slight clarification . The $5000 company benefit is based upon your monthly guarantee of 72 hours . They will pay you 60% of your monthly guarantee up to $5000.

the employee buy up benefit is predicated in the previous years W2 earnings. You receive 60% of that monthly number up to $15,000 max .

I emailed HR 2 years ago with this exact question. I saved the email response explaining it this way.

what does this cost? buying extra beyond the company's $5K

varies on the buy up amount and changes year over year as premiums increase. Believe right now it’s around $45 check if you qualify for the max buy up

next to nothing.

last year it was $45 a check if you qualified for max buy up. Every year it’s adjusted based on new premium rates and your last W2. You only pay for what you can qualify for.

point to remember is you should sign up for max buy up when you get hired eventhough you won’t qualify for it. Your premium will be one cent I think but it’s important to sign up as a new hire because you can do it without an evidence of insurability or a physical. If you wait you’ll need to do it and they’ll find every reason to deny you.

you’re medical is so fragile. This is the most valuable insurance you can buy. Get it!

THIS^^^^ +1000
Once upon a time I had a similar policy - but it was an order of magnitude more expensive. I wish I hadn't dropped it.
I will mos def sign up for the max!

Thanks for the info, now I just need to get the call. Application says under review, so hopefully that means I at least passed the Gallup!

Mine said under review for nine months before I got the interview.

ouch but I guess that is not as bad as waiting years for a Legacy call!

absolutely. Got the email for a phone interview out of the blue in January never made it to a MTC though I did try in December.