So Cal Kaiser Guide
So Cal Kaiser Guide
So Cal Kaiser Guide
GUIDE TO
BENEFITS
OVERVIEW
The comprehensive benefits and compensation package offered by the Southern California
Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) enables physicians to focus on what they do best – provide
their patients with exceptional care. Read on for more details about the competitive benefits
available to Associate physicians of SCPMG.
For detailed information about the benefits summarized on this site, contact PHR Shared Services at
1-877-608-0044 or PHRSharedServices@kp.org.
These pages highlight the benefits provided to Associate physicians of SCPMG. It does not provide complete
details, nor is it a guarantee of employment or plan eligibility.
The benefits programs are subject to change and those changes may not be reflected on these pages. The
benefits programs as described are currently in effect; however, these programs may be limited, added to,
changed and/or discontinued.
For details regarding the benefits described, refer to each respective Plan Document, Insurance Policy or Company
Policy. In the event of any conflict between this document and the documents that completely describe the
benefits, the latter shall prevail.
KFHP coverage is comprehensive and includes basic and major medical care at Kaiser Permanente
medical facilities, such as hospitalization, surgery, maternity care, diagnostic imaging and laboratory
expense, durable medical equipment, and emergency care.
Supplemental Medical
Supplemental Medical provides additional coverage by reimbursing a percentage (100%, 80%
or 50%) of certain medically necessary expenses that are not covered by KFHP coverage or that
exceed plan limits. Reimbursable services covered by Supplemental Medical include acupuncture,
chiropractic care, custodial care and convalescent care. You must first meet your annual deductible
before the plan begins to pay:
Dental
You may choose to enroll in one of three dental plans:
The maximum combined coverage for Permanente Provided Life and Optional Life Insurance
cannot exceed $2,000,000 or 600% of your base annual compensation. All SCPMG life insurance
coverages are term life insurance plans.
Relocation Package
A relocation package is offered to assist full-time physicians who are joining the group from outside
the area. In order to qualify for this benefit, your new work location must increase your commute
by at least 50 miles. You may be eligible to be reimbursed for up to $10,000 of relocation expenses
per household.
Commuter Choice
Set aside a portion of your income on a pre-tax basis to pay for public transportation, commuter
highway transportation and parking expenses for your commute to and from work. Partner physicians
are not eligible to participate in Commuter Choice due to IRS restrictions.
Employee Discounts
Access the online Employee Discounts web page to purchase discounted entertainment tickets or
travel. You may also be eligible for discounts on child care services, health and fitness programs, mobile
phone services, computers and more.
Common Plan
Sponsored by Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, the Common Plan provides a non-qualified defined
benefit retirement plan for SCPMG physicians.
There are two types of service that affect the Common Plan:
• Q
ualifying Service is time counted to determine if you are eligible for a Common Plan benefit. It
includes both full-time and part-time service. To be eligible to receive Common Plan benefits, you
must have at least 10 years of Qualifying Service.
• C
redited Service is time counted to determine the amount of retirement income. It is generally
calculated the same as Qualifying Service, but is prorated to work schedule. For example, if you work
an 8/10ths work schedule for 10 years, you would have 10 years of Qualifying Service, but only 8
years of Credited Service.
In addition to Credited Service, a physician’s Highest Average Compensation (HAC) is used in the
benefit calculation. HAC is the average monthly base compensation for the highest 36 consecutive
months of the last 120 months as an eligible physician.
Example:
The benefit amount for an age 65 physician with a HAC of $15,000 and 30 years of Credited Service
would be calculated as follows:
(2% x $15,000 x 20 years) + (1% x $15,000 x 10 years) = $7,500 per month*
* The benefit amount of the payment will be actuarially adjusted if you begin payment before or after age 65
and/or select a payment option other than lifetime monthly payments.
You must elect to participate (or not participate) in the Keogh plan by your sixth month of
employment even though contributions do not begin until you attain Partnership.
Electing to participate in the Keogh Plan is an irrevocable commitment to make an annual contribution
of the amount required for the selected level of participation. You will receive only one opportunity to
make an election to participate – if you elect to not participate by the sixth month of employment,
you will not be able to commence participation at a later date.
If you elect to participate in the Keogh plan, you may select from four contribution levels: 100%,
70%, 50% or 25%. Changes in the contribution level or participation status are not permitted once
an election has been made. At the end of each year, an actuarial firm determines the next year’s
contribution limit. A physician’s participation level dictates the percentage of the annual contribution
limit that the physician will contribute.
The IRS sets an annual limit for combined contributions to a defined contribution plan. In other words,
there is a limit on your combined TSR-401(k) and Keogh contributions.
• S
chwab Executive Services provides dedicated one-on-one support for complex financial
needs. As an SCPMG physician, you’ll have access to a dedicated financial consultant who
can provide personalized support, objective guidance and customized investment solutions.
• W
hether you are interested in managing your investments on your own, or partnering with an
investment professional who can manage investments for you, Financial Engines provides a
variety of resources to physicians with various levels of investment experience.
Vacation
Vacation days accrue bi-weekly and are prorated to your work schedule. An Associate physician
working a full-time (10/10ths) schedule will accrue vacation according to the table below:
Vacation time may accumulate to a maximum of 90 days. At the conclusion of each anniversary year,
the value of any vacation days over 90 will be paid out to you as excess vacation. You also have an
opportunity to cash-out vacation hours during the annual Open Enrollment period.
Educational Time
After one year of employment, you earn five days per year (prorated to work schedule) to use for
Continuing Medical Education.
Holidays
You receive paid time-off for approved holidays. All holiday pay is prorated to your work schedule.
The following holidays are observed:
Leaves
Several types of leaves are available to help you keep your work life balance and manage personal
and professional commitments. SCPMG conforms to all state and federal laws with respect to leaves
of absence.
• A
cute Sick Leave - You may accrue up to 10 days of Acute Sick Leave each year.
You may use up to one-half of your annual Acute Sick Leave accrual to care for an ill
family member.
• S
hort Term Disability - Associate physicians receive Short Term Disability coverage
at SCPMG’s expense. This coverage will provide a benefit equal to 50% of your
monthly base compensation for up to 22 weeks. Benefits commence on the 15th
calendar day of disability.
• L
ong Term Disability - Associate physicians can purchase Long Term Disability
(LTD) coverage at their expense. LTD Insurance provides 50% of your monthly base
compensation or 50% of your average monthly gross compensation following six
months of continuous disability, up to a maximum of $20,000 per month. Upon
attaining Partnership, SCPMG pays the premium for this benefit.