Employee Benefits

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) offers a wide range of competitive employee benefits to help you live well. 

PAFA is aware that rising healthcare costs are a concern to you and your family. Our participation in the Philadelphia Area Independent School Business Officer Association (PAISBOA) provides advantages over dealing directly with insurance companies. 

For benefit eligibility, please contact Human Resources.

HEALTH.

Medical, Prescription and Vision Plan Benefits 

PAFA is aware that rising healthcare costs are a concern to you and your family. Our participation in the Philadelphia Area Independent School Business Officer Association (PAISBOA) provides advantages over dealing directly with the insurance companies. In fact, we have been able to provide various options, at a great value, during a time when many organizations have seen dramatic increases in the cost of their coverage. Four medical plan options are available through Independence Blue Cross (IBX).

The plans differ when it comes to how they share the cost with you and with the coverage each offers. Additionally, employees who elect medical coverage also receive vision coverage through Vision Benefits of America (VBA) and prescription coverage through IBX. We encourage you to review all plan documents prior to making any decisions. Additional information is available on the PAISBOA HBT Microsite or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Annual Enrollment.

Open enrollment for medical, dental, and optional insurance coverages occurs on an annual cycle each September for benefits effective in the new plan. We encourage all eligible employees to review the 2023-24 PAISBOA Enrollment Guide for additional information.

Pharmacy Benefits.

Through IBX, we are able to provide convenient pharmacy and cost-effective prescription benefits to help alleviate the hassle of managing your wellness. Access your prescription drug benefits through your member account at ibx.com/paisboa and learn more about this benefit by clicking here.

Prescription Mail Order.

Prescription mail order, also known as home delivery, is available through IBX. If eligible for and enrolled in medical insurance through a PAFA provided plan, you can use this How to Use Mail Order Guide for assistance.

Transgender Services.

PAFA is proud to partner with providers such as Independence Blue Cross who support equitable whole-person healthcare regardless of gender, race, age, sexual orientation, economic status, or ZIP code. Click the link to check out the various Transgender Services provided.

Dental.

PAFA is pleased to offer two ancillary Dental Plan options, administered by Delta Dental of Pennsylvania. The two plans, Delta Dental Basic and Delta Dental Enhanced, operate using the same network, but vary based on the coverage limits and procedures covered. 

Vision.

Eligible employees who elect a PAFA provided medical plan also receive vision coverage through Vision Benefits of America (VBA).

Retirement Healthcare Guidance.

HTA Insurance Services is on a mission to help solve complicated insurance problems related to retirement planning; more specifically, Medicare. They are hear to answer all your questions, listen to your concerns, and more.

Medicare Supplement Information.

Employees who are nearing retirement, or age 65, and considering Medicare can review this Medicare Quick Reference Guide for information on options.

Doctor on Demand.

IBX understands that health includes both physical and mental health. That’s what they offer Doctor on Demand Services for both Virtual Care and Mental Health.

WELLNESS & FITNESS.

Contact Human Resources for benefit eligibility.

HEALTH, ACCIDENT & DISABILITY INSURANCE

SHORT-TERM DISABILITY Provides benefit of 66 2/3 percent of an employees weekly earning in effect on the date the employee becomes disabled, up to $1000 per week. The maximum benefit period is 24 weeks. Learn more.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY Provides benefit of 60 percent of basic monthly earnings, not to exceed a monthly maximum benefit of $12,500. There is a waiting period of 180 consecutive days. Learn more.

SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE PAFA offers employees who are eligible for life insurance the option of purchasing additional coverage. Benefits eligible employees may purchase these benefits in increments of $10,000, $5,000 for spouses or domestic partners, and $2,000 for dependents. Pricing is determined on an individual basis by the insurer. Please speak to a member of the Human Resources Department for more information. Learn more.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS

  • Provided through Benefit Resource, Flexible Spending Accounts are a voluntary benefit that helps you save money by allowing you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible expenses. Check out this Enrolment Brochure for more information.

  • All benefits eligible employees have the opportunity to participate in pre-tax deductions for Qualified Transportation Expenses provided through Benefit Resource. Deductions will be made from the employee’s pay based on the amount elected for qualified mass-transit and parking.

  • Participants of the HDHP 2500/5000 plan have the option to enroll in an HSA, a tax-favored savings account in which employee elections are processed through bi-weekly payroll deductions. Provided through Health Equity, a health savings account (HSA) allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible medical expenses such as co-pays, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket medical expenses.

FINANCIAL WELLNESS

  • TIAA 403B RETIREMENT PLAN

    TIAA 403B RETIREMENT PLAN

    All employees who work 1,000 hours or more in a calendar year and who are age 21 or older are eligible to participate in the TIAA defined contribution pension plan. Employees may elect to participate with a minimum contribution of 1% of their base salary. PAFA will match this contribution up to 4%. Contact Human Resources to enroll.

  • FinFit FINANCIAL WELLNESS TOOL

    Through Paychex Flex, we are able to provide the financial wellness tool FinFit. This platform is here to help you achieve your financial goals and support you throughout your journey with financial services, tools and resources to help you live a more financially secure life. You must have a Paychex Flex account to use this benefit.

  • AUTO & HOMEOWNER INSURANCE

    PAFA has partnered with Liberty Mutual to offer employees a special discounted rate on auto, home, and other insurance policies. Special benefits and savings offered by Liberty Mutual include, 24-Hour Claims Assistance, Accident Forgiveness, Better Car Replacement, and Multi-Policy Discount.

  • OneDigital FINANCAL ACADEMY

    Our investment advisors at OneDigital have an online collection of videos and webinars on demand on all things related to achieving financial wellness. We encourage all employees to take advantage of the content and start your wealth journey!

EDUCATION SUPPORT

PAFA offers employees and their dependents options to support in their education journey. Whether you want to sign your youngest up for some homework help, or dive into your artistic and creative passions or finish your degree PAFA has an option for you.

If you are a regular full-time and part-time employee and have successfully completed the probationary period, you are eligible participate.

  • Employees may enroll in four (4) courses per calendar year, provided there is space in the class, and they meet the cost contribution. Spouses, partners, and children of eligible employees, may receive a 50% discount on continuing education courses. Please refer to the plan description for the application process, taxation, and other eligibility requirements.

  • All PAFA employees are eligible to receive the Varsity Tutor 20% discount. Varsity Tutors helps students learn to fit their unique needs. With 1-on-1 online tutoring and live online classes in over 3,000 academic and enrichment subjects, Varsity Tutors can help you reach just about any learning goal.

  • Through this partnership, employees, as well as their spouse, partner, and dependents, can take advantage of lower tuition rates with the University of Cincinnati Online and its 100+ online degree/certificate options. Please review the benefits summary for more information.

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), in its sole discretion, reserves the right to make changes to, delete, suspend, or discontinue its benefits plans and programs at any time. The benefits plan overview describes the benefits offered by PAFA in non-technical language. Your specific rights are governed solely, and in every respect, by the official documents and not by this plan overview. If there are any discrepancies between the information presented here and the official plan documents, the language of the official plan document will prevail as accurate. The benefits summary is presented as a matter of information only. It is not intended to create a contract, expressed or implied, of any kind whatsoever between PAFA and its employees.