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Review this page to learn more about your 2025 benefits. Remember, now that Annual Enrollment has ended, you can't change your benefit elections unless you experience a qualifying life event.
What's Changing
As part of our strategy to provide comprehensive, competitive, and sustainable benefits, we regularly examine our benefits program and consider changes that could better support you and your family across the entire spectrum of well-being. Here are the changes we'll introduce in 2025:
Changes to Medical Rates
As health care costs continue to rise, so does the cost of providing quality health benefits—and SPARC is absorbing the majority of the increase. SPARC aims to provide financially responsible benefits and to keep costs lower than the average for our industry. Even with this investment, we still have to increase some rates you pay for our medical plans.
Medical plan rates for 2025 can be found here.
Controlling healthcare costs is a partnership between you and SPARC. Please invest in your health and participate in programs we offer to improve your health and reduce costs. We appreciate your efforts to maintain your health through preventive care visits and by acting as smart healthcare consumers.
New Medical Plan Network Option for NH, MO, and FL Employees
For the Essential CDHP, Standard PPO, and Premium PPO, if you reside in Florida, New Hampshire, and Missouri, you will have a Select Network of providers for in-network medical services. The Anthem Select Network is built around primary care managers and independent practice associates (PMGs/IPAs) that have demonstrated the most efficient practice patterns and hospital referrals.
Most current providers available to you today will still be available in the Select Network. If you have any questions or concerns on if your provider is in or out of the Select Network, go to anthem.com or open the Sydney Health App. You will be receiving new ID cards for 2025.
Premium PPO Plan Changes
SPARC contributes to a large portion of your healthcare costs, but as those costs continue to rise throughout the country, we have to keep our plans sustainable. To ensure that we continue to offer competitive benefits with affordable premiums, we are making some slight changes to the Premium PPO medical plan design:
- The out-of-network deductible is increasing to $1,500 (individual) / $3,000 (family) (previously was $1,200/$2,400).
- The out-of-network out-of-pocket maximum is increasing to $7,000 (individual) / $14,000 (family) (previously was $6,000/$12,000).
- The in-network primary care visit copay is increasing slightly to $30 (previously was $25).
- The emergency room copay is increasing to $300 (previously was $250).
Kaiser Medical Plan Change
We want to continue to offer the Kaiser medical plan option and have had to make some adjustments to do so. You’ll see the following changes to the Kaiser medical plan for the new year:
- We are introducing a deductible of $500 (individual) / $1,000 (family) (previously there was no deductible).
- The out-of-pocket maximum will decrease to $2,500 (individual) / $5,000 (family) (previously was $3,000/$6,000).
- The primary care visit copay is decreasing to $20 (previously was $30).
- The specialist visit copay is decreasing to $30 (previously was $50)
- The emergency room visit copay of $200 will remain the same, but will apply only after you meet the deductible.
- Prescription costs will also be changing in 2025:
- The annual deductible will accrue to the medical plan deductible.
- Generic Rx:
- The copay for retail will decrease to $10 (previously was $15).
- The copay for mail order (for a 100-day supply) will decrease to $20 (previously was $30).
- Preferred & Non-Preferred Brands Rx:
- The copay for retail will decrease to $30 (previously was $35).
- The copay for mail order (for a 100-day supply) will decrease to $60 (previously was $70).
- Specialty Rx:
- The coinsurance will remain at 20%, but it can’t exceed $250 (previously couldn’t exceed $100) for up to a 30-day supply.
Higher Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Limit
The maximum contribution amount for a Health Savings Account will increase to $4,300 for individuals and $8,550 for families in 2025.
The maximum contribution amount for a Health Care or Limited Purpose FSA is $3,300 for 2025.
Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) Changes
There will be some changes to the Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for 2025. The plan continues to be funded by SPARC when you enroll in the Standard PPO.
- Funding is based on salary level and to sustain the plan, if you earn $120,000 or more per year, we will no longer fund the HRA. Funding will remain the same for employees earning less than $120,000. View current funding levels on the HRA page.
