HEALTH BENEFITS & INSURANCE
This section provides an overview of the health benefits and insurance options available to City of Boston employees.
Non-Medicare Health Insurance Plans
We offer three non-Medicare health insurance plans for City of Boston employees (excluding seasonal and emergency hires) who work at least 20 or more hours a week on a regular basis.
If you are eligible, you may also cover family including children (until age 26), grandchildren (as defined under Massachusetts state law), disabled children over age 25, and a spouse or ex-spouse.
MASS GENERAL BRIGHAM VALUE HMO
The Mass General Brigham Value HMO Plan offers access to the Mass General Brigham Value network of high-quality, lower-cost doctors and hospitals. You must designate a primary care physician (PCP) under this plan. To receive services from other in-network physicians or specialists, your PCP must provide you with a referral.
Plan highlights include:
You must visit Mass Brigham Value HMO network participating providers to be covered, except in an emergency.
Doctor office visits are 100% covered after you pay a $20 copay.
Specialist office visits are 100% covered after you pay a $30 copay.
Hospital care and advanced imaging are 100% covered after you pay a $50 copay.
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD STANDARD HMO (NETWORK BLUE NEW ENGLAND)
The BCBS Standard HMO Plan offers access to the regional Network Blue New England HMO network of doctors and hospitals that charge lower fees for services provided to plan participants. You must designate a primary care physician (PCP) under this plan. To receive services from other in-network physicians or specialists, your PCP must provide you with a referral.
Plan highlights:
You must visit Network Blue New England participating providers to be covered, except in an emergency.
Doctor office visits are 100% covered after you pay a $20 copay.
Specialist office visits are 100% covered after you pay a $35 copay.
Hospital care and advanced imaging are 100% covered after you pay a $100 copay and meet your deductible.
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD CARE ELECT PREFERRED PPO
The BCBS PPO Plan gives you direct access to the nationwide Blue Cross Blue Shield network of doctors and hospitals that charge lower fees for services provided to plan participants. You can see any physician or specialist in the network at any time—no referrals are necessary. You also aren’t required to designate a primary care physician (PCP). The amount of costs covered by the plan depends on whether you receive care in-network or out-of-network.
Plan highlights:
Your cost is lowest when you receive care from BCBS PPO network providers.
In-network doctor office visits are 100% covered after you pay a $20 copay.
In-network specialist office visits are 100% covered after you pay a $35 copay.
In-network hospital care and advanced imaging are 100% covered after you pay a $100 copay and meet your deductible.
Review the non-Medicare Health Insurance Comparison Chart to help you choose which plan is best for you. Reach out to the Health Benefits & Insurance (HBI) team for additional information:
HEALTH BENEFITS & INSURANCE
1 City Hall Square, Room 807
Boston, MA 02201
Email: HBI@boston.gov | Phone: 617-635-4570
Fax: 617-635-3932
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Medicare (Retiree) Health Insurance Plans
As a retiree of the City of Boston, you are eligible to continue your health coverage. By law, all Medicare-eligible retirees, spouses, and dependents must apply for Medicare Parts A & B and switch to a Medicare plan to continue coverage. We offer six Medicare plans to supplement Medicare Parts A & B for our retirees. Visit the Benefits Available to Retirees page on Boston.gov for more information.
Dental And Vision
There are three ways City employees may access dental and vision coverage, including:
MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC EMPLOYEE FUND
If you qualify, you’ll get an enrollment form after six months of working for the City. You'll have the choice between an indemnity plan or a network plan. You'll also be able to sign up for individual benefits or a family plan.
For more information, visit the Massachusetts Public Employee Fund website at mpefund.org.
YOUR UNION
Other workers at the City can get dental and vision insurance through their unions. There are several unions that offer this benefit, including:
the Boston Teachers Union
the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association
the Boston Police Superior Officers Association
the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society, and
the Boston Firefighters Local 718 (dental only)
YOUR HEALTH PLAN
You could save money by getting your dental insurance through your healthcare provider. Make sure to go over your coverage summary to see what they have to offer.
Most healthcare plans will cover regular vision exams. Some plans offer discounts on eyeglasses and contact lenses at certain stores.
Life Insurance
You must enroll in basic life insurance if you wish to enroll in a City health insurance plan. The basic life insurance is a $5,000 group term policy. Some unions may be eligible to elect the $10,000 benefit. The cost for this benefit is shared 50/50 between the City and the employee.
If you enroll in basic life insurance and want additional coverage, you can also enroll in the optional life insurance policy for an amount up to your base salary (maximum amount is $74,000). The cost is based on the amount of coverage and your age and is 100 percent employee-paid.
Please be advised that these benefits are not administered by the Health Benefits Office.
