A mail-order drug program for purchasing maintenance drugs is also a benefit. Vision care benefits include an eye exam and coverage for eyeglass lenses or contact lenses annually, and coverage for frames every 24 months. After one year of employment, employees are eligible to receive 60 percent of their salary if they are ill or injured for longer than 90 days. Payments may continue for the duration of the illness or injury, up to age 65. Minimum contribution is 4 percent to 6 percent of salary, depending on years of service.
Eligibility begins after six months of employment.
To promote a balance between work and family life, HMSA allows flex time whenever the business needs of the job can allow it. This increases to 15 days on the third anniversary date and to 20 days after 10 years of service. Then they have money deducted from their paychecks before taxes are taken out and set aside in a special account. As they pay for services rendered, they can request reimbursement from this account, saving themselves up to 35 percent in taxes. In addition to regular health plan benefits for mental health and substance abuse, HMSA provides up to six free visits per year at Hawaii Biodyne for professional assessment or counseling.