Introduction
Our benefits program is designed to offer employees substantial coverage to meet both individual and family needs. This booklet includes only highlights. The specific terms of coverage, exclusions and limitations are contained in the plan documents and insurance certificates. All coverage and coverage costs are subject to change at any time in the future. If you have any questions about a specific service or treatment, please contact the appropriate insurance carrier.
Annual enrollment is your opportunity to learn about the 2026 Health Care Program, review your current coverage and choose the best options for you and your family. Please review our 2026 Enrollment Guide to learn more about our 2026 benefits offerings.
How To Enroll
You will have access to the Ease enrollment portal throughout the year but will only be able to make benefit elections during the Open Enrollment period. Managing Open Enrollment through the EASE portal will help you make better benefits decisions by easily comparing options, plan deductibles, SBCs, and actual costs per pay period - in less time than it takes to drink of cup of coffee!
iOS & Android mobile app: Sometimes, life makes it difficult to prepare for a trip to the doctor's office. You can quickly access plan information, details, and policy numbers from any location. Securely review your benefits information on the go with the EASE mobile app.
Log into the EASE enrollment portal during Open Enrollment - May 25 through May 29 - and enroll and/or modify your elections for 2026. Remember to review your elections carefully and sign off on any changes. All employees need to log into EASE during Open Enrollment to update personal information and beneficiaries and to elect/or decline coverage.
The benefits you elect during Open Enrollment will be effective from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The benefit choices you make during your initial enrollment or annual open enrollment remain in effect for the entire year. You can, however, modify your elections under certain circumstances, called "Qualifying Events." These are events such as marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, loss of eligibility under another plan. If you experience a qualifying event, you may make changes to your benefits within 30 days of the event. Refer to your Employee Benefits Guide or contact Human Resources if you have questions about qualifying events.
Click the direct link below to enroll now!
Benefits Overview
Please review the 2026 Open Enrollment Employee Benefits Guide.
Medical
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma will administer your medical and prescription drug benefits this year. The PPO options offer the freedom to see any provider when you need care. When you use providers from within the PPO network, you receive benefits at the discounted network cost. Most expenses, such as office visits, emergency room and prescription drugs are covered by a copay. Other expenses are subject to a deductible and coinsurance.
If you are already enrolled in one of the City of Newcastle BCBS medical plans today and have not already done so, please be sure to register through the BCBS member portal where you can access important information pertaining to your medical plans with BCBS including participating providers, cost estimates for services, explanation of benefits/claims, and your accumulation amounts for deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. If you are not currently covered, you will be able to register in the BCBS portal as of your effective date of coverage.
Helpful Rx Cost Saving Tools & Tips!
MAIL ORDER - Many drugs are available in a 90-day supply, rather than the 30-day retail supply. Typically, mail order drugs are subject to two-times the standard 30-day copays noted above, resulting in lower expenses for you.
GOOD Rx - There are many tools online that you can use in order to save on prescription costs. One being www.goodrx.com, an online Rx database that allows you to find what pharmacy is the cheapest for your specific prescription. Additionally, you may be able to find a coupon that will greatly reduce your cost. It is important to remember that many of the coupons can only be used outside of your plan (insurance will not be applied and costs with the coupon will not count towards your deductibles and/or out-of-pocket maximums).
ASK YOUR DOCTOR - Make sure to ask if there are cost savings alternatives to the prescription they are providing. Many times, there are generic or different manufacturers that will save you money at the pharmacy.
To find out if your provider is in-network, please visit the link below.
Money Accounts
City of Newcastle offers the choice of two Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) administered by Ameriflex, which allow you to pay for eligible expenses with pre-tax dollars. Please note that if you have currently elected an FSA, you must re-elect coverage for 2026 to continue participating, even if you do not intend to change your election amount.
HEALTH CARE FSA
Health Care FSAs may be used to pay for eligible medical, Rx, dental and vision expenses not fully covered by your insurance plans for you and your tax eligible dependents. You may elect to defer up to $3,400 into your health care FSA.
DEPENDENT CARE FSA
Dependent Care FSAs may be used to pay for eligible expenses related to the care and supervision of your child (age 12 or under) or adult dependent on your tax return. If you are single or married filing jointly, you may elect to defer up to $7,500 (up to $3,750 if you are married filing separately) of your salary into a dependent care FSA. Eligible expenses include child or adult daycare, after school care, nursery school, nanny or babysitter. You must accumulate the funds in your Dependent Care FSA before you can be reimbursed.
Dental
City of Newcastle's dental plans provide comprehensive coverage to help you and your family maintain good dental health. We're excited to partner with Mutual of Omaha this year for our dental coverage. Providers are part of the Mutual of Omaha network, or you may see an out-of-network dentist of your choice. Be aware if you go out-of-network, your costs will be higher.
