PG&E Health and Wellness Benefits: More Than Just Coverage

If you’re a PG&E employee, you already know the company’s benefits are among the best out there. What many people don’t realize is just how much those health and wellness benefits can do for you, not just when you’re sick, but also to keep you and your family healthy for the long run.

From medical, dental, and vision coverage, to mental health support, to fitness incentives and wellness programs, PG&E gives you tools to take care of yourself today while lowering health costs tomorrow.

Let’s break down what’s included and why it matters.

Medical Coverage: Real Choices, Real Support

PG&E’s health care program is built around flexibility. Employees can choose between two main Health Account Plan (HAP) options, depending on where they live:

• Anthem Blue Cross HAP
• Kaiser Permanente HAP (KPIC)

Both plans are designed to balance cost and coverage. Here are some highlights:

• Annual deductible: $1,000 per person / $2,000 per family.
• Out-of-pocket maximums: $2,400 per person / $4,800 per family.
• Preventive care: Covered at 100%, no cost to you.
• Coinsurance: After the deductible, you typically pay 10–20%, depending on the service.

You’ll also have access to emergency care, hospitalization, skilled nursing facilities, and even coverage for organ and tissue transplants. And the best part? There are no lifetime benefit limits (except for infertility), so you don’t have to worry about your coverage running out.

Why it matters: Having two strong options means you can choose between Kaiser’s integrated care model and Anthem’s broad provider network. That flexibility helps you find the care style that fits you best.

Dental Coverage: Keeping Your Smile Strong

PG&E’s dental plan is run through Delta Dental of California, one of the largest networks in the country.

Here’s what’s included:

• Preventive care: Exams, cleanings, and X-rays are covered with minimal cost to you.
• Basic care: Fillings, root canals, extractions, and gum treatments.
• Major care: Crowns, bridges, implants, and dentures.
• Annual maximum: $2,500 per person.
• Orthodontia: 50% covered, with a lifetime max of $2,000 per person.

PG&E pays a significant portion of dental expenses, making it affordable to get the care you need. And because Delta has such a wide network, it’s easy to find a dentist who participates and helps you avoid surprise bills.

Vision Coverage: Clear Benefits for You and Your Family

Vision care is handled by VSP (Vision Service Plan). With more than 27,000 eye doctors in their network, you’ll have plenty of choice.

• Exam: One exam every 12 months with just a $10 copay.
• Lenses: Covered every 12 months, with a $25 materials copay.
• Frames: Covered every 24 months, with a $150 allowance.
• Contacts: Medically necessary contacts are fully covered; elective contacts have a $150 allowance.
• Extras: UV protection and photochromic lenses (lenses that darken in sunlight) are included when using a VSP doctor.
• LASIK surgery: Covered up to $250 per eye (lifetime).

Why it matters: Eye exams often catch health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure early. Having dependable vision coverage makes preventive care easy and affordable.

Mental Health and Employee Assistance

Life can get stressful, whether it’s work pressure, family responsibilities, or personal struggles. PG&E’s plans include robust mental health coverage and a separate Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Therapy and counseling: Covered for outpatient and inpatient care.
• Substance abuse treatment: Includes detox, structured outpatient programs, and inpatient care.
• No lifetime maximums: You don’t have to worry about running out of sessions.
• EAP: Free, confidential counseling for you and your family, even if you don’t enroll in medical coverage.

The EAP is especially valuable. It covers more than therapy sessions, it can connect you with resources for financial counseling, legal issues, or even child and elder care support.

Why it matters: Mental health care is often the first thing people delay when money is tight. Having it included as part of your benefits takes away that barrier.

PG&E’s Wellness Program: Building Healthy Habits

This is one of the hidden gems of the benefits package. PG&E partners with Provant Health Solutions to provide a comprehensive wellness program.

Here’s what you get:

• Health advocacy services: Help navigating claims, billing issues, or finding the right doctor.
• Annual health screenings: Check cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, and BMI.
• Tobacco cessation support: Free programs and incentives for quitting.
• Telephonic health coaching: One-on-one coaching to help you meet your health goals.
• Online health risk questionnaire & portal: Personalized recommendations and access to tools like meal plans and calorie trackers.
• Gym discounts: Savings for you and your family.

Incentives matter too. You can earn up to $500 in Health Account Credits for completing screenings and tobacco-free testing, money that offsets your future health costs.

Why it matters: These programs aren’t just “extras.” They’re designed to keep you healthier, lower your long-term medical costs, and help you build lasting habits.

Putting It All Together

PG&E’s health and wellness package goes far beyond “basic insurance.” Here’s the big picture:

• Medical: Strong coverage with flexibility to choose between Kaiser and Anthem.
• Dental & Vision: Preventive care plus coverage for your major needs.
• Mental Health & EAP: Comprehensive support for your emotional well-being.
• Wellness Program: Incentives and tools to keep you on track.

When you add it all up, these benefits are built to support the whole person, not just emergencies, but everyday living.

What I Usually Tell Clients

When I meet with PG&E employees, I often say:

“Don’t underestimate the value of your benefits. Most people have to piece together coverage like this on their own, and it costs a fortune. You already have a head start.”

The key is knowing how to use them well:

• Choose the right medical plan for your family.
• Stay on top of dental and vision checkups.
• Use your EAP before stress builds up.
• Take advantage of screenings and gym discounts.

They’re financial tools that protect your income, lower future costs, and help you retire with more security.

Action Step: Check Your Coverage Today

Ask yourself:

• Are you using your preventive care benefits every year?
• Have you set aside time for an annual wellness screening?
• Do you know how much your dental and vision plans cover?
• Have you talked to anyone through the EAP?

If you’re not sure, it may be time to sit down and review.

I’ve helped over a hundred PG&E employees understand and maximize these benefits. Once you see how they fit into your bigger retirement and financial picture, you’ll have a lot more confidence about the road ahead.

Let’s talk. I can help you make sure you’re not leaving any value on the table.