At IMS, we offer our employees a highly competitive and comprehensive portfolio of benefits.  The key benefits are described below.  Unless otherwise stipulated, employees who are scheduled to work at least 22.5 hours per week are eligible for benefits on the first day of employment. Further questions regarding benefits should be directed to the Employee Solutions Center at 800-467-6130.

Medical Insurance
IMS offers a comprehensive range of medical options in order to meet the varying needs of individual employees.  Medical coverage is offered through Cigna Healthcare with plan designs of an HMO, PPO and an HSA.  The HSA plan includes an annual employer contribution of $500 for individual coverage/$1,000 for family.  Each option also includes coverage for prescriptions.  The Company shares the cost of this medical coverage with employees. Employee contributions are made via pre-tax payroll deductions.

With the election of medical, employees will also automatically receive vision coverage through Spectera Vision.  Spectera offers a comprehensive co-pay plan that offers coverage for annual routine eye exams, as well as coverage for lenses, frames, and contacts.

Dental Insurance
Dental coverage is provided by the Cigna PPO or DMO options.  The Cigna PPO covers 100% of preventive and diagnostic care, 80% of basic restorative, oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, and 50% major restorative, prosthodontics and orthodontics. The plan offers both in- and out-of-network benefits.  Out-of-Network payment is based upon "usual, customary and reasonable" maximum levels in the provider service area as calculated by Cigna. The DMO offers in-network comprehensive coverage without deductibles or annual/lifetime limits with low co-pays for preventative, restorative and orthodontic services.  The Company makes a contribution toward the cost of the coverage and the employee contributions are made via pre-tax payroll deductions.

The Retirement Plan
Employees are automatically enrolled in the Retirement Plan after completion of one year of service.  This plan is 100% company funded.  Upon enrollment, each month IMS will credit an amount equal to 6 percent of eligible monthly pay to employees’ retirement accounts.  Employees become 100% vested in the Retirement Plan after completion of five years of vesting service with IMS Health.

401(K) Savings Plan
Employees are eligible to participate in the Company sponsored 401(k) Savings Plan effective the first of the month following the start of employment. Employees may contribute up to 50% of their compensation into this tax deferred savings plan through pre-tax or post-tax payroll deductions. IMS will match 50% of the employee’s first 6% up to a maximum annual contribution of 3%. There is a three-year cliff-vesting period in order to be fully vested in the Company contribution.

Paid Time Off
All IMS employees enjoy vacation time, between one and four weeks, based on professional experience and years of service with the company.  Employees also receive ten company-paid holidays, two floating holidays and two personal days per full calendar year.

Tuition Reimbursement
Full-time employees may be reimbursed up to $5,250 for undergraduate programs and up to $9,000 annually for graduate programs.  Upon completion of an employee’s education, IMS Health awards a one-time incentive of $500 for a bachelor’s degree and $1,000 for a graduate degree.

Flexible Spending Accounts
These company-sponsored plans allow employees to make deposits, via pre-tax payroll deductions, to an account for the sole purpose of funding medical, dental and dependent care expenses. The Health Care Spending Account covers non-reimbursable medical and dental expenses up to $5,000. Employees may contribute up to $4,500 annually to the Family Care Account. IMS will match 50% of the first $1,000 contributed by employees to the Family Care Account, up to a maximum of $500 per year for a total reimbursement of $5,000 annually.

Should an employee elect the HSA medical plan, then an employee may opt to enroll in a Limited FSA, which will allow reimbursements only for dental and vision expenses.  The contribution maximums mentioned above still apply.

Basic Life Insurance
Employees may purchase one times their annual insurable base compensation in Basic Life Insurance.  When employees purchase Basic Life, they automatically receive company paid coverage in the amount of $50,000.  Employees who do not elect to purchase any life insurance coverage will automatically receive a minimum benefit of $5,000.  IMS pays the full cost of this $5,000 coverage.
 
Additional Life Insurance
Concurrent with the company sponsored life insurance plan, employees may elect additional term life insurance coverage through their own post-tax deductions for themselves and their dependents.

Short-Term Disability Insurance
Short-term disability (STD) provides eligible employees with income ranging from 70% to 100% of base salary during a period of disability due to non-occupational accident or illness, including pregnancy. Coverage under STD begins on the 5th working day of your illness/accident.  An employee is eligible for STD benefits only for days that the employee’s physician certifies in writing that the employee is unable to work.  STD benefits may continue for up to 180 days.  IMS provides this benefit to employees at no charge.

Long-Term Disability Insurance
In the event an employee is continuously disabled and unable to fulfill job responsibilities, this benefit covers 60% of the employee’s monthly income up to the benefit maximum of $15,000 per month, after a 180-day waiting period.  The cost of this benefit is employee paid and any benefits paid are tax free to employees.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Employees and their families, including parents, parents-in-law and grandparents, are eligible to enroll in coverage that helps to pay for care received at home or in an extended care facility when they are unable to perform two or more activities of daily living.  Participants may choose the daily benefit amounts and plan options that meet their needs. This benefit is employee paid on a post-tax basis.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employees and their families are provided with a confidential telephone assistance and referral service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via a 1-800 telephone number.  The information received from this resource is not associated with IMS and all information shared with the independent provider remains confidential.  EAP also offers a WorkingSolutions Program, designed to enrich and support employees as they experience life changes.  Examples of such services are child/parenting and adult/elder care support, financial services and much more. IMS provides this benefit to employees at no charge.

Cigna/WebMD Plan Cost Estimator
Using Plan Cost Estimator Tool, you can compare how your premiums and out-of-pocket expenses will vary under the different health plans available to you at IMS. You can factor in such costs as prescriptions, procedures, office visits and tests, to make a genuinely meaningful comparison. And the Plan Cost Estimator Tool will also help you determine how much to contribute to your Health Care Spending Account.  This tool is available on Cigna’s pre-enrollment web site specifically designed for newly hired IMS employees. 

Additional Employee Programs Include:
Adoption Assistance, Matching Gifts for Education, Legal Assistance Plan, Wellness Program, Business Travel Accident and Voluntary Group Accident Insurance.