The New Blog is Here!

Categorized in five key areas, the new Total Rewards Blog will offer pertinent Northwell Health work/life information in a friendly voice to view, follow, and comment on. Here's what you need to do to login to this new mobile-friendly information tool.
1. Visit the new Total Rewards Blog at Northwell.edu/mytotalrewards
2. Scroll down and type in your email address to follow the Blog
3. Feedburner will pop up thanking you for your request
4. To help prevent spam you'll be asked to type in the text displayed
5. An email confirmation will be sent to your inbox
Every time a new blog post is published you'll  receive an alert. How great is that?

Please note: this blog will have no future postings.
Questions? Email peoplecommunications@northwell.edu

AbsenceOne Becomes New Disability/Leave Carrier

As of May 1, 2016 employees who are eligible for Short- and Long-Term disability coverage will now have a new carrier to file their claim. Known for their customer service, consistent communications and state-of-art filing systems, AbsenceOne will be a reliable new partner should you request a leave of absence (LOA). Although your coverage has not changed, the process of reporting a leave has been updated due to our change in carriers.

Steps to Submit Your Leave as of May 1

1. Notify your supervisor/manager of your leave of absence, request for Short Term Disability, or a leave in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act
2. Call AbsenceOne at 855-RTW-WELL/855-789-9355 to initiate the leave with the Northwell Health Leave Claim Center
3. Provide AbsenceOne with the following information: address, phone number, employee ID or Social Security number, reason for leave, work location, physician information, and any information about a previous leave
4. Complete your portion of the Release of Information form provided to you by the Claim Center 
5. Have your physician's office complete their portion of the Release of Information provided to you by the Claim Center
6. Return all documents within 15 days of your first date of absence, or date claim reported (whichever is greater)

Northwell Health wants you to be healthy and stay healthy, but in case you do have a health-related event, know that you are in good hands with our partners at AbsenceOne!

Create you login at absenceone.com/Northwell

Clarifying the 1095-C Tax Form

By now eligible Northwell Health employees (those who are offered health coverage through their employer or union in 2015) should have received the new 1095-C Tax Form in the mail. In accordance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), this form contains information about the offer of health insurance coverage to you and your dependents in 2015.

There is no necessary action needed on on your part at this time, but here's what you should know:

1. All recipients have a "P" listed as their middle initial: this is an error in the form. You will not receive a revised form, since you do not have to file it in 2016
2. The return address for Northwell Health is listed as Lexington Ave, Manhattan, due to the fact that this form was mailed through a third party vendor
3. In reference to Part II, Line 15: this amount of dollars is the LOWEST you would pay for health insurance through Northwell Health and may not reflect what you actually pay (again - there is no action necessary on your part!)
4. If your accountant is asking you for the form tell him or her:
   "Because this requirement and form is new under the ACA, the government has granted us a one year grace period and we do not have to file with our taxes this year. If you are still my accountant next filing season .... we will be required to file the form."
5. If you are covered by a union, you will receive the 1095-C Form stating that you were not offered coverage by Northwell Health (your employer) - those union employees should expect a 1095-B Form from their union - stating the coverage offered to them (it is really the same form - just from your union)

Questions?

Rest assured - this Form is not something you need to address in 2016. If you have questions or comments please share on our Blog so other employees can learn from your query. 

What's Next?

If you recently received a tax refund - think smart before you spend it. How about increasing your contribution to your 403(b) or 401(k) retirement plan by just one percent? Reach out to a Transamercia representative for more information about your retirement savings plan: Northwell.edu/myRetirement 

New Tax Form(s) Under ACA

A new form (1095-C) will be arriving to your home address early April, from Northwell Health. The purpose of the form is to show the months in which you and your dependents were offered, or covered by, an employer sponsored health insurance plan. This information is reported to the IRS by your employer (Northwell Health). The 1095-C is for your records. This form states that you were covered (or not covered) under the employer sponsored plan.

To further explain, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) two new mandates were created:

1. Employer to send 1095-C Form to employees - save for your records 
2. Employer to send 1094-C Form to IRS

Note: the two forms contain the same information.

Union 

Employees covered by union multi-employer plans will receive 1095-B Form from the union and a 1095-C Form from Northwell Health.

