Glossary

What does that even mean?

A quick reference guide to benefits insurance terminology.

  • Payroll Contributions

    The amount you pay out of each payroll for your share of insurance plan premiums.


  • Premium

    The gross monthly cost of each benefit insurance product.

  • Deductible

    The amount you pay out-of-pocket prior to the plan beginning payments. Typically, a deductible does not include copayments.

  • Embedded Deductible

    If you enroll dependents, each person has their own deductible to satisfy until the family collectively meats their family deductible maximum.

  • Non-Embedded Deductible

    If you cover dependents, the individual deductible does not apply. Rather, each person’s inititial expenses combine and accumulate towards a family deductible.

  • Copay

    A small charge amount you pay at the place of medical, pharmacy, dental, or vision services.

  • Coinsurance

    A percentage of shared expense between you and the  plan before the plan begins paying 100% of all charges.


  • Out-of-Pocket-Maximum

    A specific dollar amount, after which the insurance plan begins paying 100% of charges for the remainder of the plan year. All out-of-pocket expenses, including copays, deductibles, and your coinsurance combine to accumulate towards the out-of-pocket maximum.

  • Premium

    The gross monthly cost of each benefit insurance product.


  • PPO

    Preferred Provider Organization. Specifically, the list of providers contracted with the plan to provide care at contracted discounts off regular billed charges.

  • HPN

    High-performance Network (HPN). This is a limited, narrowed PPO - meaning, fewer providers available - that provides care at deeper discounts.

  • Qualifying Event

    Specific life events that, if occuring mid-plan year, permit you to make changes in your plan elections. Marriage, divorce, birth, and adoption are examples of Qualifying Events.

  • Plan Year

    The specific date range of an insurance plan’s 12-months of coverage. Typically, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums are reset at the beginning of each plan year.

  • HSA

    Health Savings Account. A dedicated bank account associated with a Qualified High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). An HSA permits tax-free deposits and tax-free spending on eligible expenses.


  • FSA

    Flexible Spending Account. A personal spending account that permits automatic tax-free deposits per payroll, that can be used, tax-free, for eligible expenses.

  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

    Like the FSA, but used specifically for expenses related to caring for eligible dependents during your work hours.

  • Virtual Care

    Medical services providided via only or mobile video access.


  • Contribution Match

    A calculation where SCAN matches your own contributions to your 401(k) retirement savings plan.