You're eligible for benefits, now what?
Step 1
Learn about Cowles Company's benefits by reviewing your benefits guide and/or taking our guided benefits tour.
Step 2
Plan for your future by reviewing your retirement options.
Step 3
Enroll in your benefits when you've made your decisions during your enrollment window.
Note: after your enrollment eligibility period has ended, you will not be able to enroll in benefits/make certain changes until our annual open enrollment, or if you experience a qualified life event.
Let's Get Started!
Below you will find our guided benefits tour.
Click on each option to review your benefit options. For detailed descriptions, please refer to the benefits guide located in the main menu.
At Cowles Company we value your contributions to our success and want to provide you with a benefits package that protects your health and helps your financial security, now and in the future. We continually look for valuable benefits that support your needs, whether you are single, married, raising a family, or thinking ahead to retirement. We are committed to giving you the resources you need to understand your options and how your choices could affect you financially.
This guide is an overview and does not provide a complete description of all benefits. For more detailed information, please refer to your plan booklet, or summary plan descriptions.
Term Bank
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MEDICAL
Medical coverage provides you with benefits that help keep you healthy, like preventative care screenings and access to urgent care. It also provides peace of mind.
We offer three* medical plans to suit your specific situation.
*Kaiser Permanente HMO is available only in WA & ID.
In Network Coverage | Kaiser Permanente HMO | UMR Medical PPO 680 | UMR Medical PPO 1360 |
|---|---|---|---|
Annual Deductible | $340 per Individual $1,020 Family | $680 per Individual $2,040 Family | $1360 per Individual $4,080 Family |
Annual Out-of-Pocket Max | $2,380 per Individual $7,140 Family | $2,040 per individual $6,120 family limit | $2,720 per individual $8,160 family limit |
Lifetime Max | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Preventative Services | $25 copay Plan pays 100% after copay | $25 copay then plan pays 100% (see contract for limitations) | $25 copay then plan pays 100% (see contract for limitations) |
Office Visit | Primary Care Provider $30 copay Plan pays 100% after copay Specialist $40 copay Plan pays 100% after copay | Primary Care Provider $30 copay Plan pays 100% after copay Specialist $40 copay Plan pays 100% after copay | Primary Care Provider $30 copay Plan pays 100% after copay Specialist $55 copay Plan pays 100% after copay |
Chiropractic Care | $40 copay Plan pays 100% after copay (Max 10 visits/yr) | $40 copay Plan pays 100% after copay (Max 12 visits/yr) | $55 copay Plan pays 100% after copay (Max 12 visits/yr) |
Imaging & Labs | Plan pays 100% | Plan pays 100% | Plan pays 100% |
Inpatient Hospitalization | 80% after Deductible | 80% after Deductible | 80% after Deductible |
Outpatient Surgery | 80% after Deductible | 80% after Deductible | 80% after Deductible |
Urgent Care | $30 copay Plan pays 100% after copay | $30 copay Plan pays 100% after copay | $30 copay Plan pays 100% after copay |
Emergency Room | Designated Facility: $75 copay, 80% after Deductible Non-Designated: $125 copay, 80% after Deductible | 80% after Deductible | 80% after Deductible |
RX
Prescription drug coverage provides a benefit that is important to your overall health, whether you need a prescription for a short-term health issue like bronchitis or an ongoing condition like high blood pressure. Here are the prescription drug benefits that are included with our medical plans.
*Kaiser Permanente HMO is available only in WA & ID.
VISION
Routine vision exams can not only correct vision, but also detect more serious health conditions. When you enroll in a medical plan, you are provided with a corresponding vision plan through Kaiser Permanente or UMR.
DENTAL
Regular visits to your dentists can protect more than your smile; they can help protect your health. Recent studies have linked gum disease to damage elsewhere in the body and dentists are able to screen for oral symptoms of many other diseases including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Summary of Benefits
Delta Dental PPO
FSA! What is a Flexible Spending Account?
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a special account you put money into that you use to pay for certain out-of-pocket health care costs. You don’t pay taxes on this money. This means you’ll save an amount equal to the taxes you would have paid on the money you set aside.
FSA Facts
- You may deposit up to $3,050 each year. If you’re married, your spouse can put up to $3,050 in an FSA with their employer too.
- You can use funds in your FSA to pay for certain medical and dental expenses for you, your spouse if you’re married, and your dependents. You can spend FSA funds to pay deductibles and copayments, but not for insurance premiums.
- You can spend FSA funds on prescription medications, as well as over-the-counter medicines with a doctor's prescription. Reimbursements for insulin are allowed without a prescription.
- FSAs may also be used to cover costs of medical equipment like crutches, supplies like bandages, and diagnostic devices like blood sugar test kits.
Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
Enrolling in a dependent care FSA plan allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible dependent care FSA expenses such as eligible expenses related to care for your child, disabled spouse, elderly parent, or other dependent who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care, such as elder care, day care, preschool, or after-school care for a qualified individual.
You may contribute up to $5,000 in a calendar year to this account, depending upon your individual tax status. Eligible expenses are daycare expenses for your dependent(s) under age 13, or any disabled legal dependent that is unable to take care of themselves.
This can include parents, if they are your legal dependent and live with you for at least eight hours a day. To be eligible, the care must be necessary in order to work because you are a single parent, or your spouse is employed outside of the home, a full-time student, or unable to care for him/herself due to a disability.
IMPORTANT: A dependent care FSA is used to pay for eligible dependent care expenses for the care of a qualified individual. It is not used to pay for health care expenses incurred by a qualified individual.
What are some common FSA eligible expenses? Glad you asked!
