Thank you for everything you do every day toward achieving our vision:
To build iconic brands that consumers believe in, customers trust, and team members are proud of.
To help all of us win, we want to make sure that you and your families take care of their health and other employee benefit needs. We do this by providing access to a wide array of insurance plans. Our health insurance plans reflect the need for people to receive both preventive health care, and when required, high-quality specialized treatments.
Like many companies across the country, ACG received notice of a very large increase in our health insurance premium for 2026. The initial increase from Blue Cross/Blue Shield was 36% more than its 2025 cost because over the past two years, some of our team members and their families have endured significant health challenges resulting in exceptionally high claim costs. At the same time, medical inflation has risen due to continued improvements in technology and new pharmaceuticals.
Working with a team of benefits experts, ACG developed plans to defray portions of the increase while also assuring you that your weekly payroll deductions will not increase. In fact, for the fourth consecutive year, ACG is holding the line on your weekly contributions to the cost of health care!
At the same time deductibles and co-insurance will increase, depending on your enrollment elections. ACG will also sponsor a new plan, at its expense, that helps you by reimbursing some of the increased out-of-pocket expenses. Yet, even with plan adjustments, ACG’s costs will increase by 23%. Absorbing this increase is integral to ACG’s commitment to you and your family.
Please review this guide, attend an open enrollment meeting and ask questions of the People Team, so that you can make informed decisions about your employee benefits plans.
On behalf of your Leadership Team, thanks again for your support. Together, we are ONE ACG.
Sincerely,
Jackie Werblo Chief People Officer
2026 Alliance Consumer Group Guide to Employee Benefits
Helpful Information
Employee Response Center
Employee benefits can be complicated. The Higginbotham Employee Response Center (ERC) is available to assist you with the following:
Benefits information
Claims or billing questions
Eligibility issues
Call or text 866-419-3518 to speak with a representative Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CT. If you leave a message after 3:00 p.m., your call or text will be returned the next business day. Bilingual representatives are also available. Email your benefit questions or requests to helpline@higginbotham.net.
Eligibility
You are eligible for benefits if you are a regular, fulltime employee working an average of 30 hours per week. Your coverage is effective the first of the month following your date of hire. You may also enroll eligible dependents for benefits coverage. The cost to you for dependent coverage depends on the number of dependents you enroll and the particular plans you choose. When covering dependents, you must select and be on the same plans.
Availability of Summary Health Information
Your plan offers four health coverage options (four options if you live in Southern California). To help you make an informed choice and compare your options, a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) for each health coverage option is available in UKG Pro.
Eligible Dependents Include
Your legal spouse
Children under the age of 26, regardless of student, dependency, or marital status
Children over the age of 26 who are fully dependent on you for support due to a mental or physical disability and who are indicated as such on your federal tax return
Qualifying Life Events
Your benefit elections remain in effect for the entire plan year until the following Open Enrollment. You may only change coverage during the plan year if you have a Qualifying Life Event, and you must do so within 31 days of the event.
Marriage, divorce, legal separation, or annulment
Birth, adoption, or placement for adoption of an eligible child
Death of a spouse or child
Change in your spouse’s employment that affects benefits eligibility
Change in your child’s eligibility for benefits (e.g., reaching the age limit, loss of coverage under Medicaid or CHIP)
Change in residence that affects your eligibility for coverage
Significant change in benefit plan coverage or cost for you, your spouse, or your child
FMLA event, COBRA event, court judgment, or decree
Becoming eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE
Receiving a Qualified Medical Child Support Order
If you have a Qualifying Life Event and want to request a midyear change, you must notify the People Team and complete your election changes within 31 days of the event. Be prepared to provide documentation to support the Qualifying Life Event.
Medical Coverage
Why would I enroll in the HDHP/HSA plan over the PPO?
Current Situation on the PPO:
100% of your premiums are paid to BCBSTX, regardless if you use the plan or not.
Then, you pay copays, deductible, and coinsurance up to the out-ofpocket maximum.
You will pay twice as much if you are covering dependents.
The PPO medical plans do not offer the tax-advantaged HSA.
The medical plan options through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) protect you and your family from major financial hardship in the event of illness or injury. You have a choice of four plans, based on where you live:
Kaiser HMO (in Southern California only)
HDHP with HSA
Base PPO
Buy-Up PPO
High Deductible Health Plan
A High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) allows you the freedom to see any provider when you need care. However, you will pay less if you use in-network providers. In exchange for a lower per-paycheck cost, you must satisfy a higher deductible that applies to almost all health care expenses, including those for prescription drugs. The plan pays 80% for health care expenses once you meet your deductible and covers the cost of all services at 100% after you meet your out-of-pocket maximum. Preventive care is covered at 100%. If you enroll in the HDHP, you may be eligible to open a Health Savings Account (HSA) (see page 10).
Preferred Provider Organization
A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan also allows you the freedom to see any provider when you need care. When you use in-network providers, you receive benefits at a discounted network cost. You may pay more for services if you use out-of-network providers. The Base PPO plan has a $5,000 individual and $10,000 family innetwork deductible. The Buy-Up PPO plan has a $2,000 individual and $4,000 family in-network deductible. Office visits, urgent care visits, and prescription drugs are covered with a copay. Preventive care is covered at 100%. Most other services are covered at the coinsurance level after you have met your deductible.
Kaiser HMO – Southern California Employees Only
If you are an employee in Southern California, you also have a Kaiser HMO available to you and your family. The HMO has in-network benefits only, including a $750 individual and $1,500 family deductible. Office visits, diagnostic lab and X-rays, urgent care visits, and prescription drugs are covered with a copay. Most other services are covered at 80% after you have met the deductible.
Find a BCBSTX Provider
To find a list of preferred providers, visit www.bcbstx.com or call 800-521-2227.
Find a Kaiser Provider
To find a list of preferred providers, visit www.kp.org or call 800-464-4000.
Medical Plan Comparison
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HealthJoy
ACG partners with HealthJoy to provide you with ondemand help with your employee benefits. HealthJoy offers a platform for you to continually interact with your benefits, make better health care decisions, and save money. Coaching is provided through the app by JOY, HealthJoy’s virtual assistant. Download the HealthJoy app to your mobile device to access HealthJoy services.
