Voluntary Benefits

This type of life insurance does not build any cash value. However, it will pay a set amount to the named beneficiary upon the death of insured within the stated term. Additionally, some policies may also make payments upon terminal or critical illness.

Accidents can happen anytime. Thus, Accident insurance helps to protect employees from financial hardship due to a great deal of medical and out-of-pocket expenses that follow accidental injuries. For example, emergency treatment, hospital stays, medical exams, transportation and lodging needs are just a few of the expenses that accident insurance can help cover. In fact, some policies can even pay benefits in as little as one day, based on time of claim submission.

National surveys have shown that Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability remain of high importance for most employees. Thus, savvy employers attract and retain top talent by offering both STD and LTD insurance as part of the employer paid benefit package. Additionally, an employer can offer Disability as a voluntary (worksite) benefit. Here’s how Disability plans typically work.

Short Term Disability

During the time an employee is unable to work due to a qualifying disability (illness or injury), STD generally allows for income payments to the employee to begin after about a two-week waiting period. Accordingly, the payments will continue to pay the employee until he/she recovers or maxes out the benefits. Thus, this time period is usually anywhere between one month to two years, depending on the policy.

Long Term Disability

During the time an employee is unable to work due to a qualifying disability (illness or injury), LTD generally allows for income payments to the employee to begin after about a 90-day waiting period. However, it could be much longer depending on the policy. The policy will pay the employee far longer than STD–for a few years, up to age 65, or even for life.

Dental Plans

Regular dental exams help employees stay healthier and more productive in the work place. Simple routine visits to the dentist, which are usually covered 100% by insurers, help to detect serious underlying conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The National Association of Dental Plans and the Centers for Disease Control have performed studies that show that employees with Dental Insurance plans have better attitudes and are less likely to suffer from depression, a common condition in today’s fast-paced world.

Dental Plans offer a variety of diagnostic, preventative care and corrective services including cleanings, exams, x-rays, fillings, root canals, orthodontia for children, and emergency care while traveling.

Vision Plans

Similar to dental policies, vision plans are inexpensive and save money on eye and vision related healthcare services. This includes routine exams, eyeglass frames and lenses, contacts, and even discounts on procedures like LASIK. Monitoring your eye health with regular exams also helps to prevent serious eye diseases like glaucoma and cataracts. An eye exam also helps to detect early stages of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Group Long-Term Care plans are becoming an increasingly common voluntary benefit offered by employers today. The prospect of long-term care is one of the most important issues your employees may have to face. The cost of long-term care is expensive and generally not covered by other employee benefits, disability or even Medicare.  If someone requires long-term care, it is not just an emotional strain but a financial one as well.  An employees retirement savings and overall financial position could be affected.

Why Group LTC?

Savvy employers know that access to additional resources can increase employee productivity when confronted with managing long-term care situations. Long-Term Care plans demonstrate to your current and prospective employees that your company cares about them. Thus, you also increase your ability to attract and retain the very best talent.

LTC plans provide benefits for care through nursing homes, assisted living centers, home health care and adult day care.

Employers can provide a base benefit while giving the employees the opportunity to buy up the policy. Thus, they can obtain the level of coverage that they need for their families.

Surviving critical illness is becoming increasingly common with the advances in modern medical technology. This special type of coverage can help reduce the personal financial impact of the cost of fighting the disease. Additionally, it will help keep up with everyday bills through that process.  If you have a health insurance plan and/or disability insurance, a Critical Care Plan or Cancer Plan will provide benefits in addition to your other coverage.

Some key features include:

• Lump-sum cash benefit paid directly to you.
• You decide how best to spend your payment.
• No network restrictions.
• Benefit level choices to fit your needs and budget.
• Simple plan options for your needs and budget.

Unlike a traditional major medical plan that reimburses you or pays directly to a provider for approved hospital stays and medical care, a Hospital Indemnity Plan pays a lump-sum payment directly to the insured. The cash payment helps with out-of-pocket expenses and covers you when you are off work due to a hospital stay. The coverage is usually a set amount per day, per week, per month, or per visit depending on the benefit level selected.

Final expense insurance is designed to help protect your loved ones from the financial burden of funeral costs related to your passing. Unlike life insurance, final expense policies have a much lower face value because they are intended to only cover costs related to a person’s final expenses. Therefore, these policies can often be purchased at low or reasonable premiums.

Features include:

• Premiums do not increase, ever
• As long as make you premium payment, policies will remain effective
• Guaranteed death benefit