- We are also making an administrative change to the Account. In 2025, the auto-pay feature will no longer be available. If you have a claim and would like to pay it from your HRA, you’ll need to visit HealthEquity to do so. You’ll have the freedom to choose whether to use the funds or save them for the future. Remember, any unused HRA funds can be rolled over for one year and used in the following year.
| Salary | Update |
|---|---|
| If you earn less than $120,000 per year | SPARC funding will remain the same |
| If you earn $120,000 or more per year | SPARC will no longer fund the HRA |
Dental Plan Changes
There will be slight changes to the out-of-network deductible, annual maximum, and other features of the Delta Dental PPO plan for 2025 to encourage usage of in-network dentists, which can save you money. Premiums for the Dental PPO will increase slightly $0.22-$0.74 per bi-weekly pay period. Premiums for the Dental DHMO will increase slightly $0.15-$0.42 per bi-weekly pay period.
We’re making the following improvements to in-network coverage levels:
- Annual maximum increasing to $1,750 (previously $1,500).
- Endodontics, Periodontics, and Oral Surgery increasing to 60% coverage (previously 50%).
- Orthodontia lifetime maximum increasing to $1,750 (previously $1,500).
We’re making the following changes to the out-of-network coverage levels:
- Annual maximum decreasing to $1,250 (previously $1,500).
- Diagnostic and Preventive will decrease to 80% (previously 100%).
- Basic services will decrease to 50% (previously 80%).
- Endodontics, Periodontics, and Oral Surgery increasing to 60% coverage (previously 50%).
- Major, Dentures, and Bridges will decrease to 40% (previously 50%).
- Orthodontia lifetime maximum decreasing to $1,250 (previously $1,500).
There are no changes to the Dental HMO.
New Vision Plan Enhancement
For 2025, the Enhanced Plan will now offer a $250 contact allowance (previously $200). Premiums for the Enhanced Plan will increase slightly by $0.47-$1.29 per bi-weekly pay period based on the coverage tier. Premiums for the Core Plan remain the same.
Decision Support
Understanding your benefits is important. The following support resources will help you understand your options and select the ones that provide the right coverage and value for you and your family.
- 2025 Benefits Presentation – Learn about what’s changing for 2025 by reviewing the presentation or watch the recording (password: KDT!8=p=).
- 2025 Contribution Rates – View your cost for health care coverage in 2025.
- Benefits-at-a-Glance – Review high-level benefits and 2025 rates.
Benefit Options
During Annual Enrollment, you can enroll in the following benefits for 2024. To review our current 2024 benefits, click on the three lines in the upper right corner of this page to access the dropdown menu of benefits.
Medical
For 2025, there are some changes to the Premium PPO and the Kaiser HMO (CA only) as described above in What’s Changing. Those changes are included in the following interactive side-by-side plan comparison, which you can use to compare your 2025 medical plan options.
| Essential CDHP | Standard PPO | Premium PPO | Kaiser HMO (CA Only) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual deductible (individual/family) | ||||
| In-network | $2,000/$4,000 | $1,000/$2,000 | $400/$800 | $500/$1,000 |
| Out-of-network | $4,000/$8,000 | $2,000/$4,000 | $1,500/$3,000 | N/A |
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum (OOPM)* (individual/family) | ||||
| In-network | $6,000/$12,000 | $4,000/$8,000 | $3,000/$6,000 | $2,500/$5,000 |
| Out-of-network | $12,000/$24,000 | $8,000/$16,000 | $7,000/$14,000 | N/A |
| Health care visits: Your costs | ||||
| Preventive care (in-network) | No charge | No charge | No charge | No charge |
| Preventive care (out-of-network) | 50% after deductible | 50% after deductible | 50% after deductible | N/A |
| Primary care visit (in-network) | 20% after deductible | 20% after deductible | $30 copay | $20 copay |
| Primary care visit (out-of-network) | 50% after deductible | 50% after deductible | 50% coinsurance | N/A |
| Specialist visit (in-network) | 20% after deductible | 20% after deductible | $50 copay | $30 copay |
| Specialist visit (out-of-network | 50% after deductible | 50% after deductible | 50% coinsurance | N/A |
| X-rays/lab (in-network) | 20% after deductible | 20% after deductible | 10% coinsurance | $10 copay |
| X-rays/lab (out-of-network) | 50% after deductible | 50% after deductible | 50% coinsurance | N/A |
| Inpatient Hospitalization (in-network) | 20% after deductible | 20% after deductible | 10% coinsurance | 20% coinsurance |
| Inpatient Hospitalization (out-of-network) | 50% after deductible | 50% after deductible | 50% coinsurance | N/A |
| Outpatient Hospitalization (in-network) | 20% after deductible | 20% after deductible | 10% coinsurance | 20% coinsurance |