HealthJoy’s easy-to-use app gives you access to medical services such as:
Medical and behavioral care:
$0 for online general consultation
$25 for mental health therapy consultation
$59 for nutritionist consultation
$85 for dermatology consultation
A health care concierge.
Medical bill reviews and support.
Expert provider and facility recommendations.
Prescription savings review to identify lower-cost medication alternatives.
Digital Benefits Wallet
File all your benefit cards in one place, for easy accessibility.
Benefits Description
Access to your medical plan’s summary in an easy-toread format.
Access Teladoc through HealthJoy
Teladoc is the new provider for virtual care services through HealthJoy. Virtual health care is available 24/7 through Teladoc Health within the HealthJoy app. NOTE: If you currently use MeMD for virtual care through HealthJoy, you will need to check and update your settings to ensure you access Teladoc — not MeMD —through the HealthJoy app in 2026.
Kaiser medical participants should use Kaiser for telemedicine consults. All other HealthJoy benefits are available to all participants (benefits wallet, concierge services, and EAP).
For best service, use the HealthJoy mobile app or call 877-500-3212
HealthJoy Employee Assistance Program
At some point in your life, you may need help in balancing home and work issues. The HealthJoy Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers guidance and referrals to expert resources for a variety of issues that you may be facing every day. These may include anxiety, depression, relationship issues, work-related stress, anger management, substance abuse, and more.
Legal Assist – free phone or in-person legal consultation
Financial Assist – expert financial planning and consultation
Family Assist – consultation and referrals for everyday issues (home improvement, pet care, dependent, or eldercare)
The EAP offers different ways to obtain support, such as digital group support, individual in-person or digital support, and digital behavioral health through its Navigator and Animo services. Textcoach is also available if you prefer to get personalized coaching by text.
24/7 Support
Call 888-731-3EAP (3327)
Visit www.eap.healthjoy.com
Text support to 51230
Email support@mysupportportal.com Call 911 for medical crisis situations.
Health Savings Account
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is more than a way to help you and your family cover health care costs – it is also a tax-exempt tool to supplement your retirement savings and cover health expenses during retirement. An HSA can provide the funds to help pay current health care expenses as well as future health care costs.
A type of personal savings account, an HSA, is always yours even if you change health plans or jobs. The money in your HSA (including interest and investment earnings) grows tax-free and spends tax-free if used to pay for qualified medical expenses. There is no “use it or lose it” rule — you do not lose your money if you do not spend it in the calendar year — and there are no vesting requirements or forfeiture provisions. The account automatically rolls over year after year.
HSA Bank is the health savings account administrator. You will need to log into www.hsabank.com for account information.
HSA Eligibility
You are eligible to open and contribute to an HSA if you:
Are enrolled in an HSA-eligible HDHP
Are not covered by another plan that is not a qualified HDHP, such as your spouse’s health plan
Are not enrolled in a Health Care Flexible Spending Account
Are not eligible to be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return
Do not have current coverage with Medicare and TRICARE
Have not received Veterans Administration benefits
You can use the money in your HSA to pay for qualified medical expenses now or in the future. You can also use HSA funds for your spouse and dependents’ health care expenses, even if they are not covered by the HDHP.
Maximum Contributions
Your HSA contributions may not exceed the annual maximum amount established by the Internal Revenue Service. The annual contribution maximum for 2026 is based on the coverage option you elect:
Individual: $4,400
Family: $8,750
You decide whether to use the money in your account to pay for qualified expenses or let it grow for future use. If you are age 55 or older, you may make a yearly catch-up contribution of up to $1,000 to your HSA. If you turn 55 at anytime during the plan year, you are eligible to make the catch-up contribution for the entire plan year.
ACG is contributing $200 a year to your HSA. The IRS maximums illustrated above do not reflect the ACG contribution. You will need to adjust your personal contribution accordingly.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) allow you to set aside pretax dollars from each paycheck to pay for certain IRS-approved health and dependent care expenses. Higginbotham administers our FSAs.
Health Care FSA
The Health Care FSA covers qualified medical, dental, and vision expenses for you or your eligible dependents. You may contribute up to $3,400 annually to a Health Care FSA and you are entitled to the full election from day one of your plan year. Eligible expenses include:
Dental and vision expenses
Medical deductibles and coinsurance
Prescription copays
Hearing aids and batteries
You may not contribute to a Health Care FSA if you enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA).
Limited Purpose Health Care FSA
A Limited Purpose Health Care FSA is available if you enrolled in the HDHP medical plan and contribute to an HSA. You can use a Limited Purpose Health Care FSA to pay for eligible out-of-pocket dental and vision expenses only.
How the Health Care and Limited Purpose Health Care FSAs Work
You can access the funds in your FSA two different ways:
Use your Higginbotham Benefits Debit Card to pay for qualified expenses, doctor visits, and prescription copays.
Pay out-of-pocket and submit your receipts for reimbursement by fax, email, or online:
Fax – 866-419-3516
Email – flexclaims@higginbotham.net
Online – https://flexservices.higginbotham.net
Higginbotham Benefits Debit Card
The Higginbotham Benefits Debit Card gives you immediate access to funds in your Health Care FSA when you make a purchase without needing to file a claim for reimbursement. If you use the debit card to pay anything other than a copay amount, you will need to submit an itemized receipt or an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). If you do not submit your receipts, you will receive a request for substantiation. You will have 60 days to submit your receipts after receiving the request for substantiation before your debit card is suspended. Check the expiration date on your card to see when you should order a replacement card(s).
Flexible Spending Accounts
Dependent Care FSA
The Dependent Care FSA helps pay for expenses associated with caring for elder or child dependents so you or your spouse can work or attend school full-time. You can use the account to pay for daycare or babysitter expenses for your children under age 13 and qualifying older dependents, such as dependent parents. Reimbursement from your Dependent Care FSA is limited to the total amount deposited in your account at that time. To be eligible, you (and your spouse, if married) must be gainfully employed, looking for work, a full-time student, or incapable of self-care.
Things to Consider Regarding the Dependent Care FSA
Overnight camps are not eligible for reimbursement (only day camps can be considered).
If your child turns 13 midyear, you may only request reimbursement for the part of the year when the child is under age 13.
You may request reimbursement for care of a spouse or dependent of any age who spends at least eight hours a day in your home and is mentally or physically incapable of self-care.
