows eligible employees to voluntarily set aside pre-tax dollars through equal payroll deductions to be used for eligible health care expenses.
Who is eligible? The medical FSA is available to employees working 24 hours or more each week, whether or not they participate in Cheshire County’s health insurance. For new employees, eligibility begins on the 1st of the month following 90 days of employment. If you choose not to enroll at Open Enrollment that time, you must wait until the Annual Enrollment for the next plan year.
Eligible employees may elect to contribute up to $3,300 during the plan year, January 1, 2025-December 31, 2025.
Medical FSA Basics
- Medical FSAs are used to set aside money for planned or reoccurring qualified medical expenses that are not covered by insurance, such as dental care, vision care, contact lenses, co-pays, deductibles, out-of-network expenses. For a list of qualified expenses visit: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf
- Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the definition of a qualifying medical expense now includes certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications and products. For some examples of these products, see the “Expanded FSA Expense” flyer.
- You have full access to your total election amount on the 1st day of that plan year. You do not need to wait until your FSA payroll deductions equal the amount of your qualified medical expense.
- Most transactions can be paid at the point of sale with a debit card pre-loaded with your total FSA amount for that plan year.
- You have 90 days from the end of the plan year in which to submit any claims. For the 2025 plan year, you will forfeit any money over $660 that is left at the end of the plan year in your Health FSA account. If you have $660 or less in your health FSA account those funds will automatically be carried over into the subsequent plan year.
What is the most I can contribute?
- $3,300 for plan year 1/1/2025-12/31/2025
- Payroll deductions are based on 24 paychecks per year.
- For new employees enrolling after January 1, the maximum allowable amount to be set aside is prorated. Payroll deductions will be based on the remaining number payroll checks in the plan year.
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account Basics
The Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account is designed to help you pay for child care services for a child who is under age 13 or care for a disabled Spouse or Dependent when those services make it possible for you (or you and your Spouse if you are married and/or your Spouse is not disabled or a full-time student) to work.
You qualify for this benefit if:
- You are a single parent; or
- You have a working Spouse; or
- Your Spouse is a full-time student for at least five months during the year while you are working; or
- Your Spouse is disabled and unable to provide for one’s own care.
In 2025 the maximum amount you may contribute to the dependent care FSA is $5,000* (if single or married & filing jointly) or $2,500* (if married & filing separately)
How do I enroll in the Medical Flexible Spending Account?
Whether you are enrolling for the first time, or continuing to participate in the new plan year, you would need to complete an American Benefit Group Flex Enrollment Form, to designate the total amount you have decided to set aside, and to acknowledge the weekly payroll deduction amount.
Once you have made an election, unless you experience a qualifying event, you are unable to make changes until the next open enrollment period.
How do I access my account?
Once you have enrolled in your FSA, you can access your ABG account by going to www.amben.com. If you have not already registered your account, you will need to do so.
Registration ID: ABGCCTY
Carrier Contact Information
Forms and Plan Documents
FSA Store
The Richards Group has entered into a partnership with Health-E Commerce, also known as the FSA Store. This gives you access to hundreds of products that have been pre-vetted & approved for use with your Flexible Spending Account.
Did you know you could use your FSA to save money on everyday health essentials like baby health items, health trackers, pain relief products and more?
Here are just a few benefits of using the FSA Store:
- No Receipts Needed
- 2,500+ FSA Eligible Products
- 100% Eligibility Guaranteed
- Skip the claims process when you use your FSA card
This partnership also allows access to their Caring Mill products. Caring Mill is a line of premium healthcare products that support a healthy lifestyle and on average is priced 30% less than branded equivalent products.
With every Caring Mill purchase, a donation is made to Children’s Health Fund, providing necessary treatments to thousands of children in need, throughout the United States.
Curious what your FSA dollars can cover? Simply enter the product you are looking for in the eligibility list below.
Dental Benefits
Eligiblity
All full-time regular employees who work a minimum of 30 hours per week are eligible following 60 days of continuous employment.
Summary of Benefits and Coverages
Plan Overview
Cheshire County offers it’s employees a Dental Plan through Northeast Delta Dental. The plan covers Preventive Care, Minor and Major Restorative procedures.
The chart below provides a high level overview of the dental plan design and features offered to eligible employees by Cheshire County. You can also find your per pay period contributions/premiums below.
Plan Overview
Cheshire County offers it’s employees a Dental Plan through Northeast Delta Dental. The plan covers Preventive Care, Minor and Major Restorative procedures.
The chart below provides a high level overview of the dental plan design and features offered to eligible employees by Cheshire County. You can also find your per pay period contributions/premiums below.
When considering whether purchasing dental insurance makes sense for you and your family, there are three things you should consider:
Network – Finding a dentist is easy. Go to www.nedelta.com and select “Find a Dentist”. If you visit a non-participating (Out-of-Network) dentist, you may be responsible for additional fees.
