Benefits Basics

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Benefits That Come With A Job: Terms You Should Know

Understanding and selecting the right benefit plan from your employer.

Avatar photo

Avenica

Benefits that come with a job can be overwhelming, or even underwhelming when accepting your first role. Every employer is different, but we asked our benefits experts at Avenica to answer some of our FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Benefits That Come With A Job

What is a co-pay?

A co-pay is a set amount you pay upfront for certain services or prescriptions. Co-pays apply toward meeting your out-of-pocket maximum, but not your deductible.

What is deductible?

A deductible is the amount your pay each year before your insurance starts to pay. If you have a $1,000 deductible you would need to spend $1,000 on medical care before your insurance begins to cover it.

How much comes out of my paycheck?

Typically, what comes out of your paycheck via payroll deduction is your premium cost. The actual amount of your premium will vary based on the plan, the carrier, the employer cost-share, and other factors. Most times these payroll deductions are made on a pre-tax basis, so you’re paying for them before any federal, state, or other taxes are deducted from your paycheck.

How much is “normal” to pay for benefits?

There’s not really a “normal” amount to pay for benefits. Premium costs are determined for each plan using a variety of factors and can vary widely. Costs may be determined using state and federal guidelines, member experience ratings, location, and costs of service providers, in addition to other factors.

To understand the overall cost of your insurance you can consider: how much you’ll pay for premiums, how much you’d have to pay to meet a deductible, and what a normal office visit or prescription might cost. These will help you decide which coverages might be best for you and your personal health needs.

Costs are also often offset by employer contributions — generally, employers don’t fully cover benefits for employees but do offer some cost-sharing. This means both you and your employer pay a portion of your health insurance premiums. It’s a nice benefit if the employer’s share of the cost is higher than the employee’s share!

What should I look for in a benefits plan when I am accepting a role?

Employers attract talent partially through the job and the compensation offered, but also through the benefits package – which typically includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, and other benefits or perks, such as life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, or pet insurance. You might not need (or want) them all, but it’s nice to know what an employer is offering. It can be found in your official job offer or a question you ask the hiring manager during the interview process.

For medical insurance specifically, you might be interested in a low-cost, super basic health plan or you might be interested in a more comprehensive benefits plan for those “just-in-case” moments.

If you had healthcare needs that would require you to use your coverage more often (frequent prescription refills, regular office visits, etc.), then you’ll really want to pay attention to the out-of-pocket costs and deductible – you may be inclined to choose the plan that has a lower deductible or has a co-pay structure, rather than say, a High Deductible Health Plan.

Can I change my benefits or am I stuck?

Once you pick your benefits for the first time, you’re generally locked in for the duration of the plan year. There are some exceptions to when you can make benefit plan changes – these are called Qualifying Life Events (QLE’s). Examples of a QLE might be: losing coverage on a parent’s plan, getting married, getting divorced, having a baby, or gaining coverage through a new job. There are others, too, but these are standard life events that employees may experience throughout the course of a year that allows you to make corresponding mid-year benefit changes.

Outside of QLE’s, you generally have to wait until Open Enrollment – an annual period of time when plans are renewed, and employees are asked to re-evaluate and make changes for the next benefit plan year. Again, you’re locked into those elections than for the full plan year unless you experience a QLE and can make a mid-year change!

How much will I actually pay the doctor?

It depends on your plan and what you’re seeing the doctor for. Typically, preventive care visits (your annual physical or wellness exam) are covered at 100% – zero cost to you. If you’re referred for other tests and bloodwork, those elements of your visit may not be covered at 100% – you might have to pay out of pocket.  If you have a plan that offers a co-pay, then you typically pay the corresponding co-pay for that visit. If you have a co-insurance plan, then you typically pay the full cost of the visit or procedure. It really depends on what’s covered / what’s not covered under your plan and how things are coded by the medical provider. Reading the fine print is important.

Who can answer questions for me about my insurance?

Your health insurance carrier is a great resource if you want to talk about what’s covered or what’s not, and your HR department might be able to provide more detail as well. If you have benefits questions, ask the front desk for guidance on how to find out what’s covered.

What is co-insurance?

Co-insurance applies after your deductible is met – it’s your share of the costs of a covered health care service. For example, if you met your deductible, and your insurance plan pays 70% after the deductible is met, you pay 30% of health care costs between when your deductible is met and until your out-of-pocket maximum is met. The cost-share of the insurance plan’s responsibility and your responsibility is co-insurance.

What is an out-of-pocket maximum?

It’s the most you will pay for health care services covered by your insurance in a plan year. Once you reach your out-of-pocket maximum, your insurance pays 100% of any additional covered charges for the rest of the year.

What is preventive care?

Preventive care helps detect or prevent serious diseases and medical problems before they become major. This is different from diagnostic care, which is when your provider is looking for something specific to diagnose, often because of symptoms or based on results of a preventive test or screening.

Can I stay on my parent’s? Can I join my partner’s? Can I be on more than one plan?

Covered dependents can remain on a parent’s plan until the age of 26, which is when individuals typically age out of their parent’s plans and must seek coverage as an individual or join another plan.