The dependent care provider cannot be your child under age 19 or anyone claimed as a dependent on your income taxes.
Important FSA Rules
The maximum per plan year you can contribute to a Health Care FSA is $3,400.
The maximum per plan year you can contribute to a Dependent Care FSA is $7,500 for single individuals and married couples filing jointly, or $3,750 if married filing separately.
You cannot change your election during the year unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event.
You can continue to file claims incurred during the plan year for another 90 days.
Your Health Care FSA debit card can be used for health care expenses only. It cannot be used to pay for dependent care expenses.
The IRS has amended the “use it or lose it” rule to allow you to carry over up to $680 in your Health Care FSA into the next plan year. The carry-over rule does not apply to your Dependent Care FSA.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Higginbotham Portal
The Higginbotham Portal provides information and resources to help you manage your FSAs.
Access plan documents, letters and notices, forms, account balances, contributions, and other plan information
Update your personal information
Utilize Section 125 tax calculators
Look up qualified expenses
Submit claims
Request a new or replacement Benefits Debit Card
Register on the Higginbotham Portal
Visit https://flexservices.higginbotham.net and click Register. Follow the instructions and scroll down to enter your information.
Enter your Employee ID, which is your Social Security number with no dashes or spaces.
Follow the prompts to navigate the site.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact Higginbotham:
Phone – 866-419-3519
Email – flexclaims@higginbotham.net
Fax – 866-419-3516
Most medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not covered by your health plan (such as copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, eyeglasses, and doctor-prescribed over-the-counter medications)
Dental and vision care expenses that are not covered by your health plan (such as eyeglasses, contacts, LASIK eye surgery, fillings, X-rays, and braces)
Dependent care expenses (such as daycare, afterschool, or eldercare programs) so you and your spouse can work or attend school full-time
Higginbotham Flex Mobile App
Easily access your Health Care FSA on your smartphone or tablet with the Higginbotham mobile app. Search for Higginbotham in your mobile device’s app store and download as you would any other app.
View Accounts – See detailed account and balance information.
Card Activity – View debit card activity.
SnapClaim – File a claim and upload receipt photos directly from your smartphone.
Manage Subscriptions – Set up email notifications to keep up-to-date on all account and Health Care FSA debit card activity.
Log in using the same username and password you use to log in to the Higginbotham Portal.
Note: You must register on the Higginbotham Portal in order to use the mobile app.
Maximum contribution is $7,500 per year ($3,750 if married and filing separate tax returns)
Reduces your taxable income
Health Reimbursement Arrangement
A Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) is an employerfunded benefit that helps pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses. The Company defines the eligible expenses as the increase in deductible, between 2025 and 2026, up to $1,500, in total, per employee or family.
This means the ACG HRA will reimburse a portion of the deductible for the medical plan in which you are enrolled, which exceeds the 2025 deductible. The only portion that is eligible for partial reimbursement is the amount in excess of the 2025 deductible.
Here is how the HRA works:
HRA reimburses eligible expenses above the 2025 deductible (amounts over $1,000), up to $500 per family. Effective net deductible increase is $500 after HRA reimbursement.
BCBSTX Resources
Blue Access for Members
Blue Access for Members (BAM) is the secure BCBSTX member website. Using this website you can:
Check the status of your claims and your claims history
Confirm which family members are covered under your plan
View and print Explanation of Benefits (EOB) claims statements
Locate an in-network provider
Request a new or replacement member ID card or print a temporary member ID card
And much more
To get started, log on at www.bcbstx.com. Use the information on your BCBSTX ID card to complete the registration process.
Well onTarget
The Well onTarget program is designed to give you the support you need to make healthy choices. With Well onTarget, you have access to a secure website with personalized tools and resources, including:
Onmytime self-directed courses
Health and wellness libraries
Well onTarget includes:
Tools and trackers
Onmyway health assessment
Fitness program
A Health Assessment with questions to help you learn more about your health. After you take the assessment, you will receive a personal and confidential wellness report, which offers you tips for living your healthiest life.
Blue Points Program – You earn points instantly for participating in wellness activities. You can then redeem your points in the online shopping mall.
Blue365 – Discounts to Make Health and Wellness More Affordable
Blue365 helps you save money on health and wellness products and services that are not covered by insurance. There are no claims to file and no referrals or preauthorization are needed. Once you sign up for Blue365 at www.blue365deals.com/BCBSTX , weekly featured deals will be emailed to you. Available discounts include:
Davis Vision | TruVision – Eyewear and LASIK
TruHearing | Beltone – Hearing test and hearing aids
Procter & Gamble dental products – Oral B and Crest products
Dental Solutions – Dental discount card
Jenny Craig | Nutrisystem – Weight loss
Reebok | SKECHERS – Footwear
And more
Fitness Program – This is a flexible membership program that gives you unlimited access to a nationwide network of more than 10,000 fitness locations. You can choose one location near home and one near work. You can also visit locations while you are on vacation or traveling for work. You can search for locations online and track your visits. Other perks include:
No long-term contract – Monthly fees are $25 per member per month with a one-time enrollment fee of $25 per member. Fees are paid via automatic credit card or bank withdrawals.
Blue Points – Receive 2,500 points for joining the program and earn additional point for weekly visits.
Health and wellness discounts – You can save money through a nationwide network of alternative medicine providers, such as acupuncturists, massage therapists, and personal trainers.
To access the Well onTarget member portal, log on at www.wellontarget.com or call 888-762-BLUE (2583). If you have already registered on www.bcbstx.com, you will use the same login information. If not, you can register on this site.
Customer Service is available at 877-806-9380
BCBSTX Resources
Blue Care Connection – Nurseline
BCBSTX has registered nurses available to help you 24/7. They can answer your health questions and help you decide whether you should go to the emergency room, urgent care center, or make an appointment with your doctor. Call Nurseline at 800-581-0393
Omada
If you are at risk of diabetes and/or high blood pressure, Omada helps you change the habits that put you most at risk for developing a chronic condition. A virtual care team will work with you to create a program to reduce your risk, build healthy habits, and lose weight — and it is all at $0 cost to you! You will receive weekly support and connect with a small group of peers, all from the comfort of your own home. If you have any health claims that show you may be at risk for diabetes or high blood pressure, Omada will reach out to you directly. Visit www.omadahealth.com/bcbstx
BCBSTX Mobile App
The BCBSTX mobile app can help you stay organized and in control of your health – anytime, anywhere. Log in from your mobile device to:
Track your account balances and deductibles
View, fax, or email ID card information
Find doctors, dentists, or pharmacies
Refill your BCBSTX home delivery prescriptions and view order history
View medication costs based on your plan and search for lower, cost-saving alternatives
Text BCBSTXAPP to 33633 or search your mobile device’s app store to download the BCBSTX app.
