Optional Flexible Benefit Insurance Available to You 

We believe that you can never be too prepared, which is one of the reasons the South Dakot State Employee Benefits Program offers four different types of optional insurance. These flexible benefits, provided by MetLife, can give you the coverage, security, and peace of mind rarely found when dealing with medical emergencies.

No one ever plans an accident or illness. Obtaining coverage that is right for you and your family is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself in the event the unthinkable happens.

Accident Insurance

Accident Insurance provides you with a lump-sum payment in the event you suffer a covered event. Over 150 different accidents are covered by the plan. The accident insurance benefit can be used for any purpose, including helping to pay for expenses not covered by your medical plan, deductibles, or copayments and coinsurance.

Payments are madein addition to any other insurance you may have without the burden of waiting periods.

Hospital Indemnity

Hospital Indemnity coverage provides a benefit for hospitalization and any associated treatment. You and/or a covered family member will receive a daily benefit of $200 per person for each day of hospitalization because of injury or illness. The benefit can continue for up to 180 days, beginning with the first day of your hospital stay.

There is no lifetime maximum for this benefit, nor is there coordination with other insurance benefits. Payments are made in addition to other insurance policies you have without waiting periods.

Basic Life Insurance & Supplemental Life

Basic Life: The State of South Dakota provides each employee $25,000 of Basic Life Insurance coverage at no cost. Basic Life coverage cannot be ported, but it can be converted if you leave employment with the State.

Supplemental Life: You may choose supplemental life coverage levels of one, two, three, four, five, six, or seven times your annual salary up to $1,000,000 through MetLife. If you are applying for six or seven times your salary coverage, coverage over $400,000, or an increase to your current amount outside of your 30-day new hire enrollment period, you need to go through an approval process.

The MetLife Supplemental Life Insurance Plan is portable, meaning you may be able to continue the policy on your own when you end employment with the State up to age 99. Unlike other flexible benefits which can only be changed during a Qualifying Event or Annual Enrollment, you may make changes to Supplemental Life at any time during the plan year.

Short-Term Disability

Short-Term Disability is a benefit that assists you during eligible periods of disability, such as illness or accidental injury. The benefit you will receive is approximately 60% of your pre-disability weekly earnings up to a maximum of $1,200 per week in the event you are you are temporarily disabled and unable to work.

Have additional questions? Click here to check out the FY20 Decision Guide, or call the benefits staff at 605.773.3148!

Click here to read previous Benefits Blog posts!

Follow benefits on social media!