You may join a spouse’s plan if you are legally married, and their plans allow for spousal coverage. You may be able to join a partner’s plan as a domestic partner — but this depends on the plan’s eligibility criteria. Each plan is unique, so I’d recommend always reviewing the plan documents or asking a trusted source like your carrier or the HR department for benefits questions.

While you can be on more than one plan, it’s uncommon. In instances where you are covered twice, the two plans work under what’s called “coordination of benefits.” This is where one plan pays as primary and the other pays as secondary. The pros and cons to this largely depend on the plans themselves, how they determine the coordination of benefits, and the costs to hold both plans.

Who can I include in my plan?

You can enroll qualified dependents onto your medical, dental, and vision plans. This could be your legally married spouse (or domestic partner, if eligible under the plan) and children.

If you’re looking for information on how to kickstart your career, contact Avenica or browse jobs today! We help our entry-level job seekers find positions that fit their expertise and career goals.

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Insights

Benefits That Come With A Job: Terms You Should Know

Understanding and selecting the right benefit plan from your employer.

Avatar photo

Avenica

Benefits that come with a job can be overwhelming, or even underwhelming when accepting your first role. Every employer is different, but we asked our benefits experts at Avenica to answer some of our FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Benefits That Come With A Job

What is a co-pay?

A co-pay is a set amount you pay upfront for certain services or prescriptions. Co-pays apply toward meeting your out-of-pocket maximum, but not your deductible.

What is deductible?

A deductible is the amount your pay each year before your insurance starts to pay. If you have a $1,000 deductible you would need to spend $1,000 on medical care before your insurance begins to cover it.

How much comes out of my paycheck?

Typically, what comes out of your paycheck via payroll deduction is your premium cost. The actual amount of your premium will vary based on the plan, the carrier, the employer cost-share, and other factors. Most times these payroll deductions are made on a pre-tax basis, so you’re paying for them before any federal, state, or other taxes are deducted from your paycheck.

How much is “normal” to pay for benefits?

There’s not really a “normal” amount to pay for benefits. Premium costs are determined for each plan using a variety of factors and can vary widely. Costs may be determined using state and federal guidelines, member experience ratings, location, and costs of service providers, in addition to other factors.

To understand the overall cost of your insurance you can consider: how much you’ll pay for premiums, how much you’d have to pay to meet a deductible, and what a normal office visit or prescription might cost. These will help you decide which coverages might be best for you and your personal health needs.

Costs are also often offset by employer contributions — generally, employers don’t fully cover benefits for employees but do offer some cost-sharing. This means both you and your employer pay a portion of your health insurance premiums. It’s a nice benefit if the employer’s share of the cost is higher than the employee’s share!

What should I look for in a benefits plan when I am accepting a role?

Employers attract talent partially through the job and the compensation offered, but also through the benefits package – which typically includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, and other benefits or perks, such as life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, or pet insurance. You might not need (or want) them all, but it’s nice to know what an employer is offering. It can be found in your official job offer or a question you ask the hiring manager during the interview process.

For medical insurance specifically, you might be interested in a low-cost, super basic health plan or you might be interested in a more comprehensive benefits plan for those “just-in-case” moments.

If you had healthcare needs that would require you to use your coverage more often (frequent prescription refills, regular office visits, etc.), then you’ll really want to pay attention to the out-of-pocket costs and deductible – you may be inclined to choose the plan that has a lower deductible or has a co-pay structure, rather than say, a High Deductible Health Plan.

Can I change my benefits or am I stuck?

Once you pick your benefits for the first time, you’re generally locked in for the duration of the plan year. There are some exceptions to when you can make benefit plan changes – these are called Qualifying Life Events (QLE’s). Examples of a QLE might be: losing coverage on a parent’s plan, getting married, getting divorced, having a baby, or gaining coverage through a new job. There are others, too, but these are standard life events that employees may experience throughout the course of a year that allows you to make corresponding mid-year benefit changes.

Outside of QLE’s, you generally have to wait until Open Enrollment – an annual period of time when plans are renewed, and employees are asked to re-evaluate and make changes for the next benefit plan year. Again, you’re locked into those elections than for the full plan year unless you experience a QLE and can make a mid-year change!

How much will I actually pay the doctor?

It depends on your plan and what you’re seeing the doctor for. Typically, preventive care visits (your annual physical or wellness exam) are covered at 100% – zero cost to you. If you’re referred for other tests and bloodwork, those elements of your visit may not be covered at 100% – you might have to pay out of pocket.  If you have a plan that offers a co-pay, then you typically pay the corresponding co-pay for that visit. If you have a co-insurance plan, then you typically pay the full cost of the visit or procedure. It really depends on what’s covered / what’s not covered under your plan and how things are coded by the medical provider. Reading the fine print is important.

Who can answer questions for me about my insurance?

Your health insurance carrier is a great resource if you want to talk about what’s covered or what’s not, and your HR department might be able to provide more detail as well. If you have benefits questions, ask the front desk for guidance on how to find out what’s covered.

What is co-insurance?