Dental Coverage
Our dental plan helps you maintain good oral health through affordable options for preventive care, including regular checkups and other dental work. Coverage is provided through Guardian using the PPO DentalGuard Preferred network.
DPPO Plan
Two levels of benefits are available with the DPPO plan: in-network and out-of-network. You may select the dental provider of your choice, but your level of coverage may vary based on the provider you see for services. You could pay more if you use an out-of-network provider.
Visit www.guardiananytime.com or call 888-482-7342
Children to age 26 and adults
1 Payment for covered services received from an out-of-network dentist is based on the 90th percentile of Usual, Customary, and Reasonable (UCR) charges.
²The amount you pay after the deductible is met.
Vision Coverage
Our vision plan provides quality care to help preserve your health and eyesight. In addition to identifying vision and eye problems, regular exams can detect certain medical issues, such as diabetes and high cholesterol. You may seek care from any licensed optometrist, ophthalmologist, or optician, but plan benefits are better if you use an in-network provider. The vision plan is provided through Guardian using the VSP Vision Network
Visit www.guardiananytime.com or call 888-482-7342
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Contacts (in lieu of Frames/Lenses)
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If you enroll in one of the four medical plans, the vision premiums will be covered by ACG.
Life and AD&D Insurance
Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance are important parts of your financial security, especially if others depend on you for support. With Life insurance, your beneficiary(ies) can use the coverage to pay off your debts, such as credit cards, mortgages, and other final expenses. AD&D coverage provides specified benefits for a covered accidental bodily injury that causes dismemberment (e.g., the loss of a hand, foot, or eye). In the event that death occurs from an accident, 100% of the AD&D benefit would be payable to your beneficiary(ies).
Basic Life and AD&D Coverage
Basic Life and AD&D insurance are provided by ACG at no cost to you through Guardian. Supplemental Life and AD&D insurance are available for you to purchase through Guardian. Coverage amounts vary by employee class:
Class I (full-time employees): two times your basic annual earnings, up to a maximum of $500,000.
Class II (full-time corporate employees working 30+ hours): one times your basic annual earnings, with a minimum of $50,000.
Class III (ISR and Hybrid Sales employees working 20+ hours): flat benefit of $50,000.
You are automatically enrolled based on your eligibility class. Supplemental Life and AD&D insurance are also available for you to purchase through Guardian for additional protection.
Designating a Beneficiary
A beneficiary is the person or entity you designate to receive the death benefits of your Life and AD&D insurance policies. You can name more than one beneficiary, and you can change beneficiaries at anytime. If you name more than one beneficiary or entity, you must identify the share for each.
Supplemental Life and AD&D Coverage
You may purchase additional Life and AD&D insurance for you and your eligible dependents. If you decline Supplemental Life and AD&D insurance when first eligible or if you elect coverage and wish to increase your benefit amount at a later date, Evidence of Insurability (EOI) –proof of good health – may be required before coverage is approved. You must elect Supplemental Life and AD&D coverage for yourself in order to elect coverage for your spouse or children. If you leave the company, you may be able to take the insurance with you.
Benefits reduce by 35% at age 65 and further reduce by 50% at age 70.
Supplemental Life and AD&D Available
• Increments of $10,000 up to a maximum of $500,000
• Guaranteed Issue $200,000
Spouse
Child(ren)
• Increments of $5,000 up to a maximum of $250,000 not to exceed 50% of the employee coverage
• Guaranteed Issue $25,000
• Live birth to six months = $1,000
• Six months to age 19 (26 if full-time student) = $10,000
• Guaranteed Issue $10,000
Supplemental Life and AD&D Weekly Rates per $1,000
Disability Insurance
Disability insurance provides partial income protection if you are unable to work due to a covered accident or illness. We offer Short Term Disability (STD) insurance for you to purchase, and we provide Long Term Disability (LTD) insurance at no cost to you through Guardian
Voluntary Short Term Disability Insurance
STD coverage pays a percentage of your weekly salary for up to 11 weeks if you are temporarily disabled and unable to work due to an illness, non-work-related injury, or pregnancy. STD benefits are not payable if the disability is due to a job-related injury or illness. Eligibility begins after 60 days of employment
Short Term Disability
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Employer-paid Long Term Disability Insurance
LTD insurance pays a percentage of your monthly salary for a covered disability or injury that prevents you from working for more than 90 days. Benefits begin at the end of an elimination period and continue while you are disabled up to Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA).
Long Term Disability
Supplemental Benefits
The supplemental plans below are offered for you to purchase through Guardian
Accident Insurance
Accident insurance pays a fixed benefit directly to you in the event of an accident, regardless of any other coverage you may have. Benefits are paid according to a fixed schedule for accident-related expenses including hospitalizations, fractures and dislocations, emergency room visits, major diagnostic exams, and physical therapy. Please refer to the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) for benefit details.
Accident Insurance
Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Hospital Indemnity insurance helps you with the high cost of medical care by paying you a set amount when you have an inpatient hospital stay. Unlike traditional insurance, which pays a benefit to the hospital or doctor, this plan pays you directly based on the care or treatment that you receive. These costs may include meals and transportation, childcare, or time away from work due to a medical issue that requires hospitalization.
Hospital Indemnity Insurance
3/6/12¹
¹ Waived during a member’s initial eligibility; 3 month look back period, 6 months treatment free /12 month exclusion period.
Critical Illness insurance helps pay the cost of non-medical expenses related to a covered critical illness or cancer. The plan provides you a lump-sum benefit payment upon first and second diagnosis of any covered critical illness or cancer to help cover expenses such as lost income, out-oftown treatments, special diets, daily living, and household upkeep costs.
