Salary, Health Insurance and Employee Benefits
HMO, PPO, COBRA, 401(k), deductibles, company matches, and flex accounts-what does it all mean? The Internet offers critical tools such as benefits comparison and educational tools, blogs, articles, e-books, and newsletters filled with fresh ideas, in addition to legislative news and updates. In this guide, we'll highlight some of the best HR benefits help on the Web.
Expand All Guide SectionsSalary
Money may not buy happiness, but it sure does buy a whole lot of other important things. To make ... read more »
Understanding Employee Benefits
Your company can offer you the absolute best employee benefits plan available, but if you don't ... read more »
Alternatives to The Company Employee Benefits Plan
Employee benefits are a cornerstone of corporate employee-recruitment and retention strategies. But the growing cost of employee health care has caused consumers to seek out innovative solutions outside of blindly relying on their employers' health plan, and it pays to be informed.
Dulcinea's Insight
- If you're shopping for a new insurance plan outside what your employer may (or may not) offer, it will pay to know some insurance-related vocabulary when you shop for new coverage. MedPlan Access furnishes this comprehensive health insurance glossary.
- Shop around for better deals in health care and retirement benefits. However, keep in mind that a "good deal" in health care, for instance, doesn't apply only to the premiums. Other factors to consider include deductibles, waiting periods, and how comprehensive the insurance is. The Internet has made comparison-shopping easier than ever before.
- Save money through savvy benefits shopping. Thousands of dollars are wasted each year because some employees don't consider all of the options before enrolling in their company's plans. You may choose a traditional health insurance plan through independent providers or the newer Health Savings Account option, which allows better control of health spending. Independent health care has an added benefit in that it allows employees to change jobs with less hassle.
- Be aware of health insurance alternatives and other benefits protection in the event you lose your job. Check the "Legal Advice on Employee Benefits" section for additional helpful Web sites.
- Don't have health coverage from your company? Some unions allow their members the option of buying into a health insurance plan for less than you might pay on your own. Check the Web sites of unions that are specific to your profession for details about rates and coverage. For links to unions, see the findingDulcinea Professional Networking Web Guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
For information about health plan tips and tools...
U.S. Department of Labor Health Benefits Advisor
discusses job loss and its effects on your health-care coverage. You'll learn about COBRA, Medicaid, and SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program), among others.
eHealthInsurance
lets you compare and review insurance plans offered by providers in your local area. Type in your zip code and some basic information about yourself, and the site retrieves the "Best Seller" plans, presented in a convenient side-by-side arrangement that enables you to compare features quickly. If you have questions about insurance plans, see if they've been answered in the "Common Questions" section.
To learn about pensions, life insurance, and 401(k)'s...
New York Life Insurance Company
explains the principal of "pension maximization," which offers a method of supporting a spouse financially if the person to whom the pension belongs passes away. Visit the related articles that discuss life insurance, retirement, and beneficiary information. You'll also find tools such as life insurance and retirement calculators, and a retirement planner.
Employment Digest
has suggested some alternatives to dipping into your 401(k) in the event you lose your job. There are other methods of paying your expenses than relying on funds generated from previous job benefits, as this article explains.
Legal Advice on Employee Benefits
You might think that many employee benefits are just "perks," and for the most part, ... read more »
Employee Benefits' Rules and Regulations
Developments in the state and national government have a tremendous effect on daily employee life, ... read more »
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