| Outpatient Hospitalization (out-of-network) | 50% after deductible | 50% after deductible | 50% coinsurance | N/A |
| Ambulance services (in-network) | 20% after deductible | 20% after deductible | 10% coinsurance | $150 copay |
| Ambulance services (out-of-network) | 20% after deductible | 20% after deductible | 10% coinsurance | N/A |
| Emergency room (in-network) | 20% after deductible | 20% after deductible | $300 copay | $200 copay after deductible |
| Emergency room (out-of-network) | 20% after deductible | 20% after deductible | $300 copay | N/A |
| Prescription Drug Coverage | ||||
| Prescription Rx annual deductible (in-network) | Accrues to the medical plan deductible | Accrues to the medical plan deductible | Accrues to the medical plan deductible | Accrues to the medical plan deductible |
| Prescription Rx annual deductible (out-of-network) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Rx coinsurance (in-network) | After deductible: Generic Rx: You pay 20% Preferred & Non-Preferred Brand Rx: You pay 20% Specialty Rx: 30% up to $500 maximum |
Generic Rx: You pay 20% Preferred & Non-Preferred Brand Rx: You pay 20% Specialty Rx: 30% up to $500 maximum |
Generic Rx: You pay 10% Preferred & Non-Preferred Brand Rx: You pay 10% Specialty Rx: 30% up to $500 maximum |
Generic Rx: $10 copay retail, $20 copay mail order (for a 100-day supply) Preferred & Non-Preferred Brand Rx: $30 copay retail, $60 copay mail order (for a 100-day supply) Specialty Rx: 20% coinsurance (not to exceed $250) for up to a 30-day supply |
| Rx coinsurance (out-of-network) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Rx out-of-pocket maximum (in-network) | Accrues to the medical plan OOPM | $2,200 Individual $4,400 Family | $2,200 Individual $4,400 Family | N/A |
| Rx out-of-pocket maximum (out-of-network) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Supplemental Medical
There are no changes for 2024. The following plans are available:
- Accident Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Dental
Changes to the dental plans for 2025 are detailed in What’s Changing and in the table shown below.
| Coverage | Delta Dental PPO | Delta DHMO | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-Network | Out-of-Network | |||
| Annual Deductible | $50 individual/$150 family | $100 individual/$300 family | The Delta Dental DHMO offers in-network services only, meaning you will not receive coverage unless the dentist participates in Delta Dental's DHMO network. The Delta Dental DHMO covers preventive cleanings at no cost twice per year. Other Services are based on a Patient Charge Schedule. For more information, visit Delta Dental. |
|
| Individual Annual Maximum | $1,750 | $1,250 | ||
| Preventive and Diagnostic | 100% coverage (not subject to deductible) | 80% coverage (not subject to deductible) | ||
| Basic Restorative Care | 80% after deductible | 50% after deductible | ||
| Major Restorative Care | 50%* after deductible | 40% after deductible | ||
| Orthodontia | 50% after deductible $1,750 lifetime max |
50% after deductible $1,250 lifetime max |
||
*Endodontics, Periodontics, Oral Surgery are covered at 60% after deductible.
Vision
Changes to the vision plans for 2025 are detailed in What’s Changing. The following plans are available:
- Standard Plan
- Enhanced Plan
Health Care and Dependent Care Spending and Savings Accounts
The following accounts are available for 2024:
- Health Savings Account (HSA) – Increased contribution limits for 2024: $4,150 for employee-only coverage and $8,300 if you cover dependents.
- Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – The contribution limit is $3,200 in 2024. The IRS will announce the 2025 limits at a later date.
- Limited Purpose FSA – The contribution limit is $3,200 in 2024. The IRS will announce the 2025 limits at a later date.
Life and AD&D Insurance
Spouse/partner coverage will continue to be available in 2024. In addition to the basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance you receive, which is company-paid with no enrollment required, you may enroll in:
- Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
- Spouse, Domestic Partner & Child Term Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
There are no changes for 2024. If you live in CA, NY, RI, or PR, you are automatically enrolled in the state program to receive short-term disability. If you don’t live in these locations, you will need to enroll in the voluntary short-term disability plan. All full-time employees will be automatically enrolled in long-term disability insurance at no cost to you. You may choose to enroll in buy-up long-term disability insurance.
Other Benefits
Consider if you want any other benefits coverage next year:
- Tax-Free Commuter Benefits
- Pet Insurance
- Home & Auto Insurance
- Legal Support Benefit
- Identity Theft Protection