Critical Illness Insurance
Employee
Spouse
Child(ren)
Full Coverage
Advanced multiple sclerosis; advanced Parkinson’s disease; ALS (aka Lou Gehrig’s disease); Alzheimer’s disease (advanced stage); benign brain tumor; coma/ brain injury; full benefit cancer; heart attack; major organ failure; invasive cancer; loss of sight, speech, or hearing; major burns; paralysis; stroke (moderate/ severe)
Increments of $2,500 up to $10,000 not to exceed 50% of employee amount
There is a recurrence benefit of 50% for invasive cancer, heart attack, stroke, benign brain tumor, and coma. The recurrence must be separated by 180 days.
Pre-existing Condition Exclusion
Benefits may not be paid for any condition for which you have been treated within the past 12 months prior to your effective date until you have been covered under this plan for 12 months.
Guardian Value Adds
Cancer Support
Get personal, empathetic support to help you navigate a cancer diagnosis. Guardian partners with Osara Health to bring cancer support services that can help you focus on your holistic well-being throughout your treatment. Because you have Guardian Long Term Disability insurance as a benefit through your employer, you have access to this unique six- to 12-week program at no additional cost to you. The program offers a dedicated health coach, digital resource modules, and tailored wellbeing information. Guardian will proactively provide details about this service as part of the disability claims process.
Estate Guidance
Secure your wishes with a legally binding will. EstateGuidance makes drafting a will easy with online tools that walk you through the process in minutes. Draft a living will to ensure you get the end-of-life care you desire and a final arrangements document that states your wishes for your funeral services. There is a nominal fee for drafting and printing the legal documents. To learn more, call 855-239-0743, visit www.estateguidance.com, or get the GuidanceNow app (promo code: Guardian).
Caregiving Service
The caregiving support offered through Guardian and Wellthy can tailor a plan for your caregiving needs. With these caregiving support services, you can plan for future care duties, get guidance for your current needs, or connect with others who are navigating care for similar situations. Visit www.guardianwell.com to register for an account and access self-serve tools, resources, and dedicated support. Look for the Guardian + Wellthy page for more details.
Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) from Guardian and ComPsych GuidanceResources helps you and family members cope with a variety of personal and work-related issues.
This EAP provides confidential counseling and support services at little or no cost to you to help with:
Get three face-to-face sessions per issue with a certified therapist.
401(k) Savings Plan
A 401(k) plan can be a powerful savings tool in promoting financial security in retirement. Our 401(k) plan through Empower Retirement is designed to help you reach your investment goals.
How the 401(k) Savings Plan Works
You are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan following three months of service. You may contribute 1% to 50% of your income up to the 2026 IRS limit.
You may change the amount of your contributions anytime. All changes become effective as soon as administratively feasible and remain in effect until modified or terminated by you. You also decide how to invest the assets in your account, and you may change your investment choices anytime.
The Wellness and Financial Center offers valuable information and resources, including calculators that can help you manage your day-to-day finances.
Enrollment
You can enroll through Empower Retirement by visiting www.empower-retirement.com or by calling 800-338-4015
401(k) Company Contribution
For every dollar ($1.00) you contribute to either your traditional or Roth 401(k), the company will also contribute fifty cents ($0.50) up to a maximum of 2% of pay. So, if you contribute 4% of your pay to your 401(k), you will receive an additional 2% contribution from ACG. The company contribution will be 100% immediately vested. The plan offers a wide array of investment options and allows you to contribute to the extent allowed by law and plan provisions. You may enroll at anytime, and please keep in mind that the IRS calendar limits on contributions include the amount you contributed to all employers during the calendar year. If you participate in a plan with another employer, keep track of the total of all contributions you have made during the year to avoid IRS penalties.
Investment Options
You may direct your contributions to any of the investments offered within the company 401(k) plan. Changes to your investments can be made by calling 800-338-4015
Home and Auto Discounts
Farmers GroupSelect Home and Auto programs help you prepare for the unexpected and better safeguard your financial wellbeing. The wide range of products and services are designed to meet your different stages in life and allow you to select what is best for you.
Program Discounts and Features
A group discount up to 15%
Safe driving discount
Multi-policy/multi-vehicle discounts
Loyalty discounts for years of service
Call 800-438-6381 for a quote.
TWO WEEKS at 100% of Pay for Maternity/Paternity Leave
ACG provides a paid benefit in addition to any other paid time off for up to two weeks for maternity/paternity leave. This leave may be taken during the first six months following the birth or adoption of a child.
Adoption Benefit
ACG helps our team members defray the cost of adopting a child or children, by providing a special one-time payment of $1,500 for each child adopted, upon receipt of documentation of the adoption. The lifetime maximum for this benefit is $3,000. Please submit documents to people@acgbrands.com
Pet Insurance
Pet Insurance from MetLife is a great way to demonstrate how much you value every member of family – right down to the four-legged ones. This plan offers superior protection for your pet and unlimited, 24/7 access to a veterinary professional.
This is not a payroll-deducted benefit. You must enroll with MetLife and set up a direct-bill with preferred pricing. Pricing varies based on species and age.
Benefits include:
24/7 access to Telehealth Concierge Services
Flexible coverage with up to 100% reimbursement and freedom to visit any U.S. licensed vet
Receive reimbursement by check or direct deposit
Easy claim submission via online app, email, fax, or mail
There are four easy ways you can enroll:
Visit www.metlife.com/getpetquote
Call 855-270-7387 (800-GET-MET8)
Note: Some pre-existing conditions may exclude your pet from coverage. Any illness or injury that your pet had prior to the start of the policy will be considered a pre-existing condition.
Employee Discounts
All employees are eligible for an exclusive 50% discount on all ACG products.
Access your employee pricing by creating an account using one of the ACG retail sites and entering your ACG email. Once created, your employee discounts are applied automatically at checkout along with the option for home delivery or office pickup.
ACG retail sites:
https://nebo.acgbrands.com/
https://true.acgbrands.com/
https://thaw.acgbrands.com/
https://iprotec.acgbrands.com/
https://halo.acgbrands.com/
Contact dylnch@acgbrands.com for questions or assistance,
Legal Services
At some point in your life, you will likely need the advice or service of an attorney. MetLaw offers you, your spouse, and dependents affordable access to experienced attorneys for a range of legal matters. This is a payroll-deducted benefit.
