Benefits Overview
Eligibility and Enrollment
Benefit eligibility is based on your position and scheduled hours worked. For most general and charter school employees, coverage begins the first of the month following 30 days of employment, while eligible Police and Fire employees receive medical and basic life coverage on their date of hire.
You may enroll as a new hire, during the annual Open Enrollment period, or within the allowed timeframe after a qualifying life event (such as marriage, birth of a child, or loss of other coverage). Many premiums are deducted on a pre‑tax basis under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Online Benefits Enrollment
The City uses the Bentek Employee Benefits Center (EBC) for all benefit elections and changes.
- Website: mybentek.com/cityofcapecoral
- Use EBC to review plan options, enroll or make changes, report life events, and update beneficiaries.
- Technical assistance: 888‑5‑Bentek (523‑6835) or support@mybentek.com, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. EST.
Health Benefits
Medical
Medical coverage is provided through Florida Blue and includes multiple HMO and PPO options so you can select the network and cost‑sharing structure that best fit your needs. Employee‑only coverage is offered at no cost, with payroll contributions for dependent coverage.
Health and Wellness Center
Eligible members also have access to the My Health Onsite Employee Health and Wellness Center for primary care, wellness services, and diagnostic testing at no cost. Select medications are also available at little or no cost. Services are available to employees, dependents, and retirees enrolled in the Florida Blue group health plan.
Prescription Drug and Mail Order
Prescription drug benefits are administered by Prime Therapeutics in coordination with Florida Blue. Covered medications are available at participating retail pharmacies, with copays determined by your selected medical plan and the drug tier.
Maintenance medications can be filled through Amazon Pharmacy’s mail order program. Eligible prescriptions are delivered directly to your home after setting up mail order through your Florida Blue online account.
Telehealth
Teladoc Health provides 24/7 access to board‑certified physicians by phone or video for non‑emergency medical concerns such as colds, flu, minor infections, and rashes. Telehealth is included with your Florida Blue medical coverage and is a convenient option when your primary care provider is unavailable or you are away from home.
Dental
Dental coverage is offered through Florida Combined Life (Florida Blue Dental) with several plan options. Choices include a DHMO plan that requires selection of a primary dental provider and DPPO plans that offer broader access to in‑network and out‑of‑network dentists.
Preventive services are typically covered at low or no cost when using network providers, with additional coverage for basic and major restorative services and, under certain plans, orthodontia.
Vision
Vision benefits are provided by Vision Service Plan (VSP). Coverage generally includes eye exams, lenses, frames, and contact lenses according to a set schedule, plus discounts on additional eyewear and lens enhancements through VSP network providers.
Life, AD&D, and Disability
Basic life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage are provided through New York Life Group Benefit Solutions. These benefits offer financial protection for your beneficiaries in the event of your death or certain accidental injuries.
Long‑term disability coverage is also provided through New York Life Group Benefit Solutions to help replace a portion of your income if you are unable to work for an extended period due to a qualifying disability. Additional voluntary life insurance options are available for employees and eligible dependents.
Supplemental Plans
Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), administered by PA Group, allow you to set aside pre‑tax dollars to pay eligible health care and dependent care expenses. Contributions can be used for qualified medical, dental, vision, and child or dependent care costs, subject to IRS annual limits and plan rules.
Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP), provided by ESI Employee Assistance Group, offers confidential counseling and support services at no cost to you and your household members. The EAP can assist with personal, family, emotional, substance use, legal, and financial concerns, as well as provide specialized resources for public safety and education professionals.
AFLAC
Through Aflac, you may purchase voluntary supplemental plans, including accident, hospital, short term disability, and critical illness with cancer coverage. These benefits are designed to help offset out‑of‑pocket expenses not covered by your primary medical plan by providing cash benefits paid directly to you.
Legal and Identity Theft Protection
LegalShield and associated identity theft plans provide access to legal services and identity monitoring and restoration support. Employees may enroll to receive assistance with everyday legal matters, document review, and identity theft protection and recovery services, subject to plan provisions.
Retirement
Deferred Compensation and Retirement
Deferred compensation (457) plans through MissionSquare Retirement and Nationwide allow you to save additional pre‑tax income for retirement. These plans complement your City retirement benefits and offer a range of investment options.
Retirement and pension plans for general employees, police, and fire are administered with support from Foster & Foster. Employees should review their specific plan documents and online resources for details on contributions, vesting, and benefit calculations.
Leave
Full-time regular and probationary employees accrue annual leave monthly according to years of service. Accrual rates begin at 16.67 hours/month (5 weeks/year) and increase at specified service milestones. A maximum of 400 hours may be carried into the next year.
The City observes 11 paid holidays, which include New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Bereavement leave, jury duty leave, leave sharing, and organ or bone marrow donor leave are also available for eligible employees.
Wellness
The City of Cape Coral is dedicated to your well-being and overall health and wellness. The goal of the City’s wellness program is to foster a culture of health and wellness by offering wellness initiatives throughout the year that engage and encourage employees to develop or maintain healthy lifestyles.
This is a voluntary program offered to all benefit-eligible employees enrolled in the City’s group medical plan, as well as those who opt out of the plan. Incentives earned can total up to $400 per calendar year and are paid out quarterly.