Are you considering how much pre-tax money you should be setting aside in your 2015 Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts? Have a conversation with your covered dependents to accurately designate the correct amount of money you plan to use in 2015. Who needs a new pair of glasses? Think about how much your child's braces will cost. Consider summer camp expenses and daycare. Need help? The WageWorks® website is a great resource, packed with tools that will make your decision-making educated and easy.
Still Have Money Left Over from 2014?
The health system has extended the use of your 2014 Dependent Care and Healthcare FSA money through March 15. Services or products need to be utilized by March 15 and claims need to be filed by March 31, or you will lose it.
In comparison, the U.S Treasury announced the Use It or Lose It ruling last year, allowing participants to carry $500 of unused Healthcare FSA money only. The health system's generous three month grace period allows you to spend whatever amount you have leftover, and does not just limit you to $500, or to just Healthcare spendings, it also includes your Dependent Care spendings.
File Claims for 2014 through March 31, 2015
If you have money left in a 2014 Healthcare or Dependent Care FSA and plan to use it between January 1 and March 15, 2015 - don't try using that 2014 Debit Card - it will be declined. And don't use your new Debit Card, because it will then be depleting your 2015 account.
Any Healthcare of Dependent Care FSA money left from 2014 should be filed through a claim only - not a WageWorks Debit Card - by March 31. Read more about how to file a claim for a Healthcare FSA or Dependent Care FSA.
Each year you participate in an FSA, WageWorks will email you your annual savings statement at the end of the year. Very cool!
Showing posts with label 2015 Open Enrollment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2015 Open Enrollment. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Understand Your Benefits
As Open Enrollment enters its second week, the Benefits Team continues to bring you information - just simplified. Keeping you informed about your benefits - in the most efficient way possible is important to us, and that is why we have provided you with the resources you need to fully understand and successfully enroll in your 2015 Benefits.
Questions About Your Benefits?
Refer to the employee intranet HealthPort-Human Resources-Benefits (this link will only work from an "In-Network" computer) for all the information you need. Open up the Benefit Guides folder and you will find information for all North Shore-LIJ administered plans. Open up the 2015 Open Enrollment Kit and find multiple one page documents on the most frequently researched topics, such as: the difference between the two medical plans, the two dental plans, what's in-system versus in-network. We hope these simplified explanation of your benefits will help you to appreciate and utilize them in 2015.
Questions About How to Enroll?
View this 6 minute video, which reviews everything you need to know to successfully enroll you and your dependents in the 2015 benefits.
Topics of Interest
Go ahead and post your comments if you have a suggestion for a conversation. We love feedback!
Questions About Your Benefits?
Refer to the employee intranet HealthPort-Human Resources-Benefits (this link will only work from an "In-Network" computer) for all the information you need. Open up the Benefit Guides folder and you will find information for all North Shore-LIJ administered plans. Open up the 2015 Open Enrollment Kit and find multiple one page documents on the most frequently researched topics, such as: the difference between the two medical plans, the two dental plans, what's in-system versus in-network. We hope these simplified explanation of your benefits will help you to appreciate and utilize them in 2015.
Questions About How to Enroll?
View this 6 minute video, which reviews everything you need to know to successfully enroll you and your dependents in the 2015 benefits.
Topics of Interest
Go ahead and post your comments if you have a suggestion for a conversation. We love feedback!
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Enrolling in Your 2015 Benefits
Open Enrollment will be live within the Employee Self Service platform - 12:01 am, December 3 and through 11:59 pm, December 17. This is your annual opportunity to make changes to your benefits package.
Logging in from an In-Network Computer
Once logged in with your Universal ID and Password, hit Benefits, Open Enrollment 2015. When Open Enrollment launches you will be "Welcomed" with a brief paragraph reminding you to elect a set amount of pre-tax dollars in your 2015 Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).
Logging in from and External Computer
You can enroll in your benefits from any computer. Visit ess.nslijweb.com, login with your Universal ID, Password and ESS Key. Once logged in, hit Personal Information - Self Service - Benefits - Open Enrollment 2015.
First Action: Flexible Spending Accounts
To emphasize the importance of understanding your FSAs, the Benefits Team has moved them to the top of the list. To learn more about the value of Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs, visit WageWorks or do a quick review on HealthPort-HR-Benefits-Open Enrollment Kit 2015.
What' Next?
Once you have set aside your pre-tax dollars for your FSAs, you will experience the following options on ESS during Open Enrollment: You can rollover, update or waive any of the benefits listed below.
Medical: Hit the next "Enroll" button and up pops a brief explanation on your medical plan choices, followed by what you currently have, and the rates. Scroll lower and you will have the ability to change your dependent coverage.
