Overview

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority ("Authority") provides a comprehensive health and welfare benefits program designed to attract and retain the talent necessary to successfully execute its business strategy and meet its obligations.  The understands that to fulfill its mission it requires a highly qualified, and diverse employee population.

The Authority provides a benefits program that:

• Recognizes that benefits are a valuable component of total compensation.
• That is designed to attract and retain top talent.
• Provides individual choice and flexibility in managing health and welfare benefits and recognizes the diverse needs of the employee population.
• Is managed in a fiscally responsible manner, complies with state and federal regulations, and is administered efficiently and effectively.
• Is communicated effectively to provide employees with a full understanding of the value of the benefits program.

Medical

We are proud to offer a choice among five different medical plans that provide comprehensive medical and prescription drug coverage. The following is a brief description of each plan.

You have five different medical options from which to choose:

Select and Full Network HMO Plans:

• Covered services include only those services provided by an In-network provider.
• You are required to select a Primary Care Physician (PCP) who will coordinate your treatment and provide referrals to Specialists.
• There is no deductible that needs to be met before the plan shares the cost of services.
• Differences between these two HMO plans is only in the network of providers.

PPO Plan:

• Freedom to seek care from the provider of your choice.
• Receive maximum benefits and lowest out-of-pocket costs if you choose a provider participating in-network.
• The calendar-year deductible must be met before certain services are covered.

HDHP with HSA:

• Freedom to seek care from the provider of your choice.
• Receive maximum benefits and lowest out-of-pocket costs if you choose a provider participating in-network.
• Comes with a Health Savings Account (HSA) that allows you to save funds to pay for any qualified health care expenses (as defined by the IRS), including most medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision expenses. To offset the high deductible, the Airport Authority deposits an upfront annual contribution to your HSA upon enrollment to cover the annual deductible in most cases.

Cross Border Health Plan Option (MediExcel)

• Covers emergency and urgent care services worldwide including Tijuana, Tecate, Mexicali, San Diego and Chula Vista.
• All-inclusive healthcare campus in Tijuana.
• There is no deductible that needs to be met before the plan shares the cost of services.
• Virtual Care Services are available.

FIND A MEDICAL PROVIDER

In-network benefits for the Select HMO, Priority Select HMO, PPO, and HDHP with HSA are provided through Cigna. To find a provider, visit www.mycigna.com continue as a guest.   

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

It can often be helpful just having someone to talk to. Confidential help is a phone call away with the Employee Assistance Program. The program provides professional, private, and confidential services through a network of qualified counselors and resources. Receive counseling sessions per issue, per person, per year and unlimited toll-free phone access and online resources at no cost.

Dental

Choose between two dental plans.

Dental DHMO

• Choose a primary dental provider to manage your care.
• No charges for most preventive services with reduced, pre-set charges for other services.
• No claims forms and no deductible.

Dental DPPO

• Freedom to seek care from the provider of your choice.
• Receive maximum benefits and lowest out-of-pocket costs if you choose a provider participating in the Anthem Blue Cross network.
• You must meet a calendar-year deductible before the plan begins to share the cost of services.

FIND A MEDICAL PROVIDER

Your in-network benefits are provided through the Anthem Blue Cross Network. To find a dentist, visit anthem.com/ca/find-care and continue as a guest. You can search by ZIP codes, provider type, or specific plan/ provider. Here’s a key to finding the plans available to you:

• HMO: Dental Net HMO
• PPO: Dental Complete

Waiving Dental

Authority provides a credit for those not electing to enroll in a dental plan.

Vision

Vision benefits are provided through VSP Vision Service Plan. Through the vision plan, participants can see the provider of choice, but will pay less if an ophthalmologist who participates in the VSP network is selected.

Life/Disability

Basic Term Life/AD&D

When it comes to Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), we provide financial protection for you and your family in the event of your death (Life Insurance) and in the event of a covered accidental bodily injury that directly causes dismemberment (AD&D). We cover the cost of this coverage, provided at 100% for employees. Employer-paid premiums for benefit amounts greater than $50,000 are taxable to you. 

Voluntary Term Life

If you determine you need more than the basic life coverage, you may purchase additional coverage for yourself and your eligible family members. If both you and your spouse are Authority employees, you may not purchase voluntary life spouse coverage. 

Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment

The Voluntary Stand-Alone AD&D can be purchased separately or in addition to the Voluntary Life. The monthly premium is based on the benefit amount and not according to your age. If you elect coverage for yourself, you may also enroll your eligible dependents for a percentage of your benefits. A select benefit volume is guaranteed issued within 30 days of the hire/qualifying event date.

Short Term Disability

Disability insurance provides benefits that replace part of your lost income when you become unable to work due to a covered injury or illness. Short-Term Disability provided at NO COST to you. SDCRAA employees do not participate in California Short-Term Disability Insurance. 

Voluntary Long-Term Disability

Voluntary Long-Term Disability is provided at an affordable group rate.

Retirement Benefits

Defined Contribution Plan- This retirement savings program allows you to make pre-tax and/or Roth (post-tax) contributions to your account, which means you will reduce your current income tax while investing in your future financial security. Earnings on your contributions also grow tax-free. The 2024 IRS contribution limit is $23,000. However, if you are age 50 or older, or within three years of your normal retirement age, you may make additional “catch-up” contributions to the account. You can elect to contribute at any time, contribute any amount you would like within the IRS limits, and stop contributing at any time.