3 providers used under the previous plan have been identified as out-of-network with Northeast Delta Dental:
- Alan Ross
- Miguel Velez
- Amelia Grabe Lane
When Out-of-Networks providers are used, the plan will reimburse at 90% of the Maximum Allowable Charge (MAC) for the service. See the example below:
Cost to Use – There is no deductible for In-network services. You will pay a calendar year deductible of $25 for an individual and $75 for a family, for type B & C services, those that are not considered Diagnostic or Preventive.
The annual maximum Benefit Amount for the Northeast Delta Dental plan is $1,250 per member.
Northeast Delta Dental offers a Double-Up Max carryover benefit feature on select dental programs. With this feature, enrollees may double their annual maximum by accumulating $250 a year in additional benefits for use in future coverage periods. When a dental procedure is needed that costs more than the annual maximum allows, accrued carryover benefit dollars can help make up the difference.
After meeting the deductible (if out-of-network), you will be responsible for 20% of the cost of in-network Type 2 services. You will pay 50% of Type 3 services. You will then be responsible for 100% of all services once you’ve reached your annual maximum of $1,250.
Cost to Own – What will your per paycheck deduction be? The amount that will be deducted from each paycheck is listed below.
With Dental Insurance, it might be helpful to conduct a cost-benefit analysis for yourself and your family before enrolling. Once you’ve determined your annual cost to own the insurance, based on the premium chart above, consider the following:
- How often do you and your family members receive preventive dental care?
- Do you expect to need major, non-cosmetic dental work in the coming year?
- Do you have a dentist you know and trust that is included in this plan’s network?
- Would making tax favorable elections/contributions to an FSA be a less expensive way for you to pay for dental care?
Carrier Contact Information
Northeast Delta Dental: Dental Insurance
Customer Service: 800-537-1715
Website: www.nedelta.com
Plan Documents
Group Life Insurance
Summary of Group Basic Life and AD&D Benefits and Coverages
Eligibility
All Active, Full-Time employees who work 30+ hours per week are eligible on the 1st of the month following 90 days of employment.
Insurance can play an important role in reducing financial stress when a family is faced with the pre-mature death or disability of a wage-earner.
To help employees during critical times of need, through Lincoln Financial Group, Cheshire County provides employer paid Life Insurance to all regular, full-time employees who work 30+ hours a week. New employees become eligible on the first of the month following 90 days of employment.
- This is a Term Life policy
- Valued at $10,000
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment included, also worth $10,000
Summary of Voluntary Life and AD&D Benefits and Coverages
All Active, Full-Time employees who work 24+ hours per week are eligible on the 1st of the month following 90 days of employment.
Eligibility
Families have unique circumstances and financial needs. Cheshire County offers its Full-time employees who work 24+ hours per week, the opportunity to elect Supplemental Employee Life Insurance, Spouse Life Insurance and Child Life Insurance.
- Coverage is $5,000 – $300,000 depending on the covered member (employee, spouse or child)
- Employee – $300,000 maximum (Not exceed 5x earnings for amounts over $150,000)
- Spouse – $150,000 maximum (coverage may not exceed 50% of employee amount)
- Original Employee Supplemental Life benefit amount will reduce by 33% at age 70, and an additional 33% at age 75. Spouse coverage will reduce by 35% at age 65 and terminate at age 70.
- Employees will be required to submit a health application (EOI) if they elect coverage in excess of the guarantee issue amount
- Guaranteed issue amount (at initial eligibility period only) for Employee Supplemental Life is $130,000 and $50,000 for Spouse Life. (Guarantee issue amount only for newly eligible) All Child Life amounts are guaranteed issue up to 100% of the employee’s benefit.
- See the attached Voluntary Life and AD&D Rate Sheet to calculate your monthly premium.
Carrier Contact Information
Lincoln Financial Group: Basic Life and AD&D
Customer Service: 877-275-5462
Website: www.lfg.com
Contributions
Group Basic Life and AD&D is 100% paid for by Cheshire County.
Forms & Plan Documents
Short-Term Disability
Eligibility
All Full-Time employees who work 30 or more hours per week are eligible beginning on the first of the month following 90 days of employment.
Summary of Benefits and Coverages
Most people don’t think about being disabled and unable to bring home their paycheck. Your financial obligations and living expenses don’t stop when you become disabled. Disability insurance can play an important role in reducing financial stress when facing the disability of a wage-earner.
To help you during critical times of need, through Lincoln Financial Group, Cheshire County provides employer paid Short Term Disability insurance to all regular part-time and full-time employees who work 30+ hours per week. New employees become eligible on the first of the month following 3 months of employment.
Below is a table outlining the benefits coverage:
Carrier Contact Information
Lincoln Financial Group: Short-Term Disability Insurance
Customer Service: 877-275-5462
Website: www.lfg.com
Forms & Plan Documents
Additional benefits offered by Lincoln Financial Group.