Hit Update or Discard and move on to the next.
Medical is followed by Spousal Surcharge Question (which you can keep as is or updated), and a line indicating how many (if any) Wellness Pledges you have satisfied.
Dental and Vision: Dental options follow. Same deal - a brief description, followed by what you currently have, the rates and dependent coverage.
Hit Update or Discard and move on to the next.
Disability: The Short- and Long-Term Disability sections gives you the opportunity to "Buy-Up". If you do select to buy-up, your choice will prompt The Hartford to send you an Evidence of Insurability form (EOI or proof of good health). This form must be cleared before your Buy-Up Disability is active.
Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment: As in Disability you can "Buy-Up" your Life Insurance but you will have to provide EOI to Aetna. This is referred to as Supplemental Life Insurance.
Spouse and Child Life Insurance: This area will allow you to insure your dependents at different levels of coverage.
Confidential and Complete
ESS will save your information as you go through and make your choices. Even if you have hit the Submit Button, you can still change your mind over the course of OE. A message runs throughout telling you "Enrollment will not be complete until you Submit your choices." Don't let this throw you - you have until December 17 to change your mind!
Logging in from an In-Network Computer
Once logged in with your Universal ID and Password, hit Benefits, Open Enrollment 2015. When Open Enrollment launches you will be "Welcomed" with a brief paragraph reminding you to elect a set amount of pre-tax dollars in your 2015 Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).
Logging in from and External Computer
You can enroll in your benefits from any computer. Visit ess.nslijweb.com, login with your Universal ID, Password and ESS Key. Once logged in, hit Personal Information - Self Service - Benefits - Open Enrollment 2015.
First Action: Flexible Spending Accounts
To emphasize the importance of understanding your FSAs, the Benefits Team has moved them to the top of the list. To learn more about the value of Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs, visit WageWorks or do a quick review on HealthPort-HR-Benefits-Open Enrollment Kit 2015.
What' Next?
Once you have set aside your pre-tax dollars for your FSAs, you will experience the following options on ESS during Open Enrollment: You can rollover, update or waive any of the benefits listed below.
Medical: Hit the next "Enroll" button and up pops a brief explanation on your medical plan choices, followed by what you currently have, and the rates. Scroll lower and you will have the ability to change your dependent coverage.
Hit Update or Discard and move on to the next.
Medical is followed by Spousal Surcharge Question (which you can keep as is or updated), and a line indicating how many (if any) Wellness Pledges you have satisfied.
Dental and Vision: Dental options follow. Same deal - a brief description, followed by what you currently have, the rates and dependent coverage.
Hit Update or Discard and move on to the next.
Disability: The Short- and Long-Term Disability sections gives you the opportunity to "Buy-Up". If you do select to buy-up, your choice will prompt The Hartford to send you an Evidence of Insurability form (EOI or proof of good health). This form must be cleared before your Buy-Up Disability is active.
Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment: As in Disability you can "Buy-Up" your Life Insurance but you will have to provide EOI to Aetna. This is referred to as Supplemental Life Insurance.
Spouse and Child Life Insurance: This area will allow you to insure your dependents at different levels of coverage.
Confidential and Complete
ESS will save your information as you go through and make your choices. Even if you have hit the Submit Button, you can still change your mind over the course of OE. A message runs throughout telling you "Enrollment will not be complete until you Submit your choices." Don't let this throw you - you have until December 17 to change your mind!
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Decreased Copay for In-System Urgent Care
Many minor injuries and illnesses may not warrant a trip to the local ER, yet may require some sort of clinical attention. No need to panic and spend the $150 copay for an ER visit in 2015, more and more in-system urgent care centers will be popping up within our communities at a reduced copay (in 2015) of just $30. In addition to our already established in-system centers in:
North Shore LIJ has partnered with Access Clinical Partners to create even more centers, saving you time and money on those many bumps and bruises, sneezes and belly aches.
North Shore-LIJ Partners to Create GoHealth -
In-System Urgent Care
These facilities will be open, M-F, 8 am to 8 pm and weekends, 9 am to 5 pm.
Many more in-system urgent care centers are due to open in 2015. Read more.
In-Network Urgent Care
If you are not close to any of the in-system centers that are currently open, check in with one of the many in-network/United Healthcare urgent care centers within our communities. The copay for these visits remain at $40 in 2015.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Not sure what you should do? Review United Healthcare's considerations on your level of emergency care.