Co-insurance applies after your deductible is met – it’s your share of the costs of a covered health care service. For example, if you met your deductible, and your insurance plan pays 70% after the deductible is met, you pay 30% of health care costs between when your deductible is met and until your out-of-pocket maximum is met. The cost-share of the insurance plan’s responsibility and your responsibility is co-insurance.

What is an out-of-pocket maximum?

It’s the most you will pay for health care services covered by your insurance in a plan year. Once you reach your out-of-pocket maximum, your insurance pays 100% of any additional covered charges for the rest of the year.

What is preventive care?

Preventive care helps detect or prevent serious diseases and medical problems before they become major. This is different from diagnostic care, which is when your provider is looking for something specific to diagnose, often because of symptoms or based on results of a preventive test or screening.

Can I stay on my parent’s? Can I join my partner’s? Can I be on more than one plan?

Covered dependents can remain on a parent’s plan until the age of 26, which is when individuals typically age out of their parent’s plans and must seek coverage as an individual or join another plan.

You may join a spouse’s plan if you are legally married, and their plans allow for spousal coverage. You may be able to join a partner’s plan as a domestic partner — but this depends on the plan’s eligibility criteria. Each plan is unique, so I’d recommend always reviewing the plan documents or asking a trusted source like your carrier or the HR department for benefits questions.

While you can be on more than one plan, it’s uncommon. In instances where you are covered twice, the two plans work under what’s called “coordination of benefits.” This is where one plan pays as primary and the other pays as secondary. The pros and cons to this largely depend on the plans themselves, how they determine the coordination of benefits, and the costs to hold both plans.

Who can I include in my plan?

You can enroll qualified dependents onto your medical, dental, and vision plans. This could be your legally married spouse (or domestic partner, if eligible under the plan) and children.

If you’re looking for information on how to kickstart your career, contact Avenica or browse jobs today! We help our entry-level job seekers find positions that fit their expertise and career goals.

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Insights

Benefits That Come With A Job: Terms You Should Know

Understanding and selecting the right benefit plan from your employer.

Avatar photo

Avenica

Benefits that come with a job can be overwhelming, or even underwhelming when accepting your first role. Every employer is different, but we asked our benefits experts at Avenica to answer some of our FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Benefits That Come With A Job

What is a co-pay?

A co-pay is a set amount you pay upfront for certain services or prescriptions. Co-pays apply toward meeting your out-of-pocket maximum, but not your deductible.

What is deductible?

A deductible is the amount your pay each year before your insurance starts to pay. If you have a $1,000 deductible you would need to spend $1,000 on medical care before your insurance begins to cover it.

How much comes out of my paycheck?

Typically, what comes out of your paycheck via payroll deduction is your premium cost. The actual amount of your premium will vary based on the plan, the carrier, the employer cost-share, and other factors. Most times these payroll deductions are made on a pre-tax basis, so you’re paying for them before any federal, state, or other taxes are deducted from your paycheck.

How much is “normal” to pay for benefits?

There’s not really a “normal” amount to pay for benefits. Premium costs are determined for each plan using a variety of factors and can vary widely. Costs may be determined using state and federal guidelines, member experience ratings, location, and costs of service providers, in addition to other factors.

To understand the overall cost of your insurance you can consider: how much you’ll pay for premiums, how much you’d have to pay to meet a deductible, and what a normal office visit or prescription might cost. These will help you decide which coverages might be best for you and your personal health needs.

Costs are also often offset by employer contributions — generally, employers don’t fully cover benefits for employees but do offer some cost-sharing. This means both you and your employer pay a portion of your health insurance premiums. It’s a nice benefit if the employer’s share of the cost is higher than the employee’s share!

What should I look for in a benefits plan when I am accepting a role?

Employers attract talent partially through the job and the compensation offered, but also through the benefits package – which typically includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, and other benefits or perks, such as life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, or pet insurance. You might not need (or want) them all, but it’s nice to know what an employer is offering. It can be found in your official job offer or a question you ask the hiring manager during the interview process.

For medical insurance specifically, you might be interested in a low-cost, super basic health plan or you might be interested in a more comprehensive benefits plan for those “just-in-case” moments.

If you had healthcare needs that would require you to use your coverage more often (frequent prescription refills, regular office visits, etc.), then you’ll really want to pay attention to the out-of-pocket costs and deductible – you may be inclined to choose the plan that has a lower deductible or has a co-pay structure, rather than say, a High Deductible Health Plan.

Can I change my benefits or am I stuck?

Once you pick your benefits for the first time, you’re generally locked in for the duration of the plan year. There are some exceptions to when you can make benefit plan changes – these are called Qualifying Life Events (QLE’s). Examples of a QLE might be: losing coverage on a parent’s plan, getting married, getting divorced, having a baby, or gaining coverage through a new job. There are others, too, but these are standard life events that employees may experience throughout the course of a year that allows you to make corresponding mid-year benefit changes.

Outside of QLE’s, you generally have to wait until Open Enrollment – an annual period of time when plans are renewed, and employees are asked to re-evaluate and make changes for the next benefit plan year. Again, you’re locked into those elections than for the full plan year unless you experience a QLE and can make a mid-year change!

