Can I call the 877 # to ask some questions or is it only for current employees

⭐️Once I start working for Starbucks when will I be eligible for benefits?

Initial Eligibility for Variable Hour (Part-Time) Partners (U.S. mainland):�Following hire, a partner becomes eligible for benefits on the first day of the second month after he or she receives at least 240 total hours over three full, consecutive months. Variable hour partners include positions such as baristas, dishwashers, tea associates, and team leads. Total hours include both Benefits (BEN) hours to account for paid hours and Leave of Absence (LOA) hours to account for time while on approved, eligible leave.
Initial Eligibility for Full-Time Partners (U.S. mainland):�Following hire, a full-time partner becomes eligible for benefits the first day of the month following 60 days of employment. Shift supervisors and shift managers are considered full time for the purpose of initial benefits eligibility only. Rehired partners should call the Benefits Center at (877) SBUXBEN or check out the U.S. Benefits Plan Description for information about how you become eligible for benefits.

If you are hired as a barista you would be considered Part-time and essentially you would be covered FIVE months after your start date. THREE months averaging 20 hours a week to become eligible, ONE month to decide what plan you will choose after you are sent your enrollment kit and your insurance will start the following month. The reason it is 5 months is because you must have THREE consecutive FULL months, meaning if you are hired on October 20th your three months will start on November.

Example…

Hired October 20th
***Paychecks hours in November, December and January you must get 240 hours (average of 20 hours a week)
February you will be sent your enrollment package
March your coverage begins

***Paycheck hours means any hours counted the paychecks in those months will count. The first paycheck in a month will most likely include some hours from the previous month

We recommend calling the advocates after being hired to confirm the date of your initial eligibility window.

What if you are hired as a Shift Supervisor?? First off, please note that most people are not hired as shift supervisors without previous management experience and open availability (meaning you are able to work 40 hours a week). Then you are considered Full-time and your benefits will kick in sooner. See the above info for eligibility for Full-Time partners.

🚨 AS a best practice - CALL THE ADVOCATE immediately upon being hired to confirm your timeline to get your 240 hours is!!!!! This is important as it apparently may vary due to differing pay periods! Again the number is (877) SBUXBEN 🚨

⭐️Once I receive my benefits how to I stay eligible so I won’t lose them?

Ongoing Eligibility
As a Starbucks partner on the U.S. mainland, your eligibility to receive benefits such as health coverage and the Starbucks College Achievement Plan is measured twice a year. The audits are on January 6 (measuring total hours on paychecks received between July 6 and January 5) and July 6 (measuring total hours on paychecks received between January 6 and July 5) of each year. All partners must have a minimum of 520 total hours by the last paycheck received in each measurement period. Total hours include Benefit (BEN) hours, which account for your paid time, and Leave of Absence (LOA) hours, which account for any time on approved, eligible leave. Remember, hours worked at the end of a measurement period are typically not paid until the next measurement period.

Essentially you must average 20 hours a week to maintain your benefits. There will be two audits conducted each year to make sure you have the appropriate hours. You are free to work less than 20 hours a week once you get your benefits but if you don’t have 520 hours by the next audit (or lets say you have only been with company 4 months at the time they will make sure you have averaged 20 hours a week whatever that number might be) then you will lose your benefits. You can track your hours by logging onto mysbuxben.com, calling (877) SBUXBEN or checking your most recent pay stub on My Partner Info (found on the hub)

The Starbucks plan year starts at the beginning of the fiscal year which is October 1st. Deductibles and out of pocket costs will be reset at this time.

⭐️If my spouse or partner works at Starbucks can I be covered?

Yes, as long as you are added onto the plan you will be covered and eligible for the Infertility Benefits. Obviously the cost per paycheck will be higher. This includes same sex couples in domestic partnerships as well.

⭐️Do all Starbucks participate in every state?

Yes, all company operated stores. Make sure the store you apply to is not a Licensed store. If you apply from the website www.starbucks.com/careers you can see all the different company operated stores. Most stores in airports or grocery stores are not company operated so be sure to ask if you are unsure.

⭐️Can I use Starbucks insurance as secondary insurance?

Yes!

⭐️Which plan should I choose??

This one is hard to answer because there are many variables which could play into this and depending on where you live you will have different options for the carriers. The common carriers are Aetna, Cigna, Kaiser, Premera Blue Cross & United Healthcare.

⭐️Is pre-authorization needed?

Some plans do require it and others don’t so make sure you find out before you have any procedures done.

⭐️How much does it cost per paycheck?

Again, this definitely varies based on location and which plan you choose. Once it is time to enroll it will all be laid out very clearly for you. If you are just covering yourself and not your family or partner most peoples paychecks will cover the cost.

the best kaiser plan is really cheap in CA, i think $35 a paycheck or less for one person? from what my sibling has told me, kaiser is good at gender affirming care & i also have kaiser & appreciate the convenience of not having to really deal with going through insurance. if you’re somewhere south of sacramento i would recommend kaiser

The customer service line on mysbuxben website it a great help, they can answer technical medical terms, like deductible/OoP Maximum, etc. and also help you do the math of what ongoing care would look like.

If you are not doing any major surgery in the next year, I recommend the Silver tier insurance, which will put your meetings with an endocrinologist [and other specialists] at 30 dollars per visit, and your hormone therapy at 15 dollars per prescription [monthly] ...those aren't exact numbers but close to it