- Bethpage: 4300 Hempstead Turnpike, 11714
- Rego Park: 95-25 Queens Blvd., 11374
North Shore LIJ has partnered with Access Clinical Partners to create even more centers, saving you time and money on those many bumps and bruises, sneezes and belly aches.
North Shore-LIJ Partners to Create GoHealth -
In-System Urgent Care
- Opening November 21 GoHealth: 102-29 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills
- Opening later in December, GoHealth: 5165 Merrick Road, Massapequa
These facilities will be open, M-F, 8 am to 8 pm and weekends, 9 am to 5 pm.
Many more in-system urgent care centers are due to open in 2015. Read more.
In-Network Urgent Care
If you are not close to any of the in-system centers that are currently open, check in with one of the many in-network/United Healthcare urgent care centers within our communities. The copay for these visits remain at $40 in 2015.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Not sure what you should do? Review United Healthcare's considerations on your level of emergency care.
Value and Buy-Up Medical Plans
What's the Difference Between the two Medical Plans??
First let's clarify that there are two plans - both administered through our carrier, United Healthcare: they are referred to as the Value and Buy-Up. The terms "In-System, In-Network and Out-of-Network" are not referring to the Medical Plans they are referring to the providers, facilities and services you use once you elect a plan. So when you are reviewing those medical plan grids in your 2015 Benefits Resource Guide (pages 4-9) understand - the Blue is Value and the Teal is Buy-Up They are two different plans with just a few basic differences. Now is when the terms "In-System, In-Network and Out-of-Network" come into play.
First let's clarify that there are two plans - both administered through our carrier, United Healthcare: they are referred to as the Value and Buy-Up. The terms "In-System, In-Network and Out-of-Network" are not referring to the Medical Plans they are referring to the providers, facilities and services you use once you elect a plan. So when you are reviewing those medical plan grids in your 2015 Benefits Resource Guide (pages 4-9) understand - the Blue is Value and the Teal is Buy-Up They are two different plans with just a few basic differences. Now is when the terms "In-System, In-Network and Out-of-Network" come into play.
- In-System means you are using a North Shore-LIJ healthcare provider, facility or service.
- In-Network means you are using a United Healthcare provider, facility or service.
- Out-of-Network means you are using a healthcare provider, facility or service outside of the health system and the United Healthcare network
No Differences Here!
There are no differences in the Value and Buy-Up Plans when you use in-system providers, and North Shore-LIJ facilities and services.
There are no differences in the Value and Buy-Up Plans when you use in-system providers, and North Shore-LIJ facilities and services.
Value Plan
In-System has no annual deductible and no coinsurance
In-System has a copay of $20 for primary care and $40 for specialty care
In-System has a copay of $20 for primary care and $40 for specialty care
Buy-Up Plan
In-System has no annual deductible and no coinsurance
In-System has a copay of $20 for primary care and $40 for specialty care
Differences Here
The differences in Value and Buy-Up Plans come up when you use in-network and/or out-of-network providers and facilities.
In-System has a copay of $20 for primary care and $40 for specialty care
Differences Here
The differences in Value and Buy-Up Plans come up when you use in-network and/or out-of-network providers and facilities.
Value Plan
In-Network/United Healthcare has an annual deductible or $750 for an Individual and $1,500 for Family.
In-Network/United Healthcare has a coinsurance of 30%
In-Network/United Healthcare has a coinsurance of 30%
Buy-Up Plan
In-Network/United Healthcare has an annual deductible or $500 for an Individual and $1,000 for Family
In-Network/United Healthcare has a coinsurance of 10%
In-Network/United Healthcare has a coinsurance of 10%
Value Plan
Out-of-Network has an annual deductible or $2,500 for an Individual and $5,000 for Family
Out-of-Network has a coinsurance of 50%
Out-of-Network has a coinsurance of 50%
Buy-Up Plan
Out-of-Network has an annual deductible or $1,000 for an Individual and $2,000 for Family
Out-of-Network has a coinsurance of 30%
To Sum it Up
If you want to have access to out-of -network providers, facilities and services you may want to consider paying a bit more per pay check for the Buy-Up Plan.
Most employees chose the Value Plan - in fact, in 2014 the health system had 80% domestic utilization.
Visit HealthPort-HR-Benefits and print out a copy of the 2015 Medical Plan Options.
Out-of-Network has a coinsurance of 30%
To Sum it Up
If you want to have access to out-of -network providers, facilities and services you may want to consider paying a bit more per pay check for the Buy-Up Plan.
Most employees chose the Value Plan - in fact, in 2014 the health system had 80% domestic utilization.
