South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority

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Local governmental organizations in South Carolina may have the right to participate in the state insurance benefits program. If you are unsure of your employer's eligibility, click here or call PEBA Insurance Benefits at 803-734-0678. If your entity is an eligible optional group, PEBA Insurance Benefits welcomes your interest in the program.

PEBA Insurance Benefits is pleased to offer your entity the same comprehensive benefits it offers to employees of state agencies, public colleges and universities, public school districts and other optional participants. Because more than 435,000 South Carolinians are insured through one of the health plans offered by the state insurance program, premiums have held relatively stable despite rising healthcare costs.

PEBA Insurance Benefits' rates compare favorably to premiums charged elsewhere for similar coverage. Optional groups' premiums are determined by claims experience based on employer group size.

For Decision Makers

The first step for an eligible optional group interested in participating in the state insurance program is a careful review of the Local Subdivision Handbook and Application and the 2013 Insurance Benefits Guide. To apply for the program, complete the application in the handbook and send it and your signed agreement, along with a $500 non-refundable application fee, to PEBA Insurance Benefits. The fee will be applied to your first monthly insurance bill.

It is important that your entity designate a benefits administrator (BA) to manage the employee benefits programs. The BA, typically a human resources or personnel specialist, needs to be responsible for understanding and administering the insurance programs and must be aware of federal and state programs and regulations to ensure compliance of employee benefits, including COBRA.

Expertise in administering benefits is becoming more important as these programs account for a growing proportion of overall employee compensation and as they grow in number and complexity. Familiarity with benefits is top priority for a BA, particularly in light of the rising cost of health care and the increasing cost to the employer in providing these benefits.

For more information, see these Frequently Asked Questions.

For Benefits Administrators

The state insurance benefits program offers a variety of plans to active employees, retirees and survivors, including:

Health
Dental
Vision
Basic and supplemental long term disability
Basic, optional and dependent life insurance
Flexible benefits plan

Once your group’s application has been reviewed and approved, a Field Services representative will contact you about enrolling employees and answer any questions you have. You will receive a code to access content on the PEBA Insurance Benefits website, www.eip.sc.gov, that is exclusively for benefits administrators. You will use your code on this page.

The BA will be responsible for ensuring enrollees’ insurance records are in compliance with PEBA Insurance Benefits’ enrollment and billing procedures. The BA is also responsible for complying with federal and state regulations, such as providing required COBRA notices to enrollees. Field Services representatives will be available to answer your questions once your group is enrolled.