Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
for IHSS Homecare Workers in Alameda County
Call our hotline at 510-777-4201 for more information and to request an enrollment packet.
“Homecare workers provide the quality care that help elderly or people with disabilities live independently…”
If you recently became an IHSS worker, you may qualify for medical benefits.
Although you may not be eligible now, you can still enroll. Once you meet the eligibility requirements, we'll contact you!
1ST STEP - ENROLL!
Your enrollment is not automatic. You must fill out an enrollment application to be considered for coverage. We won't know you're interested in the plan until you enroll.
HOW DO I ENROLL?
Contact the Public Authority at 510-577-4201 and we'll send you an application.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER ENROLLING
After you fill out an enrollment application, it may take up to (60) days for your coverage to begin. once you are covered, we will send a confirmation letter with your efective date. Shortly after, the medical, dental, and vision carriers will send your ID cards and coverage information.
IS THERE A DEADLINE FOR ENROLLING?
Yes. our cut-off for accepting applications is the 10th of every month. If we receive your application after the 10th, we'll process it, BUT we'll wait until the NEXT month to begin a review of your eligibility.
Need Health Benefits??
MAINTAIN GOOD HEALTH - APPLY FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL AND VISION BENEFITS
The benefits cover your everyday – even if you don’t use them, and in an emergency – when you need them most.
If you recently became an IHSS worker, you may qualify for medical benefits. Even if you are not eligible now, you can still enroll. Once you meet the eligibility requirements we’ll contact you.
Your enrollment is not automatic. You must fill out an enrollment application to be considered for coverage. We won’t know you’re interested in the plan until you enroll.
How Do I Enroll?
After you fill out the enrollment application, it may take up to (60) days for your coverage to begin. Once you are covered, we will send a confirmation letter with your effective date. Shortly after, the medical, dental, and vision carriers will send your ID card and coverage information.
Is There A Deadline For Enrolling?
Yes. Our accepting applications is the 10th of every month. If we receive your application after the 10th, we'll process it, BUT we’ll wait until the next month to begin a review of your eligibilty.
Am I Eligible for Benefits Coverage?
To be ELIGIBLE for initial coverage, you must be issued checks for a total of (160) paid hours for (2) consecutive months. (With a minimum of at least (1) hour in (1) of the two months.)
CONTINUING coverage:
As long as you are issued checks for a minimum of (80) paid hours each month, you will continue to be covered for an additional (3) months.
Your check issue date (at the top of your paycheck stub) will be used to determine the month in which month your paid hours will be credited. It must show in the State’s payroll data base in order for you to get credit for those hours. For example: if your check issue date is September 15, you’ll be credited in the month of September for those paid hours.
Advance Pay Workers
Advance pay workers are also eligible. But unlike arrears workers, advance pay workers will be credited based on work hours and not based on check issue date.
For example: if you worked in April & submitted your timesheets at the end of the month (or shortly after), your hours will be retro-credited back to April.
Please remember: you must submit your timesheet at the end of every month to get paid for hours worked. If you hold timesheets, you may lose your eligibility.
What If I Receive Checks For Less Than (80) Hours A Month?
It’s okay…there’s a GRACE PERIOD. Even if you Stop working, you’ll continue to be covered for (3) months after you stop working. For example: if you stopped working in March, you would still be covered under the Group Care through the last day of May.
Timesheets
Payroll problems may affect your health benefits coverage. If your hours aren’t recorded in the Alameda County database correctly, we can’t cover you. REMEMBER: Don’t hold your timesheets! Turn in timesheets regularly – as soon as the pay period ends – or you may lose your eligibility.
HERE ARE SOME OF
THE HEALTH BENFITS
YOU’LL GET…
Medical
You’ll be covered under the Alameda Alliance Group Care (HMO)
Some Examples of Benefits and Co-Pays:
- A primary care provider and preventative care: $10 CO-PAY FOR OFFICE VISITS
- Preventative health services: NO CO-PAY
- Inpatient care: $100 PER ADMISSION
- Family planning: NO CO-PAY
- Prescription drugs: $10 CO-PAY FOR GENERIC DRUGS OR $15 CO-PAY FOR BRAND NAME DRUGS
- Emergency care: $35 CO-PAY FOR, BUT WAIVED IF ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL
- Specialty care: $10 CO-PAY FOR OUTPATIENT/OFFICE VISITS/PHYSICIAN SERVICES
- Mental health services: $10 CO-PAY FOR OUTPATIENT SERVICES. $100 CO-PAY FOR IN-PATIENT SERVICES
Dental Benefits:
Two plans to choose from:
- HMO-style plan
- PPO-style plan
Vision:
- Includes regular eye exams, prescription eyewear lenses and frames
- It’s easy to use: no cards, no claim forms, no hassles!
- No application is needed. You’re automatically enrolled when you sign up for the
- Medical and dental plan
$45 per month for medical, PPO dental plan and vison
Who’s Covered?
Premiums cover workers only. No dependents or spouses.
Premium Deductions
Premiums for either plan will be automatically deducted from your paycheck by the State of CA.
Advance Pay Workers' Deductions
Since you don't get a check from the State of CA, you will receive an invoice for your premiums. You are responsible to pay the invoice in full by the first of every month. If your payment is received after the 1st, you'll be terminated from the plan for non-payment.
Co-Pays
You'll pay an additional amount at your doctor's office when you receive certain health, dental, and vision services.