How much will I actually pay the doctor?

It depends on your plan and what you’re seeing the doctor for. Typically, preventive care visits (your annual physical or wellness exam) are covered at 100% – zero cost to you. If you’re referred for other tests and bloodwork, those elements of your visit may not be covered at 100% – you might have to pay out of pocket.  If you have a plan that offers a co-pay, then you typically pay the corresponding co-pay for that visit. If you have a co-insurance plan, then you typically pay the full cost of the visit or procedure. It really depends on what’s covered / what’s not covered under your plan and how things are coded by the medical provider. Reading the fine print is important.

Who can answer questions for me about my insurance?

Your health insurance carrier is a great resource if you want to talk about what’s covered or what’s not, and your HR department might be able to provide more detail as well. If you have benefits questions, ask the front desk for guidance on how to find out what’s covered.

What is co-insurance?

Co-insurance applies after your deductible is met – it’s your share of the costs of a covered health care service. For example, if you met your deductible, and your insurance plan pays 70% after the deductible is met, you pay 30% of health care costs between when your deductible is met and until your out-of-pocket maximum is met. The cost-share of the insurance plan’s responsibility and your responsibility is co-insurance.

What is an out-of-pocket maximum?

It’s the most you will pay for health care services covered by your insurance in a plan year. Once you reach your out-of-pocket maximum, your insurance pays 100% of any additional covered charges for the rest of the year.

What is preventive care?

Preventive care helps detect or prevent serious diseases and medical problems before they become major. This is different from diagnostic care, which is when your provider is looking for something specific to diagnose, often because of symptoms or based on results of a preventive test or screening.

Can I stay on my parent’s? Can I join my partner’s? Can I be on more than one plan?

Covered dependents can remain on a parent’s plan until the age of 26, which is when individuals typically age out of their parent’s plans and must seek coverage as an individual or join another plan.

You may join a spouse’s plan if you are legally married, and their plans allow for spousal coverage. You may be able to join a partner’s plan as a domestic partner — but this depends on the plan’s eligibility criteria. Each plan is unique, so I’d recommend always reviewing the plan documents or asking a trusted source like your carrier or the HR department for benefits questions.

While you can be on more than one plan, it’s uncommon. In instances where you are covered twice, the two plans work under what’s called “coordination of benefits.” This is where one plan pays as primary and the other pays as secondary. The pros and cons to this largely depend on the plans themselves, how they determine the coordination of benefits, and the costs to hold both plans.

Who can I include in my plan?

You can enroll qualified dependents onto your medical, dental, and vision plans. This could be your legally married spouse (or domestic partner, if eligible under the plan) and children.

If you’re looking for information on how to kickstart your career, contact Avenica or browse jobs today! We help our entry-level job seekers find positions that fit their expertise and career goals.

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Insights

Benefits That Come With A Job: Terms You Should Know

Understanding and selecting the right benefit plan from your employer.

Avatar photo

Avenica

Benefits that come with a job can be overwhelming, or even underwhelming when accepting your first role. Every employer is different, but we asked our benefits experts at Avenica to answer some of our FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Benefits That Come With A Job

What is a co-pay?

A co-pay is a set amount you pay upfront for certain services or prescriptions. Co-pays apply toward meeting your out-of-pocket maximum, but not your deductible.

What is deductible?

A deductible is the amount your pay each year before your insurance starts to pay. If you have a $1,000 deductible you would need to spend $1,000 on medical care before your insurance begins to cover it.

How much comes out of my paycheck?

Typically, what comes out of your paycheck via payroll deduction is your premium cost. The actual amount of your premium will vary based on the plan, the carrier, the employer cost-share, and other factors. Most times these payroll deductions are made on a pre-tax basis, so you’re paying for them before any federal, state, or other taxes are deducted from your paycheck.

How much is “normal” to pay for benefits?

There’s not really a “normal” amount to pay for benefits. Premium costs are determined for each plan using a variety of factors and can vary widely. Costs may be determined using state and federal guidelines, member experience ratings, location, and costs of service providers, in addition to other factors.

To understand the overall cost of your insurance you can consider: how much you’ll pay for premiums, how much you’d have to pay to meet a deductible, and what a normal office visit or prescription might cost. These will help you decide which coverages might be best for you and your personal health needs.

Costs are also often offset by employer contributions — generally, employers don’t fully cover benefits for employees but do offer some cost-sharing. This means both you and your employer pay a portion of your health insurance premiums. It’s a nice benefit if the employer’s share of the cost is higher than the employee’s share!

What should I look for in a benefits plan when I am accepting a role?

Employers attract talent partially through the job and the compensation offered, but also through the benefits package – which typically includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, and other benefits or perks, such as life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, or pet insurance. You might not need (or want) them all, but it’s nice to know what an employer is offering. It can be found in your official job offer or a question you ask the hiring manager during the interview process.

For medical insurance specifically, you might be interested in a low-cost, super basic health plan or you might be interested in a more comprehensive benefits plan for those “just-in-case” moments.