Visit HealthPort-HR-Benefits and print out a copy of the 2015 Medical Plan Options.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Compare Plans in Advance
With most organization's Open Enrollment occurring in November, North Shore-LIJ recognizes that you may be considering enrolling in your spouse's plan in 2015 and may need to make an educated decision - now - and not wait until December 3 (which is when North Shore-LIJ's Open Enrollment begins). That is why we have made the necessary information available to non-union employees and Lenox Hill Hospital/MEETH Registered Nurses on HealthPort>HR>Benefits.
For the Non-Union Population
Benefit Groups
- Benefit Group 1A generally refers to executives and physicians
- Benefit Group 1 generally refers to directors and AVPs
- Benefit Group 2 generally refers to managers and clinical mid-level providers
- Benefit Group 3 generally refers to staff-level employees
Location Reference
Another thing to keep in mind as you read through your Open Enrollment materials, the term "non-365" refers to employees who do not work in a facility that operates 24/7, 365 days a year. Non-365 employees receive the same healthcare benefits as an employee working in a hospital (referred to as a 365 Employee) with slightly different plans for disability, life insurance, and Paid Time Off. There in no "Non-365" status for physicians and executives.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Your 2015 Benefits - Simplified
Thanks for checking in on nslijbenefits.blogspot.com, your go-to place for Open Enrollment information - simplified. Over the next couple of weeks the Benefits Blog will share topics of interest surrounding your "non-union" benefits package.
Follow the Blog for Easy-to-Follow Information
A great way to make this information come right to your inbox is to "Follow the Blog". All you have to do is submit your email address directly to the right of this paragraph. Every time a new article is posted you will be alerted with an introduction to that post. You can choose to read further or pass. Just another way of simplifying your Benefits during Open Enrollment!
Time Frame
2015 Benefits Open Enrollment is Wednesday, December 3 through Wednesday, December 17. At this time you will have access - on Employee Self Service - to enroll, re-enroll or waive your benefits with North Shore-LIJ.
What to Consider NOW
In preparation for Open Enrollment, take the time to review the 2015 North Shore-LIJ Plan Options, found on Employee Intranet>HR>Benefits. This is the only time of year you are eligible to update or newly enroll in the health administered plans.
Note: Qualifying Life Event, which is a change in martial or dependent status, allows you to make changes in your benefits at certain milestones in your life. If you have additional questions regarding Qualifying Life Events, contact your Site HR Office.
Enrollment Options with Carrier Links
Medical (with Express-Scripts): Value or Buy-Up with United Healthcare with Prescription
Dental: DPPO or DHMO with Cigna
Vision: One plan option with Davis Vision
Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs with Wage Works
Disability: Automatic Short-Term 50% with The Hartford, options to "buy-up" with evidence of good health
Life Insurance: Automatic basic term life with Accidental Death and Dismemberment with Aetna, options to "buy-up" with evidence of good health
Compare the Cost
Compare these plans with those offered by your spouse's employer (if applicable) by viewing the 2015 Plan Rates and Costs, found on HealthPort-HR-Benefits.
Follow the Blog for Easy-to-Follow Information
A great way to make this information come right to your inbox is to "Follow the Blog". All you have to do is submit your email address directly to the right of this paragraph. Every time a new article is posted you will be alerted with an introduction to that post. You can choose to read further or pass. Just another way of simplifying your Benefits during Open Enrollment!
Time Frame
2015 Benefits Open Enrollment is Wednesday, December 3 through Wednesday, December 17. At this time you will have access - on Employee Self Service - to enroll, re-enroll or waive your benefits with North Shore-LIJ.
What to Consider NOW
In preparation for Open Enrollment, take the time to review the 2015 North Shore-LIJ Plan Options, found on Employee Intranet>HR>Benefits. This is the only time of year you are eligible to update or newly enroll in the health administered plans.
Note: Qualifying Life Event, which is a change in martial or dependent status, allows you to make changes in your benefits at certain milestones in your life. If you have additional questions regarding Qualifying Life Events, contact your Site HR Office.
Enrollment Options with Carrier Links
Medical (with Express-Scripts): Value or Buy-Up with United Healthcare with Prescription
Dental: DPPO or DHMO with Cigna
Vision: One plan option with Davis Vision
Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs with Wage Works
Disability: Automatic Short-Term 50% with The Hartford, options to "buy-up" with evidence of good health
Life Insurance: Automatic basic term life with Accidental Death and Dismemberment with Aetna, options to "buy-up" with evidence of good health
Compare the Cost
Compare these plans with those offered by your spouse's employer (if applicable) by viewing the 2015 Plan Rates and Costs, found on HealthPort-HR-Benefits.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)