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What You Need to Know

  • Review Changes for 2026

How to Enroll

  • Enroll with a Benefit Counselor

Helpful Resources

  • View Your Benefit Guide & Important Documents

Benefit Options

  • View Your Health & Voluntary Benefits

What You Need to Know

Click on each of the topics below for details on other changes that are effective on January 1.

Enrollment Process ▼

Enroll with a Benefit Counselor!

This year we have again partnered with EOI Service Company, an enrollment firm, so you can enroll with the guidance of a professional benefit counselor. Professional benefit counselors will be available for telephonic and onsite appointments, at select locations, to conduct one-on-one meetings with employees.

Benefits counselors are available to help you enroll on site or by phone October 20 - 31, 2025.

Note: You do not need to make an appointment to meet with a counselor onsite. They will be available on a first come basis.

New Benefits▼

Exciting New Benefits from MetLife:

  • Pet Insurance – Protect your furry family members and give them the care they deserve.

  • Legal Plans – Get reliable legal assistance whenever you need it.

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How to Enroll

Enroll with a Benefit Counselor

This year we have again partnered with EOI Service Company, an enrollment firm, so you can enroll with the guidance of a professional benefit counselor. Professional benefit counselors
will be available for telephonic and onsite appointments, at select locations, to conduct one-on-one meetings with employees. Note: You do not need to make an appointment to meet with a counselor onsite. They will be available on a first come basis.

To schedule your confidential telephonic benefit appointment click the button below or call 800-229-3642 to secure your preferred date and time!

Schedule an Appointment

Self-Service Enrollment

Click here to view instruction on how to self-enroll though Paycor.

Helpful Resources

2026 Benefits Guide ▼

2026 Benefit Guide

 

Important Notices and Disclosures ▼

Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) Documents ▼

Coming Soon!

Your 2026 Benefits

We are pleased to offer a comprehensive benefits program, that offers you choice and flexibility, so you can take charge of your physical, financial, and emotional well-being. For detailed information about each of the benefits plans and programs available to you and your family, please click on the down arrow for each benefit listed below.

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Medical ▼

Administered by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Because there is nothing more important than your health, City of Elkhart offers three medical plans through BlueCross BlueShield.

  • Premier Blue Access PPO Plan
  • Healthwise Blue Access PPO Plan
  • Healthy Saver Blue Access PPO HSA Plan

Key Features

  • Comprehensive, affordable coverage for a wide range of healthcare services
  • Flexibility to see any provider you want, although you’ll save money when you stay in-network
  • In-network preventive care, with services covered at 100%, including annual physicals, recommended immunizations, well-woman and well-child exams, flu shots, and more
  • Prescription drug coverage included

View Plan Summary & Rates 

Stretching your healthcare dollar

As healthcare costs continue to rise, it is increasingly important that you take an active role in decisions about your health, the care you receive and your benefits.

Click Here for some tips to help get you the most for your money.

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Dental ▼

Administered by Paramount Dental

The City of Elkhart covers 50% of your Dental premiums to make dental coverage more affordable for everyone!

You can choose between 3 In-Network plans:

  • DHO 2 Core
  • DHO 3 Enhanced
  • DHO 4 Premiere

View Plan Summary & Rates 

Find a Provider

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Vision ▼

Administered by Eyemed with Eye360

Vision care plans provide coverage for the nonsurgical improvement of eyesight, including coverage for eyeglasses and contact lenses. Coverage typically is limited and is subject to applicable copayments or scheduled cash allowances.

Additional Benefits 
  • 40% off additional pairs of glasses and a 15% discount on conventional lenses once funded benefit is used - an industry exclusive.
  • 20% off any item not covered by the plan, including non-prescription sunglasses.
  • Lasik or PRK from US Laser Network 1 5% off retail price or 5% off promotional price.
  • Hearing Care: Amplifon Hearing Health Care Network-40% off hearing exams and a low price guarantee on discounted hearing aids.

View Plan Summary & Rates 

Find an Eye Doctor

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Flexible Spending Account (FSA) ▼

Administered by Medcom

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows you to pay for qualified Health Care and Dependent Care expenses using tax-free dollars. The amount you elect is deducted from your paycheck pre-tax. This means you don't pay Federal Income Tax or Social Security Taxes on that portion of your paycheck. The money that is deducted is then used to reimburse your eligible qualified expenses.

