Insurance & Benefits

 

 

Based on Articles 15–18 and related Appendices of the 2024–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement

 

 

 

 

Medical Insurance

 

 

 

 

 

Q: When do I become eligible for medical insurance?

 

 

Answer:

 

• Full-time employees become eligible after 90 days of employment.

• Part-time employees become eligible after 6 months of employment.

 

 

Full-time employees are enrolled in the HMO plan unless grandfathered into the PPO plan prior to March 16, 2004.

 

 

 

 

Q: Can Pace change insurance carriers?

 

 

Answer:

 

Yes. Pace may change carriers provided coverage remains substantially the same as outlined in the Agreement.

 

Refer to Article 15 for full language.

 

 

 

 

HMO Coverage Overview

 

 

 

 

 

Q: What are the current HMO co-pays?

 

 

Answer:

 

Office Visit: $30

 

Retail Prescriptions (30-day supply):

 

• $15 Generic

• $30 Formulary

• $50 Brand

 

 

Mail Order (90-day supply):

 

• $20 Generic

• $40 Formulary

• $70 Brand

 

 

Refer to Article 15 for complete coverage details.

 

 

 

 

Q: Are payroll deductions scheduled to increase?

 

 

Answer:

 

Yes.

 

Single Coverage:

 

• $65 → $75 (2026) → $85 (2028)

 

 

Family Coverage:

 

• $120 → $130 (2026) → $140 (2028)

 

 

Hospital plan payroll deductions also increase in 2026 and 2028.

 

Refer to Article 15 for full schedule.

 

 

 

 

PPO Plan (Grandfathered Employees)

 

 

 

 

 

Q: What are key PPO plan features?

 

 

Answer:

 

• $200 / $400 in-network deductible

• $30 office copay

• $50 emergency room copay (non-emergency)

• $1,200 single / $2,400 family maximum out-of-pocket

• 90% in-network coverage

• 70% out-of-network coverage

• Unlimited lifetime medical maximum

 

 

Refer to Appendix B for complete details.

 

 

 

 

Prescription Drug Protection (Side Letter)

 

 

 

 

 

Q: What if my doctor requires a brand-name drug instead of a generic?

 

 

Answer:

 

If a generic is available but your physician certifies medical necessity for a brand-name drug:

 

You pay the brand-name co-pay only.

You do not pay the price difference between brand and generic.

 

Refer to the Prescription Drug Side Letter.

 

 

 

 

Dental Coverage

 

 

 

 

 

Q: What does the dental plan cover?

 

 

Answer:

 

• $2,000 annual maximum

• $50 individual deductible / $150 family deductible

• Preventive: 100%

• Basic: 80%

• Major: 50%

• Orthodontics: $2,000 lifetime maximum

 

 

Family coverage premiums are partially paid by Pace.

 

Refer to Article 15 for details.

 

 

 

 

Vision Coverage

 

 

 

 

 

Q: What does the vision plan include?

 

 

Answer:

 

• $10 exam copay

• $0 copay for frames (20% off balance over allowance)

• $25 copay for standard lenses

• Contact lenses covered subject to allowance limits

• Coverage available every 12 months

 

 

Refer to Article 15 for full details.

 

 

 

 

Disability Benefits

 

 

 

 

 

Q: What if I am out due to long-term illness or injury?

 

 

Answer:

 

After 12 months of service:

 

• Short-term disability begins after 7 workdays.

• Benefit: $60 per day.

• Duration: Up to 182 days (26 weeks).

 

 

If unable to return after 26 weeks, employee may remain inactive without pay for an additional 26 weeks.

 

After 52 total weeks, employment may be terminated if unable to return.

 

Refer to Article 17.

 

 

 

 

Pension

 

 

 

 

 

Q: What type of pension plan is provided?

 

 

Answer:

 

The pension plan is a defined contribution plan.

 

Employer contribution:

 

• 4% of compensation

• Increases to 4.5% in 2027

 

 

Vesting occurs after 5 years of service.

 

Refer to Article 18.

 

 

 

 

Q: Can I take a loan from my pension?

 

 

Answer:

 

Yes, subject to plan rules:

 

• Minimum loan: $2,500

• Maximum loan: 50% of vested balance or $50,000 (whichever is less)

• Maximum term: 5 years

• No more than two loans outstanding at one time

 

 

Refer to Article 18.

 

 

 

 

Life & Other Coverage

 

 

 

 

 

Q: What life insurance coverage is provided?

 

 

Answer:

 

Full-Time Employees:

 

• $25,000 basic life insurance

• $25,000 accidental death

• $5,000 dependent coverage

 

 

Part-Time Employees:

 

• Half of full-time coverage

• No dependent coverage

 

 

 

 

 

Q: Is there assault coverage?

 

 

Answer:

 

Yes. Full-time employees are covered under a $100,000 felonious assault insurance policy.

 

Refer to Article 15.

 

 

 

 

Important Notes

 

 

• Insurance deductions are scheduled to increase during the contract term.

• Coverage details may change if carriers are substituted with substantially similar coverage.

• Always verify plan documents for detailed coverage terms.

 

 

Refer to Articles 15–18 and applicable Appendices for full language.¥¥