Office of Human Resources

After-Tax Dollars (Deductions) The cost of your Individual Choice selections that are deducted from your pay after your taxes have been calculated.

Base Pay — Projected annual earnings, excluding any overtime or other compensation.

Before-Tax Dollars (Reductions) — The cost of your Individual Choice selections that are deducted from your pay before your taxes have been calculated.

Beneficiary — The person(s) whom you designate to receive your accident and/or life insurance benefit(s) upon your death.

Benefit Credits — The dollars you receive from Ithaca College that you apply to the cost of your benefits or that you choose to deposit in a flexible spending account or health savings account.

Cashable Credits — A separate cash amount you receive from Ithaca College if you choose to decline medical coverage because you have coverage elsewhere. You can use this amount to purchase other benefits, to deposit in a flexible spending account, or to have added to your taxable pay.

Coinsurance — The balance of covered charges, after you meet any deductible, that is not paid by the medical or dental plan.

Copay — A small, predetermined amount you pay for selected services at the time the service is rendered when you use preferred (network) providers. The co-payment applies to office visits, outpatient mental health/substance-abuse visits, emergency visits, and prescription drugs.

Deductible — The dollar amount of covered expenses that you have to pay each calendar year before your medical plan pays benefits (does not include copays).

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account — An individual account you fund on a before-tax basis to pay for eligible dependent care expenses.

Evidence of Insurability — Certification of good health, including medical history, that is required to add coverage or to increase coverage levels for certain benefits during subsequent enrollment periods.

Explanation of Benefits — A description from the insurance carrier of covered/not-covered charges mailed to you once your claim for benefits has been processed.

Explanation of Payment — A statement from the insurance carrier that summarizes the activity in your flexible spending account(s).

Gross Pay — Your pay before your taxes and before-tax deductions for Individual Choice or any other deductions have been calculated.

Health Care Flexible Spending Account — An individual account you fund on a before-tax basis to pay for eligible health care expenses.

Health Savings Account - a tax-sheltered trust account that you own for the purpose of paying qualified medical expenses for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents.

High Deductible Health Plan - a health plan product that, when combined with a Health Savings Account (HSA), provides insurance coverage and a tax-advantaged way to help save for future medical expenses.

In-Network Providers — Physicians, hospitals, and other providers who belong to the health plan network. When you use network providers, you maximize your benefits and minimize your expenses.

Individual Choice — Ithaca College's flexible benefits program that lets you customize your benefits by choosing from a number of options.Life-Status Changes—Special occurrences in your life (e.g., marriage, divorce, birth) that may permit you to make changes in your Individual Choice elections during the year.

Net Pay — The amount of pay remaining after all taxes, Individual Choice costs, and other deductions are calculated.

Out-of-Network Providers — Physicians, hospitals, and other providers who are not members of the health plan network. When you use out-of-network providers, their costs and your expenses are generally higher.

Out-of-Pocket Maximum — The most you have to spend in a calendar year before the medical option you elect pays 100 percent of all remaining covered reasonable and customary expenses. (This includes the deductible but does not include co-payments.) Please note there are separate out-of-pocket limits for in-network and out-of-network charges under all medical plans.

Preadmission Certification — The requirement to contact the insurance carrier for pre-approval of all hospital admissions in order to receive full plan benefits.

Preexisting Condition — A medical condition for which you were treated or which was diagnosed before your benefits coverage became effective.

Primary Care Physician (PCP) — A physician you select who is responsible for coordinating your health care.

Qualified Domestic Partner — Same-sex sole domestic partners who are jointly responsible for each other's common welfare and share financial obligations.

Qualified Medical Expense – medical expenses include amounts paid for medical care as defined by Internal Revenue Code Section 213(d).

Reasonable and Customary Limits — The amount ordinarily charged by most doctors, dentists, or health care facilities in the same geographical area for comparable health care services.

Tax Credit — A credit you may apply to your federal taxes if you have dependent care expenses while you work. The allowable credit for which you are eligible is based on income.