To find out if your provider is in-network, please visit the link below.
Vision
DID YOU KNOW?
- Eye exams can help detect serious eye and general health conditions sooner: high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol
- Babies should receive their first professional eye exam at 6 months
- 80% of learning in the first 12 years comes through the eyes
City of Newcastle offers vision coverage through Mutual of Omaha to help pay for eye exams, prescription glasses and contact lenses. You receive a higher level of benefits when you see a provider in the Insight Network through EyeMed. Review your coverage details in your Benefit Guide.
To find out if your provider is in-network, please visit the link below.
Life & AD&D
City of Newcastle provides you with Basic & Voluntary Life/AD&D coverage through Mutual of Omaha.
Basic Life/AD&D
Employees working 30 or more hours per week are eligible for $75,000 coverage payable to your designated beneficiary in the event of your death. An additional accidental death & dismemberment benefit (AD&D) is payable to you in the event of a covered dismemberment or to your beneficiary if your death is the result of an accident.
Voluntary Life/AD&D
A sudden accident or death can leave you or your loved ones in a vulnerable position. Employees have the opportunity to enroll in Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance which will supplement lost income in the event of an accident or death. If you choose to enroll in employee coverage, this will be in addition to your employer provided Basic Life coverage.
Who's Your Beneficiary? Naming a beneficiary is a crucial part of electing life insurance. Also, don't forget to update your primary or secondary beneficiary if you experience a life event, such as a divorce or birth of a child.
Please consult your Employee Benefit Guide and review the benefit summaries for additional details.
Disability
We understand that for most of us, our income is the most important financial resource. To be without income for an extended period of time would most likely be devastating for you and your family. We recognize the importance of protecting your income in the event you are unable to work. Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverage is now offered through Mutual of Omaha. Both coverages are voluntary, meaning you will be responsible for 100% of the cost through a payroll deduction.
SHORT-TERM DISABILITY - NEW!
LONG-TERM DISABILITY - NEW!
Voluntary Benefits
Voluntary Benefits with Mutual of Omaha
We're excited to offer three new Voluntary Benefits this year with Mutual of Omaha.
Accident Insurance - NEW!
Although accidents are unexpected and usually come without warning, you don't have to let an injury catch you off guard. You can be prepared to handle the accompanying medical expenses with the help of an accident insurance policy.
Accident insurance pays a lump-sum cash benefit for injuries you or an insured family member sustains as a result of an accident. Because accident insurance is supplemental, it works in addition to other insurance you may have. With accident insurance, you won't have to worry about how you will pay for care, and your savings can be protected.
Critical Illness Insurance - NEW!
As an active employee of City of Newcastle, you can give your family the extra security they need to lessen the financial impact of a serious illness by purchasing Critical Illness insurance. A critical illness policy provides a lump-sum cash benefit upon diagnosis of a critical illness like a heart attack, stroke or cancer. The benefit can be used to pay out-of-pocket expenses or to supplement your daily cost of living.
Hospital Indemnity Insurance - NEW!
Being admitted to the hospital can be stressful. It also means expenses could add up quickly and catch you off guard with a large, and perhaps unexpected, medical bill. With a hospital indemnity insurance policy, you can be better prepared to manage both medical costs and the everyday expenses that come with a hospital stay.
Hospital Indemnity insurance pays a fixed dollar benefit amount when you or an insured dependent are admitted or confined to a hospital. Because hospital indemnity insurance is supplemental and not major medical insurance, it works in addition to other insurance you may have.
Wellness
In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, where stress and mental health issues are on the rise, effective well-being plays a crucial role. At City of Newcastle, we recognize that a healthy, content workforce is not only more productive but also fosters a positive culture. We strive for a supportive and inclusive environment where we encourage and support improvement of physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. Whether within a corporate setting, a community, or on a personal level, well-being focuses on fostering awareness, empathy, and support to create a healthier and more balanced workplace and environment for all. Prioritizing employee wellness and wellbeing is not just a policy but a reflection of our commitment to both the individual and collective success of team.
To access the wellbeing newsletter, which includes resources, tips, recipes, and more, please select the button below.
Additional Resources
Contact Us
As you consider your benefit options, please be sure to review all available information: Employee Benefits Guide and other videos and flyers found on this webpage. If you don't understand your benefits or need any assistance, please contact HR or our team at NFP.
Client Contacts
Doris Raab
draab@cityofnewcastleok.com
(405) 387-4427
Account Team Contacts
Jill Zamudio
Account Manager
jill.zamudio@nfp.com
405-513-8965
Shelby Parker
Consultant
shelby.parker@nfp.com
405-513-8902