Meet with the MetLaw attorney of your choice by phone or office consultations to discuss services that include:
Estate planning documents
Financial matters
Real estate matters
Defense of civil lawsuits
Family law
Traffic offenses
You will enjoy having:
Unlimited use of legal services covered by your plan
No waiting periods, deductibles, or copays
No claim forms to file
Document preparation
Immigration assistance
Juvenile matters
Consumer protection
Legal document review
Student Loan Refinancing
ACG partners with SoFi, a finance company that offers solutions for student loan refinancing.
Managing multiple loans with varying interest rates, due dates, and maturity dates can be a daunting task. Consolidate your loans into one new loan with a lower interest rate to save you money and payoff time with SoFi. Refinancing solutions are available to you and your family if you have federal or private student loans. Fixed and variable rates and flexible terms are offered. Benefits include:
No application fees, origination fees, or prepayment penalties
Loan payments can be paused if you become unemployed
Access to wealth advisors
If eligible, you may be able to use SoFi to refinance a Parent PLUS loan.
For More Information
Visit www.sofi.com/higg to check your rates online. SoFi will conduct a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. Call 855-456-7634 or email ask@sofi.com for details.
Team Member Weekly Contributions
Team Member Open Enrollment Steps
Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment is the company-defined period each year where you can request to enroll for benefits, including health insurance, for the upcoming benefit year, without a Qualifying Life Event.
Team Member Open Enrollment Steps
Navigation: Menu > Myself > Benefits > Open Enrollment
1. Select the blue hyperlink, Open Enrollment 2026.
2. There is a brief description about Open Enrollment, then you will need to select either Make New Elections or Stay Enrolled in Current Benefit Plans, then select OK
3. If you select Make New Elections, it will take you to through Open Enrollment. The first section is to Verify Beneficiary and Dependent Information. This will take you to Verify Beneficiary and Dependent Information. This page allows you to make changes to your dependents, beneficiaries, and emergency contacts. Click the add (+) button to add a dependent, beneficiary and/or emergency contact. Ensure you include full legal names, Social Security numbers, genders, relationships, and dates of birth for dependents that will be covered under our plans. You will see a list of dependents that are currently included in your employee profile.
4. Select Next to move to the Medical portion of Open Enrollment.
For Medical, there is a brief description on the right of each plan to help you decide. Select the medical plan you wish to enroll in. After you have selected the plan, if you are enrolling anyone other than just yourself in the plan, you will need to select the dependents that will be covered. It will automatically populate the dependents/Spouse that you have linked to your employee record and/or any you have added in the Beneficiary and Dependent Information that are eligible.
If you decide not to take any medical coverage you will need to select, I decline Medical Plans. If you decline coverage, you will be asked to provide a reason.
Note: on the right of each benefit offered you will see a box that shows Current Plan. Click on the arrow and it will populate what your current elections are and the cost you pay on a weekly basis. See below.
Team Member Open Enrollment Steps
5. Continue selecting Next at the top of each page to move forward to the next benefit offered. You will need to go through each benefit offered and either enroll or decline coverage, even if it is a company paid benefit. You will not be able to submit your elections at the end of Open Enrollment unless you have gone through each benefit.
The benefits offered are as follows:
Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Account
FSA – Medical
FSA – Limited Purpose
FSA – Dependent Care
Dental
Vision
Group Term Life Insurance (paid for by ACG)
Employee Supplemental Life and AD&D
Spouse Supplemental Life and AD&D
Child Supplemental Life and AD&D
Long Term Disability (paid for by ACG)
Short Term Disability
Additional Benefits
Critical Illness – Employee
Critical Illness – Spouse
Critical Illness – Child
Accident Insurance
Hospital Indemnity
MetLaw Legal
6. The last step of Open Enrollment is to Confirm Your Elections or Changes
This page shows a side-by-side comparison of your current benefits and your new benefits that you just selected. At the bottom of the comparison, you will find the benefits you have declined.
It is highly recommended that you print your summary page. You can save it to a PDF for future reference. Please verify your changes carefully before submitting. If you need to make any edits, you can do so by selecting the plan type or plan description hyperlink to return to the election page.
When you are satisfied with your changes, please click the Submit button on the toolbar in the upper right. You MUST click Submit, otherwise your elections will NOT be saved
Required Notices
Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998
In October 1998, Congress enacted the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998. This notice explains some important provisions of the Act. Please review this information carefully.
As specified in the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act, a plan participant or beneficiary who elects breast reconstruction in connection with a mastectomy is also entitled to the following benefits:
• All stages of reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was performed;
• Surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance; and
• Prostheses and treatment of physical complications of the mastectomy, including lymphedema.
Health plans must determine the manner of coverage in consultation with the attending physician and the patient. Coverage for breast reconstruction and related services may be subject to deductibles and coinsurance amounts that are consistent with those that apply to other benefits under the plan.
Special Enrollment Rights
This notice is being provided to ensure that you understand your right to apply for group health insurance coverage. You should read this notice even if you plan to waive coverage at this time.
Loss of Other Coverage or Becoming Eligible for Medicaid or a state Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
If you are declining coverage for yourself or your dependents because of other health insurance or group health plan coverage, you may be able to later enroll yourself and your dependents in this plan if you or your dependents lose eligibility for that other coverage (or if the employer stops contributing toward your or your dependents’ other coverage). However, you must enroll within 31 days after your or your dependents’ other coverage ends (or after the employer that sponsors that coverage stops contributing toward the other coverage).
If you or your dependents lose eligibility under a Medicaid plan or CHIP, or if you or your dependents become eligible for a subsidy under Medicaid or CHIP, you may be able to enroll yourself and your dependents in this plan. You must provide notification within 60 days after you or your dependent is terminated from, or determined to be eligible for, such assistance.
Marriage, Birth or Adoption
If you have a new dependent as a result of a marriage, birth, adoption, or placement for adoption, you may be able to enroll yourself and your dependents. However, you must enroll within 31 days after the marriage, birth, or placement for adoption.
For More Information or Assistance
To request special enrollment or obtain more information, contact:
ACG (Alliance Consumer Group)
People Team
700 Henrietta Creek Road Roanoke, TX 76262 972-343-1122
Your Prescription Drug Coverage and Medicare
Please read this notice carefully and keep it where you can find it. This notice has information about your current prescription drug coverage with ACG (Alliance Consumer Group) and about your options under Medicare’s prescription drug coverage. This information can help you decide whether or not you want to enroll in a Medicare drug plan. Information about where you can get help to make decisions about your prescription drug coverage is at the end of this notice.