Learn More

Healthcare Flexible Spending Account: 
  • A Health Care FSA allows you to pay for unreimbursed health care expenses for you, your spouse and dependent children. You do not need to be on your employer sponsored health plan to sign up for an FSA. 
  • One of the biggest advantages of the Health Care FSA is that you can access your entire elected amount on the first day of the plan year. So, there's no need to wait until funds have been payroll deducted to use your FSA. 
  • As you plan your FSA expenses for the year, it is important that you make accurate and conservative estimates. 
  • Annual maximum you may contribute per calendar year is $3,400 in 2026. 
  • Elections can only be changed during open enrollment or a qualified event. 
Dependent Flexible Spending Account:
  • Dependent Care FSA allows you to pay for child or elder care expenses using tax-free dollars. These expenses must be incurred while you are employed and must be for the care of a qualified dependent. 
  • Unlike the Health Care FSA, Dependent Care FSA funds are not available to you on day one. These funds must accumulate before you can reimburse yourself, and you can only be reimbursed up to the amount you have in the account at any given time. Annual maximum you may contribute is $7,500 (or $3,750 if married and filing separately) per-calendar year. 
  • Dependent Care election amounts can be changed during the year as cost changes. 
Rollover 
  • Run Out Period - 90 days: Period of time after the plan year ends to submit claims for dates of services incurred within that plan year. 
  • Carryover - $680: In 2026, you will be allowed to carry over up to $680 of your unused funds to the following year. 
  • Run Out for Terminated Employees - 90 days after date of termination: Period of time after the date of benefit termination to submit claims for dates of services incurred prior to the benefit termination date. 

Learn More

Flex Debit Card

The Flex Debit Card allows you to pay for your healthcare needs on the spot at qualified locations without having to wait for a reimbursement check. The card can be used at hospitals, physician offices, dental offices, vision service providers and pharmacies. Copies of receipts for some expenses still need to be submitted.

  • Payment comes directly from your Health Care FSA account, which reduces your out-of-pocket expense
  • Limits the need to submit claim forms and wait for reimbursement
  • FSA plan year is January 1st through December 31st.
  • Any changes in election (other than January 1st) can only happen if there is a family status change (Marriage, Divorce, Birth or Death) In order for the employee's child's claims to be paid, the child must be dependent of the employee by IRS.

Medcom Mobile App

When it comes to your FSA, the Medcom Mobile app takes the guesswork out of your healthcare spending and saving decisions. It includes a personalized, real-time and self-guided experience that ensures you have access to not only powerful self-service capabilities such as viewing and managing benefit accounts, submitting claims, and accessing account alerts but also actionable insights that lead you down a path to better healthcare spending and saving behaviors.

The Medcom Mobile app combines health and wealth in one location, giving users personalized low-cost, high-quality healthcare options and making users smarter consumers of healthcare by guiding you to spend less now and save more for the future.

Learn More

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Disability ▼

Administered by Reliance Standard

Voluntary Short-Term Disability

Short-term disability (STD) plans provide a weekly benefit to eligible employees that are unable to work for an extended length of time. These benefits are for non-work-related illnesses or accidents on a per-disability basis, typically for a 6- to 12-month period. Benefits are paid as a percentage of employee earnings or as a flat dollar amount. STD benefits vary with the amount of pre-disability earnings, length of service with the establishment, or length of disability. This benefit is provided by The City of Elkhart at no cost to you. Employees covered by a bargaining unit are not eligible for this coverage.

Long-Term Disability

Voluntary Long-term disability (LTD) plans provide a monthly benefit to eligible employees who, because of a non-work-related illness or injury, are unable to work for an extended length of time. Benefits usually are paid as a fixed percentage of pre-disability earnings, up to a set limit. Most participants have a waiting period of 3- to 6-months, or until sick leave or STD benefits end, before LTD benefits begin. LTD benefits generally continue until retirement or a specified age, or for a period that varies with the employee’s age at the time of the disability.

Learn More

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Life and AD&D Insurance ▼

Administered by Reliance Standard

Basic Life and AD&D Insurance

Life insurance is a contract between an insurer and a policyholder. A life insurance policy guarantees the insurer pays a sum of money to named beneficiaries when the insured policyholder dies, in exchange for the premiums paid by the policyholder during their lifetime. The City of Elkhart provides and pays for Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance for all full-time employees. The beneficiary you designate will receive the Life Insurance benefit in the event the insured policyholder dies.

Voluntary Life Insurance

In addition to the base insurance plan offered by your employer, The City of Elkhart also offers you the opportunity to "buy-up" more insurance coverage. Please consider this option if you need more coverage for yourself or your dependents.