If you had healthcare needs that would require you to use your coverage more often (frequent prescription refills, regular office visits, etc.), then you’ll really want to pay attention to the out-of-pocket costs and deductible – you may be inclined to choose the plan that has a lower deductible or has a co-pay structure, rather than say, a High Deductible Health Plan.

Can I change my benefits or am I stuck?

Once you pick your benefits for the first time, you’re generally locked in for the duration of the plan year. There are some exceptions to when you can make benefit plan changes – these are called Qualifying Life Events (QLE’s). Examples of a QLE might be: losing coverage on a parent’s plan, getting married, getting divorced, having a baby, or gaining coverage through a new job. There are others, too, but these are standard life events that employees may experience throughout the course of a year that allows you to make corresponding mid-year benefit changes.

Outside of QLE’s, you generally have to wait until Open Enrollment – an annual period of time when plans are renewed, and employees are asked to re-evaluate and make changes for the next benefit plan year. Again, you’re locked into those elections than for the full plan year unless you experience a QLE and can make a mid-year change!

How much will I actually pay the doctor?

It depends on your plan and what you’re seeing the doctor for. Typically, preventive care visits (your annual physical or wellness exam) are covered at 100% – zero cost to you. If you’re referred for other tests and bloodwork, those elements of your visit may not be covered at 100% – you might have to pay out of pocket.  If you have a plan that offers a co-pay, then you typically pay the corresponding co-pay for that visit. If you have a co-insurance plan, then you typically pay the full cost of the visit or procedure. It really depends on what’s covered / what’s not covered under your plan and how things are coded by the medical provider. Reading the fine print is important.

Who can answer questions for me about my insurance?

Your health insurance carrier is a great resource if you want to talk about what’s covered or what’s not, and your HR department might be able to provide more detail as well. If you have benefits questions, ask the front desk for guidance on how to find out what’s covered.

What is co-insurance?

Co-insurance applies after your deductible is met – it’s your share of the costs of a covered health care service. For example, if you met your deductible, and your insurance plan pays 70% after the deductible is met, you pay 30% of health care costs between when your deductible is met and until your out-of-pocket maximum is met. The cost-share of the insurance plan’s responsibility and your responsibility is co-insurance.

What is an out-of-pocket maximum?

It’s the most you will pay for health care services covered by your insurance in a plan year. Once you reach your out-of-pocket maximum, your insurance pays 100% of any additional covered charges for the rest of the year.

What is preventive care?

Preventive care helps detect or prevent serious diseases and medical problems before they become major. This is different from diagnostic care, which is when your provider is looking for something specific to diagnose, often because of symptoms or based on results of a preventive test or screening.

Can I stay on my parent’s? Can I join my partner’s? Can I be on more than one plan?

Covered dependents can remain on a parent’s plan until the age of 26, which is when individuals typically age out of their parent’s plans and must seek coverage as an individual or join another plan.

You may join a spouse’s plan if you are legally married, and their plans allow for spousal coverage. You may be able to join a partner’s plan as a domestic partner — but this depends on the plan’s eligibility criteria. Each plan is unique, so I’d recommend always reviewing the plan documents or asking a trusted source like your carrier or the HR department for benefits questions.

While you can be on more than one plan, it’s uncommon. In instances where you are covered twice, the two plans work under what’s called “coordination of benefits.” This is where one plan pays as primary and the other pays as secondary. The pros and cons to this largely depend on the plans themselves, how they determine the coordination of benefits, and the costs to hold both plans.

Who can I include in my plan?

You can enroll qualified dependents onto your medical, dental, and vision plans. This could be your legally married spouse (or domestic partner, if eligible under the plan) and children.

If you’re looking for information on how to kickstart your career, contact Avenica or browse jobs today! We help our entry-level job seekers find positions that fit their expertise and career goals.

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Insights

Benefits That Come With A Job: Terms You Should Know

Understanding and selecting the right benefit plan from your employer.

Avatar photo

Avenica

Benefits that come with a job can be overwhelming, or even underwhelming when accepting your first role. Every employer is different, but we asked our benefits experts at Avenica to answer some of our FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Benefits That Come With A Job

What is a co-pay?

A co-pay is a set amount you pay upfront for certain services or prescriptions. Co-pays apply toward meeting your out-of-pocket maximum, but not your deductible.

What is deductible?

A deductible is the amount your pay each year before your insurance starts to pay. If you have a $1,000 deductible you would need to spend $1,000 on medical care before your insurance begins to cover it.

How much comes out of my paycheck?

Typically, what comes out of your paycheck via payroll deduction is your premium cost. The actual amount of your premium will vary based on the plan, the carrier, the employer cost-share, and other factors. Most times these payroll deductions are made on a pre-tax basis, so you’re paying for them before any federal, state, or other taxes are deducted from your paycheck.

How much is “normal” to pay for benefits?

There’s not really a “normal” amount to pay for benefits. Premium costs are determined for each plan using a variety of factors and can vary widely. Costs may be determined using state and federal guidelines, member experience ratings, location, and costs of service providers, in addition to other factors.

To understand the overall cost of your insurance you can consider: how much you’ll pay for premiums, how much you’d have to pay to meet a deductible, and what a normal office visit or prescription might cost. These will help you decide which coverages might be best for you and your personal health needs.