If neither you nor any of your covered dependents are eligible for or have Medicare, this notice does not apply to you or the dependents, as the case may be. However, you should still keep a copy of this notice in the event you or a dependent should qualify for coverage under Medicare in the future. Please note, however, that later notices might supersede this notice.
Required Notices
1. Medicare prescription drug coverage became available in 2006 to everyone with Medicare. You can get this coverage through a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers prescription drug coverage. All Medicare prescription drug plans provide at least a standard level of coverage set by Medicare. Some plans may also offer more coverage for a higher monthly premium.
2. ACG (Alliance Consumer Group) has determined that the prescription drug coverage offered by the ACG (Alliance Consumer Group) medical plan is, on average for all plan participants, expected to pay out as much as the standard Medicare prescription drug coverage pays and is considered Creditable Coverage. The HSA plan is considered Creditable Coverage.
Because your existing coverage is, on average, at least as good as standard Medicare prescription drug coverage, you can keep this coverage and not pay a higher premium (a penalty) if you later decide to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan, as long as you later enroll within specific time periods.
You can enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan when you first become eligible for Medicare. If you decide to wait to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan, you may enroll later, during Medicare Part D’s annual enrollment period, which runs each year from October 15 through December 7 but as a general rule, if you delay your enrollment in Medicare Part D after first becoming eligible to enroll, you may have to pay a higher premium (a penalty).
You should compare your current coverage, including which drugs are covered at what cost, with the coverage and cost of the plans offering Medicare prescription drug coverage in your area. See the Plan’s summary plan description for a summary of the Plan’s prescription drug coverage. If you don’t have a copy, you can get one by contacting ACG (Alliance Consumer Group) at the phone number or address listed at the end of this section.
If you choose to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan and cancel your current ACG (Alliance Consumer Group) prescription drug coverage, be aware that you and your dependents may not be able to get this coverage back. To regain coverage, you would have to re-enroll in the Plan, pursuant to the Plan’s eligibility and enrollment rules. You should review the Plan’s summary plan description to determine if and when you are allowed to add coverage.
If you cancel or lose your current coverage and do not have prescription drug coverage for 63 days or longer prior to enrolling in the Medicare prescription drug coverage, your monthly premium will be at least 1% per month greater for every month that you did not have coverage for as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. For example, if nineteen months lapse without coverage, your premium will always be at least 19% higher than it would have been without the lapse in coverage.
For more information about this notice or your current prescription drug coverage:
Contact the Human Resources Department at 972-3431122
NOTE: You will receive this notice annually and at other times in the future, such as before the next period you can enroll in Medicare prescription drug coverage and if this coverage changes. You may also request a copy.
For more information about your options under Medicare prescription drug coverage:
More detailed information about Medicare plans that offer prescription drug coverage is in the “Medicare & You” handbook. You will get a copy of the handbook in the mail every year from Medicare. You may also be contacted directly by Medicare prescription drug plans. For more information about Medicare prescription drug coverage:
• Visit www.medicare.gov
• Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see the inside back cover of your copy of the “Medicare & You” handbook for their telephone number) for personalized help.
• Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 877-486-2048
Required Notices
If you have limited income and resources, extra help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage is available. Information about this extra help is available from the Social Security Administration (SSA) online at www. socialsecurity.gov, or you can call them at 800-772-1213 TTY users should call 800-325-0778
Remember: Keep this Creditable Coverage notice. If you enroll in one of the new plans approved by Medicare which offer prescription drug coverage, you may be required to provide a copy of this notice when you join to show whether or not you have maintained creditable coverage and whether or not you are required to pay a higher premium (a penalty).
January 1, 2026
ACG (Alliance Consumer Group) People Team
700 Henrietta Creek Road Roanoke, TX 76262
972-343-1122
Notice of HIPAA Privacy Practices
This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can access this information. Please review it carefully.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) imposes numerous requirements on employer health plans concerning the use and disclosure of individual health information. This information known as protected health information (PHI), includes virtually all individually identifiable health information held by a health plan – whether received in writing, in an electronic medium or as oral communication. This notice describes the privacy practices of the Employee Benefits Plan (referred to in this notice as the Plan), sponsored by ACG (Alliance Consumer Group), hereinafter referred to as the plan sponsor.
The Plan is required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information and to provide you with this notice of the Plan’s legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your health information. It is important to note that these rules apply to the Plan, not the plan sponsor as an employer.
You have the right to inspect and copy protected health information which is maintained by and for the Plan for enrollment, payment, claims and case management. If you feel that protected health information about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask the Human Resources Department to amend the information. For a full copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices describing how protected health information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to the information, contact the Human Resources Department.
Complaints: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may complain to the Plan and to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint. To file a complaint, please contact the Privacy Officer.
ACG (Alliance Consumer Group)
People Team
700 Henrietta Creek Road Roanoke, TX 76262
972-343-1122
Conclusion
PHI use and disclosure by the Plan is regulated by a federal law known as HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). You may find these rules at 45 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 160 and 164. The Plan intends to comply with these regulations. This Notice attempts to summarize the regulations. The regulations will supersede any discrepancy between the information in this Notice and the regulations.
Premium Assistance Under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
If you or your children are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP and you’re eligible for health coverage from your employer, your state may have a premium assistance program that can help pay for coverage, using funds from their Medicaid or CHIP programs. If you or your children aren’t eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, you won’t be eligible for these premium assistance programs but you may be able to buy individual insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. For more information, visit www.healthcare. gov
Required Notices
If you or your dependents are already enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP and you live in a State listed below, contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office to find out if premium assistance is available.
If you or your dependents are NOT currently enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and you think you or any of your dependents might be eligible for either of these programs, contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office or dial 1-877KIDS NOW or www.insurekidsnow.gov to find out how to apply. If you qualify, ask your state if it has a program that might help you pay the premiums for an employersponsored plan.
If you or your dependents are eligible for premium assistance under Medicaid or CHIP, as well as eligible under your employer plan, your employer must allow you to enroll in your employer plan if you aren’t already enrolled. This is called a “special enrollment” opportunity, and you must request coverage within 60 days of being determined eligible for premium assistance. If you have questions about enrolling in your employer plan, contact the Department of Labor at www.askebsa.dol.gov or call 1-866-444-EBSA (3272)
If you live in one of the following States, you may be eligible for assistance paying your employer health plan premiums. The following list of States is current as of July 31, 2025. Contact your State for more information on eligibility.