Learn More

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Hospital Indemnity Insurance ▼

Administered by Chubb

Most healthcare plans do not cover all the expenses when an individual becomes hospitalized. Chubb Accident & Health offers hospital indemnity insurance benefits designed to help defray the expenses associated with a hospital stay.

Key Features:

  • Guaranteed acceptance regardless of current state of health
  • Benefits are payable directly to the individual
  • Benefits can be used in any way an individual chooses – to cover additional costs like deductibles, co-pays or other out-of-pocket expenses, or to cover household or childcare expenses while hospitalized
  • Benefits are payable in addition to any other insurance that may apply

Learn More

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Accident ▼

Administered by Chubb

An accident insurance policy supplements your medical coverage and provides a cash benefit for injuries you or an insured family member sustain from a non work related accident. This benefit can be used to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses, help supplement your daily living expenses and cover unpaid time off work.

Learn More

 

 

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Critical Illness ▼

Administered by Chubb

Voluntary critical illness insurance provides cash benefits for defined illnesses or specified diseases to help cover out-of-pocket medical and other non-medical expenses. Insureds can use the lump sum benefit payment for any purpose they choose: paying off deductibles, child care, transportation costs for themselves or family members, loss of income or any other financial need.

Critical Illness Insurance Coverage Highlights

  • Benefits included in the policy are cancer, coronary artery bypass, heart attack, kidney failure, major organ transplant, paralysis, and stroke.
  • Optional benefits available:
    • Second Occurrence benefit – if an insured is diagnosed with a critical illness, Chubb Accident & Health will pay for a second occurrence of the same illness.
    • Recurrence benefit – if an insured is diagnosed with a critical illness, Chubb Accident & Health will pay for an additional critical illness.

Learn More

 

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Cancer Advocate Plus ▼

Administered by Chubb

Chubb introduces the first of its kind omics based insurance designed to help save lives. Cancer Advocate Plus is a personal, precise, and proactive way for employees to manage their health. Cancer Advocate Plus combines Financial Protection and Cancer Care and includes Genetic Cancer Screening to help employees determine their risk for cancer and Pharmacogenomic Testing to determine their best treatment based on their own DNA.

In addition to testing and treatment, Cancer Advocate Plus provides a dedicated Oncology Nurse Advocate to coordinate Clinical Trial Enrollment, Expert Medical Review and so much more including financial protection.

Learn More

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Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) ▼

Administered by New Avenues, Inc.

City of Elkhart offers eligible employees and their dependent family members an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with New Avenues, Inc. The EAP is an early intervention benefit program offering a variety of support and resources to help motivate employees to pro-actively deal with personal concerns, before they potentially could affect home and work performance. All services are strictly confidential and at no cost to the employee or family members.

How can an EAP help me?

  • Emotional
  • Marital/Relationship
  • Family/Parenting
  • Stress
  • Workplace Concerns
  • Alcohol/Substance Use
  • Grief/Loss, Change
  • Caregiving/Elder Care
  • Financial Challenges
  • ANY concerns that you might find troublesome!
Learn More
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Pet Insurance - New!▼

Administered by MetLife

Help protect your pet from costly vet bills

More than ever, pets play such a huge role in our lives. We want to do everything to keep them safe and healthy. Help make sure your furry family members are protected against unplanned vet expenses for covered accidents or illnesses with MetLife Pet Insurance.

Visits to the vet can be unpredictable. According to 2022 Pet Parent Pulse Poll Findings, most pet parents are facing rising care costs to keep their pets happy and healthy, with 54% of owners worried about being able to care for their pets in the future with economic uncertainties.

A small monthly payment can help you prepare for those unexpected vet expenses down the road.

Learn More
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Legal Plans - New! ▼

Administered by MetLife Legal Plans

Your legal plan benefit is like having a trusted attorney in your pocket or on retainer. The attorney will advocate for your best interests and help you navigate legal issues. This may sound like a luxury, but it doesn’t have to be! Our coverage provides access to a network of qualified and experienced attorneys nationwide.

Plan benefits include:

  • A cost-effective plan providing access to more than 18,000+ experienced network attorneys.
  • Unlimited use of network attorneys for covered issues.
  • Assistance for a wide range of legal needs, including money matters, home and real estate, family and personal matters, civil lawsuits, elder care issues, and vehicles and driving.
  • Online digital estate planning tool—create wills and trusts, healthcare proxies, and power of attorney documents from the comfort of home.

Learn More

 

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Carrier Contact ▼

Click Here for contact information

Don't Miss Out

This annual enrollment period is the only opportunity to enroll in benefits until the next open enrollment period unless you experience a qualifying life event and request a change to your benefits within 30 days of the life event.