Costs are also often offset by employer contributions — generally, employers don’t fully cover benefits for employees but do offer some cost-sharing. This means both you and your employer pay a portion of your health insurance premiums. It’s a nice benefit if the employer’s share of the cost is higher than the employee’s share!

What should I look for in a benefits plan when I am accepting a role?

Employers attract talent partially through the job and the compensation offered, but also through the benefits package – which typically includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, and other benefits or perks, such as life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, or pet insurance. You might not need (or want) them all, but it’s nice to know what an employer is offering. It can be found in your official job offer or a question you ask the hiring manager during the interview process.

For medical insurance specifically, you might be interested in a low-cost, super basic health plan or you might be interested in a more comprehensive benefits plan for those “just-in-case” moments.

If you had healthcare needs that would require you to use your coverage more often (frequent prescription refills, regular office visits, etc.), then you’ll really want to pay attention to the out-of-pocket costs and deductible – you may be inclined to choose the plan that has a lower deductible or has a co-pay structure, rather than say, a High Deductible Health Plan.

Can I change my benefits or am I stuck?

Once you pick your benefits for the first time, you’re generally locked in for the duration of the plan year. There are some exceptions to when you can make benefit plan changes – these are called Qualifying Life Events (QLE’s). Examples of a QLE might be: losing coverage on a parent’s plan, getting married, getting divorced, having a baby, or gaining coverage through a new job. There are others, too, but these are standard life events that employees may experience throughout the course of a year that allows you to make corresponding mid-year benefit changes.

Outside of QLE’s, you generally have to wait until Open Enrollment – an annual period of time when plans are renewed, and employees are asked to re-evaluate and make changes for the next benefit plan year. Again, you’re locked into those elections than for the full plan year unless you experience a QLE and can make a mid-year change!

How much will I actually pay the doctor?

It depends on your plan and what you’re seeing the doctor for. Typically, preventive care visits (your annual physical or wellness exam) are covered at 100% – zero cost to you. If you’re referred for other tests and bloodwork, those elements of your visit may not be covered at 100% – you might have to pay out of pocket.  If you have a plan that offers a co-pay, then you typically pay the corresponding co-pay for that visit. If you have a co-insurance plan, then you typically pay the full cost of the visit or procedure. It really depends on what’s covered / what’s not covered under your plan and how things are coded by the medical provider. Reading the fine print is important.

Who can answer questions for me about my insurance?

Your health insurance carrier is a great resource if you want to talk about what’s covered or what’s not, and your HR department might be able to provide more detail as well. If you have benefits questions, ask the front desk for guidance on how to find out what’s covered.

What is co-insurance?

Co-insurance applies after your deductible is met – it’s your share of the costs of a covered health care service. For example, if you met your deductible, and your insurance plan pays 70% after the deductible is met, you pay 30% of health care costs between when your deductible is met and until your out-of-pocket maximum is met. The cost-share of the insurance plan’s responsibility and your responsibility is co-insurance.

What is an out-of-pocket maximum?

It’s the most you will pay for health care services covered by your insurance in a plan year. Once you reach your out-of-pocket maximum, your insurance pays 100% of any additional covered charges for the rest of the year.

What is preventive care?

Preventive care helps detect or prevent serious diseases and medical problems before they become major. This is different from diagnostic care, which is when your provider is looking for something specific to diagnose, often because of symptoms or based on results of a preventive test or screening.

Can I stay on my parent’s? Can I join my partner’s? Can I be on more than one plan?

Covered dependents can remain on a parent’s plan until the age of 26, which is when individuals typically age out of their parent’s plans and must seek coverage as an individual or join another plan.

You may join a spouse’s plan if you are legally married, and their plans allow for spousal coverage. You may be able to join a partner’s plan as a domestic partner — but this depends on the plan’s eligibility criteria. Each plan is unique, so I’d recommend always reviewing the plan documents or asking a trusted source like your carrier or the HR department for benefits questions.

While you can be on more than one plan, it’s uncommon. In instances where you are covered twice, the two plans work under what’s called “coordination of benefits.” This is where one plan pays as primary and the other pays as secondary. The pros and cons to this largely depend on the plans themselves, how they determine the coordination of benefits, and the costs to hold both plans.

Who can I include in my plan?

You can enroll qualified dependents onto your medical, dental, and vision plans. This could be your legally married spouse (or domestic partner, if eligible under the plan) and children.

If you’re looking for information on how to kickstart your career, contact Avenica or browse jobs today! We help our entry-level job seekers find positions that fit their expertise and career goals.

Avenicast | Episode 8: Spotlight on Olivia Brandt of Willis Towers Watson

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Avenicast | Episode 8: Spotlight on Olivia Brandt of Willis Towers Watson

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Avenica

On this episode of Avenicast, Olivia Brandt and Scott Dettman discuss how they translated their collegiate athletic experiences into the workplace. They also explore the value of making time for relationships and being willing to learn from failures.

