Health and dental insurance
Health and Dental Benefits are provided by the State of SC. The plan is administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
The state health plan
is a comprehensive plan, which is offered to all full-time employees and/or dependents. The plan offers maximum protection from catastrophic illness or injury worldwide, plus the freedom to choose which doctors and hospitals to use.
health maintenance organizations (HMO)
an optional health program offered to employees who opt not to participate in the State Health Plan. Unlike the State Health Plan, an HMO participant's care is coordinated and / or approved by a primary care physician. Without this type of coordination the participant can't receive benefits. CIGNA HMO and Bluechoice HMO are available to GCSD full-time employees.
dental
The State Dental Plan
is available to all full-time employees at no charge. If an employee chooses to cover their eligible dependents then a small monthly premium will be charged. The plan covers preventive, basic, routine and orthodontic care.
Dental Plus
provides a higher level of dental coverage and covers the same services under the State Dental Plan. The premiums are paid entirely by the employee.
vision
The Vision Care Program
The Vision Care Program offers discounted vision care services to employees and their dependents. Participating optometrists and ophthalmologists have agreed to charge no more than $60 for a routine, comprehensive eye examination. Participating providers, which also include opticians, have agreed to give a 20 percent discount on all eyewear (except disposable contact lenses).
The Vision Care Plan
The Vision Care Plan is optional and the cost varies based on the plan election. Participants who visit a participating provider will pay $10 for an eye exam and will receive up to $140 for frames and $130 for contact lenses.