Long-Term Disability
Eligibility
All Full-Time employees who work 30 or more hours per week are eligible beginning on the first of the month following 90 days of employment.
Summary of Benefits and Coverages
In addition to the Short-Term Disability provided by Cheshire County, you also have the option to purchase Long-Term Disability.
To help you during critical times of need, through Lincoln Financial Group, Cheshire County provides optional Long-Term Disability insurance to all regular part-time and full-time employees who work 30+ hours per week. New employees become eligible on the first of the month following 3 months of employment.
Below is a table outlining the benefits coverage:
Carrier Contact Information
Lincoln Financial Group: Long-Term Disability Insurance
Customer Service: 877-275-5462
Website: www.lfg.com
Forms & Plan Documents
Employee Assistance Program
Eligibility
All employees and their family members are eligible upon hire.
Program Details
Cheshire County has partnered with Invest EAP to offer all Cheshire County employees and their immediate family members various well-being and support services.
Invest EAP has designed this support to be flexible and responsive to the needs we have seen working across many industries and in many communities. Employees can expect comprehensive, confidential care. Below, are some of the service you can expect:
- Help with Work-Life Balance
- Parenting issues
- Addiction and Recovery support
- Financial and Retirement Goals
- Mental Health and more
To contact InvestEAP, call 866-660-9533 or log into your Invest EAP account.
www.investeap.org
Password: cheshire
403(b) Retirement Plan
Eligibility
Cheshire County, through the New Hampshire Retirement System, offers all Full-Time employees working 35 hours or more per week the opportunity to participate in the NHRS Lifetime Pension Plan.
Employees who have completed 10 years of service or have reached their normal retirement age while in service are vested and eligible to receive benefits upon retirement.
New Hampshire Retirement System
The New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS, the retirement system) is a defined benefit plan. That means the plan provides lifetime pension benefits that are determined at retirement under a formula prescribed by law, not based on investment returns or contributions. NHRS benefits are funded by member contributions, employer contributions, and net investment returns.
Group I Retirement Benefits
Service Retirement
Group I members can receive a benefit at the age of 65 regardless of their years of Creditable Service.
Benefit formula
Member’s Average Financial Compensation (AFC) divided by 66 then multiplied by Creditable Service. (example: AFC of $30,000 ÷ 66 = $455; $455 x 30 years of service = $13,636)
Early Retirement
Members with at least 30 years of Creditable Service may retire between the ages of 60-64.
Group II Retirement Benefits
Service Retirement
Group II members are eligible to retire at age 52.5 with 25 years of Group II Creditable Service or at age 60 regardless of their years of Creditable Service.
Benefit formula
Member’s Average Financial Compensation AFC multiplied by 2% then multiplied by Creditable Service. (example: AFC of $40,000 x .02 = $800; $800 x 25 years of service = $20,000)
Employee Contributions
Group I – 7%
Group II – 11.55%
Early Retirement
Members with at least 25 years of Creditable Service may retire between the ages of 50-52.5.
Important:
Early Retirement results in a permanently reduced pension. The reduction factor is 1/4% per month for each month prior to Service Retirement Age that the member receives a pension benefit.
Members become vested for retirement benefits upon the earlier of: (1) completion of 10 years of NHRS Creditable Service; or (2) on or after attainment of the NHRS normal retirement age while in service, regardless of years of Creditable Service
Go to: www.nhrs.org or view the attached summaries for more details.
EAP Contact Information
New Hampshire Retirement System
Participant Services: 877-600-0158
Website: www.nhrs.org
Documents & Summaries
457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
Eligibility
On Staff Employees are eligible to contribute to a pre-tax, 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan.
What is a 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan? And, how does it work?
457(b) plans are tax-advantaged, deferred compensation retirement plans offered by state governments, local governments, and some nonprofit employers. They are similar to the traditional 401(k) and 403(b) in that they are tax-advantaged and provide investment options, eligible to accumulate pre-tax earnings. However, some aspects, such as catch-up contributions early withdrawals and hardship distributions may be administered differently, as the plan is not governed by ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act). Eligible participants are able to make salary deferral contributions, depositing pre-tax money that is allowed to compound without being taxed until it is withdrawn.
With a 457(b) funds are put into a retirement account where they can grow without being taxed.
In 2025, you can contribute up to 100% of their income up to $23,500 per year. If you are over the age of 50, you may contribute an additional “catch-up” amount of $7,500.
For more details and to see how your money can grow, see the attached summary and “Contributions Add Up” flyer.
EAP Contact Information
Documents & Summaries
Aflac Voluntary Benefits
Eligibility
On Staff Employees are eligible to purchase supplemental coverages through Aflac.
How can Aflac help me?
