HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Employees Benefit Trust Fund (PEBTF) has announced significant enhancements to its benefits plan for employees and their eligible dependents. These changes, effective August 1, 2024, will offer more comprehensive coverage at no additional cost.
Starting in August, employees will be able to enroll in family health benefits—including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and hearing aid benefits—after just 30 days of employment, down from the current 90 days. Medical coverage will remain available from the date of hire.
Neil Weaver, Chairman of the Board and Commonwealth Secretary of Administration, stated, “The Board is pleased to offer this benefit change to align with Governor Josh Shapiro’s executive order. The HIRE Committee aims to build a more competitive Commonwealth workforce.”
In addition to the earlier access to family health benefits, inpatient hospice care will also be covered under the medical benefit starting in August. The dental plan, provided by United Concordia, will expand its network to include an additional 1,022 dentists in Pennsylvania through their Elite Plus networks.
“These enhancements are crucial for our mission to provide union members with affordable, quality health and welfare benefits,” said Mike Sukal, Secretary of the Board and Administrator of AFSCME Council 13. “Good union jobs help us hire and retain a skilled workforce to deliver the critical services Pennsylvanians deserve.”
Further enhancements to dental and vision benefits will take effect on January 1, 2025. Dental benefits will see several improvements: the annual plan maximum will increase from $1,500 to $2,000, preventive and diagnostic services will be excluded from the annual maximum, the orthodontic lifetime maximum will rise from $1,750 to $2,250, and dental implant coverage will be added at 60% of the plan allowance.
Vision benefits will also improve, with the eyeglass frames allowance increasing from $150 to $175. Additionally, coverage for transition lenses will be added, offering a reimbursement of $65 for single vision and $70 for bifocal or trifocal lenses.
These updates reflect PEBTF’s commitment to enhancing employee benefits and supporting a robust, competitive workforce in Pennsylvania.
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