Defined Contribution Plan-A plan through San Diego City Employee Retirement System (SDCERS)- All full-time employees of the Authority are eligible for membership to join the SDCERS defined benefit plan. The Defined Benefit Plan is a retirement plan in which you contribute throughout your career, and which guarantees you a benefit from the time you retire until your death. Your benefit amount is based on your years of service, age at retirement, and final compensation.

Funded Health Reimbursement Arrangement (FHRA) -The Second-Generation Retiree Health Benefits Program is an Authority annual contribution an FHRA account. You do not pay taxes on these contributions. In addition to the Authority’s annual contribution, new hires may irrevocably elect to contribute a fixed amount to the account within 30 days of their hire date. Once you retire, you may use your R-FHRA funds to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Time Away from Work

Paid Time Off- The number of vacation days accrued each year is based on your length of service.

Other Leave- Eligible employees receive 40 hours of Other Leave each calendar year (first year is pro-rated.) Other Leave hours do not roll over–you must use them before the last pay period end date of the calendar year.

Holiday- The Authority observes 14 paid holidays per year including:

• New Year’s Day
• Cesar Chavez Day 
• MLK Jr. Day
• Presidents Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving
• Day After Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• New Year's Eve

Paid Family Leave- Paid family leave enables employees to receive 100% salary continuance for up to 6 weeks when they take time off work for qualifying reasons, such as bonding with a new child or caring for a seriously ill family member.

Flexible Spending Accounts

FSAs allow you to set aside a portion of your income, before taxes, to pay for qualified health care and/or dependent care expenses. Because that portion of your income is not taxed, you pay less in federal income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes. We provide you with an opportunity to participate in three different flexible spending accounts (FSAs):

Medical FSA-You may contribute up to IRS annual max limits to cover qualified health care expenses incurred by you, your spouse, and your children up to age 26. For a complete list of eligible Health Care FSA expenses, visit www.irs.gov and search for publication 502.

Dep. Care FSA- You may contribute up IRS annual max limits to cover eligible dependent care expenses. For a complete list of eligible Health Care FSA expenses, please visit www.irs.gov and search for publication 502.

Commuter Transit FSA-The IRS allows you to contribute up to the monthly limit to cover qualified commuter transit expenses used to travel between your home and workplace. The Authority contributes a portion of the amount you select each month. Unused funds carry over from month to month and year to year.

Other Benefits

Financial Wellness Advisor -A financial engagement service, which analyzes an individual’s unique financial situation associated with retirement, life insurance, disability, long-term care, and student financial debt. This analysis examines whether an individual is adequately preparing for future financial success.

LifeStyle Spending Accounts (LSA)-Provides eligible employees with $500 (taxable) to be used towards designated well-being expenses, including childcare services, stress management apps, gym memberships, amusement parks, books, pet care and more.

PARENTAL SUPPORT by Parento-Eligible employees (and their partners) have access to Parento’s parent coaches who provide 1-on-1 support, advice, and guidance provided by experienced, caring coaches free of charge. Parento coaches can help with matters related to welcoming a new child and managing the transition to and from leave or providing general support for current parents.

CHILD CARE BENEFITS provided by Tootris -With TOOTRiS Childcare Benefits, SDCRAA parents and guardians now have access to the nation’s largest, most comprehensive network of licensed Childcare providers. Simply using your computer or mobile phone, TOOTRiS allows you to quickly find and vet Childcare programs online, schedule tours, see availability, and enroll your children all in REAL-TIME.

Tuition Assistance-Apply for tuition assistance and be reimbursed for eligible tuition expenses per calendar year. Courses may be taken individually or as part of a degree program.

Parking Cash-Out-Parking Cash-Out is a program in which you have the option to accept via payroll $100 per month in taxable cash income instead of a free parking space at work. This gives you the choice to keep the parking space at work, use the money to pay for transit or vanpool fares, or save the money by carpooling, bicycling, or walking to work.

Long Term Care- Provides benefits to help you pay for care provided by adult day cares, home health aides, nursing facilities, hospice, and other eldercare services.

Wellness Program

To help you achieve your health goals, we offer a wellness program at no cost to you. If you participate, you can earn incentives for yourself and your spouse/domestic partner.

Voluntary Products

We sometimes encounter unexpected health events that, without additional protection, can have major impact on your pocketbook. The following benefits provide extra protection for expenses that may not be covered by your medical benefits – anything from deductibles to childcare to everyday bills – in the form of a cash benefit. Because you’re selecting this coverage through your company, you can take advantage of group rates. These coverages are Guaranteed Issue within 30 days of hire, which means you don’t have to answer any medical questions to receive coverage.

Accident- Allows you to protect your budget against unforeseen expenses if you or a covered family member is accidentally injured.

Hospital- Provides additional protection if you or a covered family member is hospitalized or visits the emergency room due to an accident or injury.

Critical Illness Insurance- Provides a cash benefit when you or a covered family member is diagnosed with a covered critical illness.

Auto & Home Insurance- Receive an exclusive group discount to protect your auto and home.

Legal & Identity Theft Protection Services- Protect your family against identity theft and get the legal assistance you need without paying the high price for an attorney.

Pet Insurance- Discounted group rate to cover common accidents, injuries and illness, surgery and hospitalizations, X-rays, MRIs, CAT scans, and prescriptions needed for your fury family members.