To see if any other States have added a premium assistance program since July 31, 2025, or for more information on special enrollment rights, can contact either:
U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa 1-866-444-EBSA (3272)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services www.cms.hhs.gov 1-877-267-2323, Menu Option 4, Ext. 61565
Required Notices
Continuation of Coverage Rights Under COBRA
Under the Federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA), if you are covered under the ACG (Alliance Consumer Group) group health plan you and your eligible dependents may be entitled to continue your group health benefits coverage under the ACG (Alliance Consumer Group) plan after you have left employment with the company. If you wish to elect COBRA coverage, contact your Human Resources Department for the applicable deadlines to elect coverage and pay the initial premium.
Plan Contact Information
ACG (Alliance Consumer Group) People Team
700 Henrietta Creek Road Roanoke, TX 76262 972-343-1122
Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills
When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-ofnetwork provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing.
What is “balance billing” (sometimes called “surprise billing”)?
When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, such as a copayment, coinsurance, and/or a deductible. You may have other costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a health care facility that isn’t in your health plan’s network.
“Out-of-network” describes providers and facilities that have not signed a contract with your health plan. Out-ofnetwork providers may be permitted to bill you for the difference between what your plan agreed to pay and the full amount charged for a service. This is called “balance billing.” This amount is likely more than in-network costs for the same service and might not count toward your annual out-of-pocket limit.
“Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This can happen when you can’t control who is involved in your care—like when you have an emergency or when you schedule a visit at an in-network facility but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider. You are protected from balance billing for:
• Emergency services – If you have an emergency medical condition and get emergency services from an out-of-network provider or facility, the most the provider or facility may bill you is your plan’s innetwork cost-sharing amount (such as copayments and coinsurance). You cannot be balance billed for these emergency services. This includes services you may get after you are in stable condition, unless you give written consent and give up your protections not to be balanced billed for these post-stabilization services.
• Certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center – When you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, certain providers there may be out-of-network. In these cases, the most those providers may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant surgeon, hospitalist, or intensivist services. These providers cannot balance bill you and may not ask you to give up your protections not to be balance billed.
If you get other services at these in-network facilities, outof-network providers cannot balance bill you, unless you give written consent and give up your protections.
You are never required to give up your protections from balance billing. You also are not required to get care outof-network. You can choose a provider or facility in your plan’s network.
Required Notices
When balance billing is not allowed, you also have the following protections:
• You are only responsible for paying your share of the cost (like the copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that you would pay if the provider or facility was in-network). Your health plan will pay outof-network providers and facilities directly.
• Your health plan generally must:
• Cover emergency services without requiring you to get approval for services in advance (prior authorization).
• Cover emergency services by out-of-network providers.
• Base what you owe the provider or facility (costsharing) on what it would pay an in-network provider or facility and show that amount in your explanation of benefits.
• Count any amount you pay for emergency services or out-of-network services toward your deductible and out-of-pocket limit.
If you believe you have been wrongly billed, you may contact your insurance provider. Visit www.cms.gov/ nosurprises for more information about your rights under federal law.
Glossary of Terms
Beneficiary – Who will receive a benefit in the event of the insured’s death. A policy may have more than one beneficiary.
Coinsurance – Your share of the cost of a covered health care service, calculated as a percent (for example, 20%) of the allowed amount for the service, typically after you meet your deductible.
Copay – The fixed amount you pay for health care services received.
Deductible – The amount you owe for health care services before your health insurance begins to pay its portion. For example, if your deductible is $1,000, your plan does not pay anything until you meet your $1,000 deductible for covered health care services. The deductible may not apply to all services, including preventive care.
Employee Contribution – The amount you pay for your insurance coverage.
Employer Contribution – The amount our company contributes to the cost of your benefits.
Explanation of Benefits (EOB) – A statement sent by your insurance carrier that explains which procedures and services were provided, how much they cost, what portion of the claim was paid by the plan, what portion of the claim is your responsibility and information on how you can appeal the insurer’s decision. These statements are also posted on the carrier’s website for your review.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – An option that allows participants to set aside pretax dollars to pay for certain qualified expenses during a specific time period (usually a 12-month period).
Health Savings Account (HSA) – A personal savings account that allows you to pay for qualified medical expenses with pretax dollars.
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) – A medical plan with a higher deductible in exchange for a lower monthly premium. You must meet the annual deductible before any benefits are paid by the plan.
In-Network – Doctors, hospitals and other providers that contract with your insurance company to provide health care services at discounted rates.
Out-of-Network – Doctors, hospitals and other providers that are not contracted with your insurance company. If you choose an out-of-network provider, you may be responsible for costs over the amount allowed by your insurance carrier.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum – Also known as an out-ofpocket limit. The most you pay during a policy period (usually a 12-month period) before your health insurance or plan begins to pay 100% of the allowed amount. The limit does not include your premium, charges beyond the Reasonable & Customary (R&C) or health care your plan does not cover. Check with your health insurance carrier to confirm what payments apply to the out-of-pocket maximum.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications – Medications typically made available without a prescription.
Prescription Medications – Medications prescribed by a doctor. Cost of these medications is determined by their assigned tier.
Preventive Care – The care you receive to prevent illness or disease. It also includes counseling to prevent health problems.
Generic Drugs – Drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be chemically identical to corresponding brand name versions. The color or flavor of a generic medicine may be different, but the active ingredient is the same. Generic
Reasonable and Customary Allowance – (R&C) – Also known as an eligible expense or the Usual and Customary (U&C). The amount your insurance company will pay for a medical service in a geographic region based on what providers in the area usually charge for the same or similar medical service.
SSNRA – Social Security Normal Retirement Age
This brochure highlights the main features of the Alliance Consumer Group Employee Benefits Program. It does not include all plan rules, details, limitations and exclusions. The terms of your benefit plans are governed by legal documents, including insurance contracts. Should there be an inconsistency between this brochure and the legal plan documents, the plan documents are the final authority. Alliance Consumer Group reserves the right to change or discontinue its employee benefits plans at anytime.
