Employee Health Benefits

Health Plan Options

You have a choice of three health insurance options

• Premier Preferred Provider Organization

• Standard Preferred Provider Organization

• Consumer-driven Health Plan/Health Savings Account

You also have a choice of four insurance carrier networks:

• BlueCross BlueShield Network S

• BlueCross BlueShield Network P

• Cigna LocalPlus Network

• Cigna Open Access Plus Network

The state pays about 80% of the medical insurance monthly premium for state employees and dependents. This covers medical, behavioral health and pharmacy services.  

Click here for more information about medical coverage.

Click here for health insurance premiums.

HSA/FSA

Flexible spending accounts help you decrease your taxable income and increase your take-home pay. They allow you to pay certain expenses (such as health care and dependent care) from your pre-tax income rather than after-tax income. The maximum amount you can contribute to an FSA is set by the Internal Revenue Service. The limits are subject to change yearly. Optum Financial administers all of the FSAs.

Full-time, insurance-eligible employees (excludes offline agencies) can enroll in the following FSAs:

Medical FSA:

For medical, dental and vision expenses (Annual limit: $3,050/Carryover limit: $610). If you enroll in the CDHP/HSA, you do not qualify for a medical FSA.

Limited Purpose FSA:

For dental and vision expenses only (Annual limit: $3,050/Carryover limit $610). If you have the CDHP/HSA, the Limited Purpose FSA is a great way to save on vision and dental expenses.

Dependent Care FSA:

For certain dependent-care costs, such as after school care, baby-sitting fees or adult day care expenses to enable you or your spouse to work, look for work or attend school full time (Annual limit $5,000, up to $2,500 per spouse for married couples filing separately/No carryover amount).

Click here for more information about Flexible Benefits.

Dental Insurance

Two different dental plans are offered. In 2024, the state will pay one-half of dental coverage premiums for all coverage tiers for active employees.  For those enrolled as of January 1, 2024, this premium funding change will occur automatically in Edison.  Both dental options have specific rules for benefits such as exams and major procedures and have a four-tier premium structure just like health insurance.

Dental Insurance Options:

• Cigna Dental Health Maintenance Organization (Prepaid)
• Delta Dental, Dental PPO

You do not have to be enrolled in health coverage to be eligible for dental insurance.

Click here for Dental insurance premiums.

Click here for more information about medical coverage.

Vision Insurance

Voluntary vision coverage is available to state and higher education employees and dependents. Two options are available: a basic and an expanded plan. Both offer:

• 
  Routine eye exam once every calendar year
• 
  Frames once every two calendar years
• 
  Choice of eyeglasses or contact lenses once every calendar year
• 
  Discount on LASIK/Refractive surgery
• 
  Discount on hearing aids (includes Free Hearing Exam) through Your Hearing Network

The basic and expanded plans are both administered by EyeMed.  Click here for more information about vision coverage.

Disability Insurance

The state offers voluntary disability benefits to full-time state and higher education employees.  The State Group Insurance Program long term disability and short term disability insurance plans are both managed by MetLife.

Please call the MetLife State of Tennessee Dedicated Customer Service Line with questions: 855.700.8001, Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Central time.

Click here for more information about Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.

Life Insurance

Basic Group Term Life and AD&D Insurance

Effective January 1, 2024, the state provides to eligible employees, at no cost to you, basic term life/basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance for employee-only coverage.  This change will automatically occur in Edison.  NOTE: Beginning January 1, 2024, dependents will NOT be covered under basic term life/basic ADD, even if they were previously covered under the basic  plan.

Employees can buy additional voluntary term life insurance, and also voluntary accidental death and dismemberment insurance for themselves, their spouse and their children.  Employees would pay the full premium.

Basic term life:  In 2024, designated beneficiaries will receive 1X the employee's base annual salary rounded to the next highest thousand ($50K minimum/$250K maximum, except when reduced at age milestones).

Basic accidental death and dismemberment:  In 2024, employee coverage will be 1X the basic term life insurance coverage.

The basic term life/basic AD&D coverage amounts decrease at ages 65 and over.

Voluntary AD&D

You and your dependents (spouse and children) may enroll in this coverage at low group rates, no questions asked. It is in addition to the basic AD&D coverage and you must pay a premium.

Voluntary Term Life Insurance

You and your dependents may enroll in this coverage whether or not you enroll in health coverage.  

NOTE: Beginning January 1, 2024, dependents will NOT be covered under basic term life/basic ADD, even if they were previously covered under the basic  plan.  To enroll in additional life insurance for you and your dependents, you would need to enroll in the voluntary life insurance.

Click here to learn more about life insurance benefits.

EAP

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides consultation, self-help resources and referral for employees and their eligible family members who are experiencing personal problems which are likely to impact work performance and/or personal well-being. Examples of problems that may be addressed include substance abuse, family or marital problems, workplace stress, or chronic illness.

But your EAP offers more than counseling including referral services for child care, elder care, home repair services and more. Visit the Here4TN website today to see everything this program has to offer.