Group Insurance Environment - Essay Example

The Group Insurance Environment AMB’s wellness programs AMB medical plan has several plans. PPO (Preferred provider Organization) for example PPO requires one to select Primary Care Physicians (PCP) for most services (AMB 2). When one visits providers within the network, one is covered in full. However, one may choose to receive care from other providers who do not necessarily participate in the PPO, but will pay a higher percentage of the cost (AMB 3). Primary Care Physicians (PCP) is whereby one selects physicians to be in charge of medical care.

However, one is not required to select a PCP in situations where services are provided through PPO plan. Some of the programs offered include preventive services, emergency services, alcohol and substance abuse, mental health services, pregnancy and maternity care, and emergency services. Dental care is provided through Delta Dental. This depends on the choice of network by the employee. In this case, the employee may visit any dentist of choice but the maximum benefits are available when the employee chooses Delta provider (AMB 6).

Vision care benefits provide eye coverage. However, one is required to use Vision Service Plan (VSP) (AMB 7).2) Identify the following benefits as either a form of “Group Insurance” or “Self-Funding” Benefits: Retirement Plans, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPP), and Stock Grants.a. Retirement PlansApart from the security benefits of today, AMB assists employees to plan for their future by allowing employees to save toward their retirement. Employees contributions are automatically deducted their paycheck on a pretax basis (AMB 4).b. Employee-Assistance Program (EAP) AMB also provides Employee-Assistance Program (EAP) to all eligible employees and their eligible dependants, free of charge.

This includes confidential counseling and referral services for issues that may affect employees’ personal life or even job performance (AMB 5). They help in areas like marital problems, emotional or stress related issues, drug abuse, child and elder care, financial assistance, and legal matters. c. Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPP)Apart from the above mentioned services, new employees are awarded an option of purchasing shares of AMB stock.d. Stock grants In addition, anniversary stock grants are also awarded to the employees. 3) Voluntary benefits AMB also provides voluntary benefits in terms of education and training programs in support of professional development of employees.

They provide employees with tuition fees, seminar reimbursement programs and conferences. 4) AMB’s funding methodAMB arranges for flexible spending accounts (FSAs). This allows employees to pay their care expenses with pretax dollars. When employees enroll in FAS, the amount they select is deducted from their paycheck on a pretax basis.5) The federally mandated benefits in AMB’s planFederally mandated benefits in AMB’s plan includes paying less in taxes since employees healthcare contributions are subtracted from their gross pay before federal and social and security taxes are withheld.

Works cited:(AMB). AMBenefits Summary. Available at www.arlengroup.com/enroll/amb.html, 2010.