Aflac will make cash payments directly to you, to be used however you choose, in the event that you have a qualifying claim. You can choose:
- Accident Coverage – Supplemental Accident Insurance that helps with what your health insurance plan might not cover.
- Critical Illness Coverage – Critical Illness insurance helps with the treatment costs of life-changing illnesses and health events, like a stroke or heart attack.
- Hospital Protection – Hospital Insurance helps with the expenses not covered by major medical.
- Cancer Indemnity – Cancer Insurance is here to help you and your family better cope financially—and emotionally—if a positive diagnosis of cancer ever occurs.
- Vision Coverage – Aflac Vision Plan is designed so individuals and their families can be more proactive about caring for their vision.
How do I enroll?
To enroll or make changes for the upcoming year, contact your local agent by December 15th, 2024.
Vanessa Long
Phone: (937) 681-0354
email: vanessa_long@us.aflac.com
EAP Contact Information
Documents & Summaries
Pet Insurance
How can pet insurance help me?
• Every six seconds, a pet owner is faced with a vet bill of over $1,000. For most, that’s a hard financial burden.
• Having a pet insurance plan helps owners afford vet care when their furry friend is sick or gets into an accident.
• Pet insurance can help owners make the decision between the life of their pet vs financial euthanasia.
• When deciding whether or not you need insurance, consider the cost of treatments without pet insurance.
What makes Pin Paws Pet Care different from other pet insurance companies?
• Coverage for cats and dogs of all ages and breeds
• No initial exam/past vet notes required
• Accident coverage starts at midnight
• Customizable deductible and out-of-pocket max
• Annual max payouts as opposed to per incident
• Choose your reimbursement percentage
• Multiple value-added benefits included
• Routine care options available with customized plans
• Available in all 50 states
How do I enroll?
Enrollment is available at any time (not limited to Open Enrollment window or
new hire eligibility).
To enroll, visit: PinPaws.com/ccnhpets, and follow the steps for enrollment.
Depending on your dog or cat, and which plan you choose, your monthly premium will vary. You will need to pay with a personal credit card to sign up.
EAP Contact Information
Documents & Summaries
Complimentary Tuition Reimbursement, Flu Shots & Income Advance Loans
Complimentary Medicine Benefit
Cheshire County also offers employees, active in the medical plan, reimbursement of up to $350 per year for Complimentary Medicine. This benefit can be used for:
- Acupuncture
- Biofeedback
- Message Therapy
- Nutrition
- Therapeutic Touch & Healing Touch
- Homeopathy
- Naturopathy
- Oriental Medicine
- Reikki
Each visit will be reimbursed, less a $20 copay.
Tuition Reimbursement
Cheshire County provides tuition reimbursement benefits to qualified on staff employees for up to $2,700 per calendar year. The tuition reimbursement is to recognize that educational development is important and should be encouraged.
Flu Shots
Flu shots are provided yearly to all employees at no cost to the employee.
Income Advance Loans
As a way to help employees manage unexpected expenses, Cheshire County, in partnership with Mascoma Bank, offers employees Income Advance Loans. There is no interest charge and a one-time $75 processing fee.
For more details see the attached Mascoma Bank Advance Loans document or contact Kim May at kmay@co.cheshire.nh.us
SmartConnect- Medicare Resource
The Richards Group has partnered with SmartConnect™, an exclusive, no-cost program created specifically to connect Medicare-eligible working adults to the world of Medicare benefits. Whether an employee plans to continue working or is transitioning to retirement, we tailor solutions designed around their needs. Our agents provide an unfiltered view of the entire range of options and prices available to the employee.
SmartConnect Contact Information
For more information or to get started, please click on the following link: https://gps.smartmatch.com/
Additional Information
My Tuition Assistance Benefits
Our tuition assistance program is designed to help employees pay back student loan debt and improve their financial well-being.
Utilizing the relationship with The Richards Group, consultation services provided through GradFin are provided free of charge. GradFin is a new employee benefits program revolutionizing how employees can reduce their student loan debt.
GradFin will provide:
- One-on-one education consultations with GradFin Consultation Experts to review your current loan status and discuss personalized payoff options to save on your loans.
- GradFin will offer a competitive interest rate reduction when you refinance your loans.
- GradFin will offer the lowest interest rates in the industry through their lending platform which is made up of ten lenders to maximize the chances that you will be approved for a new loan.
- For more information or to schedule a one-on-one consultation visit: http://www.gradfin.com/platform/trg
Phone: (844) GRADFIN
Website: http://www.gradfin.com/platform/trg
The Wellness Outlet
We offer our employees discounts through the Wellness Outlet!
Enter account code RICHARDSGRP at The Wellness Outlet for access to discounts of 18-40% off retail price of fitness trackers from Fitbit and Garmin, plus free shipping to your home.
Website: https://www.thewellnessoutlet.com/