“Follow your interests. If you’re passionate it will resonate.” – Olivia Brandt

Olivia Brandt didn’t plan to go into the pharmaceutical industry. After hearing her friend mention it, she figured why not try? Throughout college she was set on taking the classes she found interesting, which led her all the way through pharmaceutical school.

Her first job was with Target, as a manager in the store’s pharmaceutical department. She shares the huge learning curve she faced in creating relationships within the busy nature of retail and how she wishes she would have had a mentor during the time just after college graduation.

As former collegiate athletes, Olivia and Scott compare notes and dive into how to best use those skills learned in the professional setting. This episode even touches on the lessons Olivia and Scott have learned from popular sports shows like The Last Dance and Ted Lasso.

By continuing to build on her experiences, Olivia is now a pharmaceutical consultant at Willis Towers Watson Health and Benefits. She is impacting lives on a large scale. When signing up for benefits it’s likely your company will have someone like Olivia helping to make your decisions.

Listen now to hear all the details of Olivia’s post college career path!

   

About Avenica

Through conversation, high-impact coaching, and best-in-class support, we translate and meet the needs of our client partners by identifying and transforming potential into high-performing professionals. At Avenica, we are working from the inside out to embrace diverse thought and perspectives while actively working to dismantle systems of oppression and implicit bias. With a deeply-held belief in human potential, we transform lives and enable organizations to achieve new heights.

If you’re interested in partnering with us to develop or hire your workforce, let’s talk. If you’re a job seeker, please join our network to connect with an Avenica Account Manager.

Avenicast | Episode 7: Spotlight on Julie McCallum of Inspire Medical Systems

Insights

Avenicast | Episode 8: Spotlight on Olivia Brandt of Willis Towers Watson

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Avenica

On this episode of Avenicast, Olivia Brandt and Scott Dettman discuss how they translated their collegiate athletic experiences into the workplace. They also explore the value of making time for relationships and being willing to learn from failures.

“Follow your interests. If you’re passionate it will resonate.” – Olivia Brandt

Olivia Brandt didn’t plan to go into the pharmaceutical industry. After hearing her friend mention it, she figured why not try? Throughout college she was set on taking the classes she found interesting, which led her all the way through pharmaceutical school.

Her first job was with Target, as a manager in the store’s pharmaceutical department. She shares the huge learning curve she faced in creating relationships within the busy nature of retail and how she wishes she would have had a mentor during the time just after college graduation.

As former collegiate athletes, Olivia and Scott compare notes and dive into how to best use those skills learned in the professional setting. This episode even touches on the lessons Olivia and Scott have learned from popular sports shows like The Last Dance and Ted Lasso.

By continuing to build on her experiences, Olivia is now a pharmaceutical consultant at Willis Towers Watson Health and Benefits. She is impacting lives on a large scale. When signing up for benefits it’s likely your company will have someone like Olivia helping to make your decisions.

Listen now to hear all the details of Olivia’s post college career path!

   

About Avenica

Through conversation, high-impact coaching, and best-in-class support, we translate and meet the needs of our client partners by identifying and transforming potential into high-performing professionals. At Avenica, we are working from the inside out to embrace diverse thought and perspectives while actively working to dismantle systems of oppression and implicit bias. With a deeply-held belief in human potential, we transform lives and enable organizations to achieve new heights.

If you’re interested in partnering with us to develop or hire your workforce, let’s talk. If you’re a job seeker, please join our network to connect with an Avenica Account Manager.

What Can I Do With My Liberal Arts Degree?

Congratulations! You’ve graduated with your Liberal Arts degree and it’s time to pick a career. But what can you do with your degree?

We get asked this question routinely and our answer is always the same.

“So many things!”

A Liberal Arts degree is designed to provide scholars with a wide range of skills and experiences to build critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. This type of degree is comprised of the humanities, arts, and sciences. While some believe that this type of degree is less focused and therefore less valuable, we couldn’t disagree more.

In a job market like we have today, having a broad range of skills and the ability to think critically is often looked at favorably by employers. Especially those who are not looking for specific trade roles. If an employer has the option of hiring one person who could potentially advise, communicate, or collaborate across many areas of business effectively versus hiring multiple people with more specific skill sets, which do you think they would prefer?

So, what can you do with a Liberal Arts degree?

Here are a few of the top Liberal Arts careers we see our candidates considered and selected for:

  1. Analyst
  2. Behavioral Health Advocate
  3. Business Analyst
  4. Communications Specialist
  5. Data Analyst
  6. Financial Analyst
  7. Graphic Designer
  8. Human Resources Representative
  9. Human Resources Specialist
  10. Journalist
  11. Marketing Analyst
  12. Marketing Representative
  13. Marketing Specialist
  14. Mental Health Advocate
  15. Public Relations Specialist
  16. Project Manager
  17. Social Worker
  18. Statistician
  19. Teacher
  20. Technical Writer

We’ve seen more and more individuals joining our network with Liberal Arts degrees. Recently, individuals with additional, specialized training are being hired for more specialized or technical roles thanks to their ability to communicate complex topics and data with a wide array of individuals.