While we're here, take a look a common ineligible expenses:
A 401 what? ... K!
To help plan for retirement, Cowles Company provides employees with a 401k plan, allowing you to save money on a tax-deferred basis (you don't pay taxes on this money until you begin taking withdraws).
How does a 401k work?
Contributions: The plan allows you to contribute from 1-100% (up to the IRS annual maximum) of your salary per pay period on a pre-tax or post-tax (Roth 401k) basis, once you’ve satisfied the eligibility waiting period (90 days) and age requirement (21).
You may invest your contributions in any combination of 20+ investment options available through our 401(k) plan administrator, Principal Financial Group.
Changes to your payroll contribution percentage or investment re-allocations can be done via telephone (1-800-547-7754) or the Internet (www.principal.com).
Suspension of contributions is permitted at any time and you may re-enter any month thereafter.
Automatic Enrollment & Annual Auto Increase:
This plan also includes an automatic contribution arrangement. You will be automatically enrolled in the 401(k) plan at the time you become eligible, meaning 2% of your pay will be deducted from paychecks and contributed to the retirement plan on your behalf unless you elect a different salary deferral percentage or opt out of this provision. The plan also includes an automatic salary deferral increase provision. Salary deferral contributions for automatically enrolled participants will automatically be increased by 1% every January up to 8% of pay. If you do not provide direction as to how contributions made on your behalf should be directed, then contributions will be directed to the appropriate Principal LifeTime portfolio as the default investment option.
Distributions: Distributions may be made due to termination of employment, death, disability or retirement. As each type of distribution is different, you will want to make sure you check into the tax consequences with your tax advisor.
At Cowles Company, we understand that life can throw us curveballs. That's why we've partnered with additional vendors to bring you the tools needed to navigate everyday challenges and changes.
CollegeBoundFund (Section 529)
We offer the convenience of payroll deduction for 529 college savings programs, which are qualified state tuition programs. This feature allows you to effortlessly contribute to a college savings plan directly from your paycheck, assisting in a direct and consistent investment.
Supplemental Life Insurance
Cowles Company also offers you the option to purchase additional term life insurance through The Standard. You may elect to supplement the company-paid term life insurance with additional coverage for you, your spouse, or dependent child(ren). (Please note: the EOI (Evidence of Insurability) is waived only during your first enrollment opportunity.)
IDShield/LegalShield
We've partnered with IDShield and LegalShield to help our employees empower themselves through proactive services. LegalShield includes advice & consultations, Document Preparations, Family Matters, IRS Audit Assistance, and more!
Phishing is at an all-time high. IDShield protects your privacy and personal information in case of Identity Theft.
They also protect you against cyber crimes and reputation hijacking.
Keep your finances on track when an accident happens.
At Cowles Company we want to ensure our employees understand they're important to us, that's why we offer additional benefits at no cost to you!
Employee Assistance Program
Cowles Company pays the full cost of the Employee Assistance Program which provides confidential, professional service for personal problems, short-term problem resolution, counseling and referrals for you and your dependent family members and/or household members. Counseling services are confidential and no information about you or the issues you are discussing with your counselor is disclosed to your employer. The EAP plan is offered through KEPRO.
The EAP is designed to assist employees and their family members. With free services to deal primarily with any personal problem the employee or their family is experiencing that may be affecting their health, work performance, or well-being.
Business Travel Accident Insurance
Cowles Company pays the full cost of Business Travel Accident Insurance, which covers you in the event you die or become disabled while traveling on company business. The death benefit under this plan is $100,000 for all eligible employees.
Basic Term Life Insurance
Cowles Company pays the full cost of basic life insurance coverage for eligible employees. In case of your death, this plan will pay your named beneficiary one times your annualized earnings with a maximum benefit of $300,000. See Additional Term Life insurance information for supplemental coverage. Certificates are available upon request from Human Resources
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
Cowles Company pays the full cost of this plan which accompanies the life insurance policy. In effect, it doubles the face value of your policy if you die in an accident. It also pays certain benefits for the loss of hands, feet or eyes due to an accident.
Long Term Disability Insurance
Long-Term Disability (LTD) coverage pays you a certain percentage of your income if you can't work because an injury or illness prevents you from performing any of your job functions over a long time. It's important to know that benefits are reduced by income from other benefits you might receive while disabled, like workers' compensation and Social Security. Cowles Company pays for this coverage. Certificates are available upon request from Human Resources.
Coverage is provided by Standard Insurance Group.
Now that you've reviewed your available benefits, lets cover some basics.
New Hire/Newly Eligible
As a new hire, your benefits will be effective on the 1st of the month following your 60th day of employment.
Example:
Alex was hired July 21st, benefits became effective October 1st.
If you've recently become eligible for benefits, HR will provide you a detailed deadline for your enrollment.
Saving for Retirement
Employees that are a minimum of 21 yrs of age are eligible to enroll in our 401k plan after 90 days of employment.
Cowles Company matches your contributions! That's FREE money for your retirement.
Please refer to your specific company's benefits guide for details.
Saving for Retirement
Employees that are a minimum of 21 yrs of age are eligible to enroll in our 401k plan after 90 days of employment.
Cowles Company matches your contributions! That's FREE money for your retirement.
Please refer to your specific company's benefits guide for details.
Saving for Retirement
Employees that are a minimum of 21 yrs of age are eligible to enroll in our 401k plan after 90 days of employment.
Cowles Company matches your contributions! That's FREE money for your retirement.
Please refer to your specific company's benefits guide for details.
Ready to Enroll? Click the button below to access your enrollment forms.