Some of these Liberal Arts careers include:

  • Data Scientist
  • Engineer

This list is not a complete representation of where your Liberal Arts degree can take you on your career journey but paints a picture to show you just how you can apply it to a variety of industries and roles. The sky’s the limit. We’re here to help you take the next step.

About Avenica

Through conversation, high-impact coaching, and best-in-class support, we translate and meet the needs of our client partners by identifying and transforming potential into high-performing professionals. At Avenica, we are working from the inside out to embrace diverse thought and perspectives while actively working to dismantle systems of oppression and implicit bias. With a deeply-held belief in human potential, we transform lives and enable organizations to achieve new heights.

If you’re interested in partnering with us to develop or hire your workforce, let’s talk. If you’re a job seeker, apply now!

Scott Dettman Featured on BBC Worklife

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Why inexperienced workers can’t get entry-level jobs | Scott Dettman featured on BBC Worklife

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Avenica

Avenica CEO Scott Dettman was featured in the BBC Worklife article “Why inexperienced workers can’t get entry-level jobs” to share his expert insights on why the requirements for entry level positions have changed over the past few decades.

Read the full article HERE.

About Avenica

Through conversation, high-impact coaching, and best-in-class support, we translate and meet the needs of our client partners by identifying and transforming potential into high-performing professionals. At Avenica, we are working from the inside out to embrace diverse thought and perspectives while actively working to dismantle systems of oppression and implicit bias. With a deeply-held belief in human potential, we transform lives and enable organizations to achieve new heights.

If you’re interested in partnering with us to develop or hire your workforce, let’s talk. If you’re a job seeker, please apply now

The Ultimate Workplace Dress Code Guide

Insights

Avenicast | Episode 8: Spotlight on Olivia Brandt of Willis Towers Watson

Avatar photo

Avenica

On this episode of Avenicast, Olivia Brandt and Scott Dettman discuss how they translated their collegiate athletic experiences into the workplace. They also explore the value of making time for relationships and being willing to learn from failures.

“Follow your interests. If you’re passionate it will resonate.” – Olivia Brandt

Olivia Brandt didn’t plan to go into the pharmaceutical industry. After hearing her friend mention it, she figured why not try? Throughout college she was set on taking the classes she found interesting, which led her all the way through pharmaceutical school.

Her first job was with Target, as a manager in the store’s pharmaceutical department. She shares the huge learning curve she faced in creating relationships within the busy nature of retail and how she wishes she would have had a mentor during the time just after college graduation.

As former collegiate athletes, Olivia and Scott compare notes and dive into how to best use those skills learned in the professional setting. This episode even touches on the lessons Olivia and Scott have learned from popular sports shows like The Last Dance and Ted Lasso.

By continuing to build on her experiences, Olivia is now a pharmaceutical consultant at Willis Towers Watson Health and Benefits. She is impacting lives on a large scale. When signing up for benefits it’s likely your company will have someone like Olivia helping to make your decisions.

Listen now to hear all the details of Olivia’s post college career path!

Smart Casual

Smart Casual in a nutshell means casual with touches of business wear. It is one step more casual than Business Casual and one step more formal than Casual. Offices that look for Smart Casual as a standard are often looking for:

  • Dark denim, free of holes or rips + a blazer or blouse on top
  • Chinos, a skirt or dressier pants + a solid colored tee and accessories
  • Closed-toed shoes

Business Casual

Business Casual is a bit more tailored than Smart Casual and typically does not allow for denim. With this style attire, ties and blazers are not included. Think: dress pants, skirts and button-down tops and blazers without the formal elements.

Elements of Business Casual dress often include:

  • Dress pants/skirts/dresses
  • Blouse/button-up shirts/sweater
  • Closed-toed shoes

Business Professional

When you think Business Professional, the easiest way to imagine it would be straight out of a Mad Men episode… but 2021. Business Professional attire is commonly required in the banking, government and legal industries but not limited to them. It is the most formal of the three most-common dress-codes.

  • Business Professional attire includes:
  • Suit (jacket and pants/skirt)
  • Solid colored button-up top
  • Closed-toed shoes

As you can see, each dress-code has its own formula. The only constant among all of these? Closed-toed shoes. This is often not just a preference but a health and safety standard for many companies. When in doubt, ask your boss for their definition of the dress-code and ask for an example.

Working from home? That’s a whole other story but the basics remain true. Be sure what you wear meets your company’s policies and/or dress-code for what you can see on screen if utilizing video conferencing. From the waist down we are fans of sweatpants and fuzzy slippers.

Don’t forget to always iron or steam your clothes to make the ultimate impression. Happy outfit planning!

About Avenica

Through conversation, high-impact coaching, and best-in-class support, we translate and meet the needs of our client partners by identifying and transforming potential into high-performing professionals. At Avenica, we are working from the inside out to embrace diverse thought and perspectives while actively working to dismantle systems of oppression and implicit bias. With a deeply-held belief in human potential, we transform lives and enable organizations to achieve new heights.

If you’re interested in partnering with us to develop or hire your workforce, let’s talk. If you’re a job seeker, please join our network to connect with an Avenica Account Manager.

Arch Advisory Group has joined forces with Avenica. You can learn about Arch Advisory Group and its services at thinkaag.com

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