Changes in the Annual Wellness Pledge Program

Each year the Wellness Pledge Program becomes a bit more robust, offering new options and resources to get you well, and keep you well. 

• The Health Assessment Pledge for You and Your Covered Spouse: As the gateway pledge, this pledge is the most important pledge of all. The health assessment (which is now called the Rally Health Survey on the United Healthcare portal) is a fun and easy way to get information about your health.
  Value and Buy-Up Plan members login to myuhc.com and click on the Rally Health Survey.
  CareConnect Employee Plan members login to access the Rally Health Survey here.
• The Financial Wellness Video Pledge: Designed to keep you in tune with your financial security in the future, this video pledge is currently in redesign and will be available to you mid-May. 
• New Pledge with the Feinstein Institute for Research: Employees now have a new option to gain credit towards the cost of their benefits by participating in clinical research. Pledge here.

Here's What You Can Do Now to Comply:

Schedule one or more preventive care appointments in 2016 prior to October 31, 2016, and you will be rewarded paycheck credits beginning with your first pay cycle in 2017:

1. Complete the Health Survey (this is re
2. Visit with your primary care physician and get a full physical 
3. Visit with your dentist and get an exam and cleaning 
4. Visit with your ophthalmologist for an eye exam 
5. Get screened for breast cancer with a mammography by Imaging
6. Get screened for skin cancer with a full body check by your dermatologist 
7. Get screened for cervical cancer with PAP Smear by your obstetrician/gynecologist
8. Get screened for colorectal cancer with a colonoscopy by Imaging
9. Have your covered spouse (if applicable) complete the Health Survey
10. Participate in the Feinstein GAP Registry

2017 Paycheck Credits for 2016 Pledge Actions
Complete all four pledges by October 31 and you will earn the maximum amount of paycheck credits in 2017 ($1,040). If you complete your pledge in November/December you will still receive the credits they will just be delayed by six to eight weeks, and you will not receive the maximum amount of credits.

If you have completed the pledges you will see the credit in each of your pay statements as follows:

• Semimonthly (paid on the 7th and 22nd of each month - 24 paychecks a year)- $10.83 for each pledge each pay cycle
• Biweekly (paid every other Thursday - 26 paychecks a year) - $10 for each pledge each pay cycle

We are happy to see that you are actively interested in this important program, keeping you in tune with your preventive care routine each year. 

Note: Newly hired employees will receive automatic credit for four Wellness Pledges. They will have six months to comply or their credits will cease.

How to Retrieve Your W-2 Form/Statement from Northwell Health

It's tax time -- and while you are busy gathering your receipts and checking in with your accountant, Northwell Health's payroll team assures you easy access to your W-2 Tax Statement. For the third year in row, Northwell has offered online access to your statement as early as January 15. All you have to do is:

1. Log in to Employee Self Service (use browser, Windows Internet Explorer on a computer, not phone, for best results)
2. Click on "Personal Information" tab
3. Click on the "Self Service" folder
4. Click on the "Payroll and Compensation" folder
5. Under Tax Information you will see "3 more..." click there
6. Then click on "View W-2 and W-2C Forms"
7. Click on "Year End Form"
8. Print, view, save your form

Note: If your 2015 W-2 Statement does not pop up - able to view and print - your popup blocker may be on. If this is the case, go to the top of your page (while still logged in) and click on "Tools". A menu will appear. Click on "Pop Up Blocker" and turn it off. Click on the "Year End Form" again, now you should be able to view, print and save your 2015 W-2 Tax Statement.

Additional Information about Accessing Your Statement
Northwell Health has made your W-2 Tax Statements available to you online since January 2014. While logged in you can view previous statements from years 2013 and 2014. If you opted out for a paper statement in the mail this year, or in previous years, your online version is the only version you will have access to. If you did not opt out for the paper statement - you should have received your 2015 Tax Statement in the mail by now. If you have misplaced your paper statement, simply retrieve your statement through Employee Self Service, as described above. The online version is just as authentic as the paper version.

Note: If you do not have access to a computer and "opted out" for the print/mail-to-home version (or you misplaced the print/mail-to-home version), contact your local site HR office for assistance.

Your Future
While money is on your mind, consider investing in your retirement by increasing your contribution to your 403(b)/401(k) retirement plan by at least one percent right now. Log in to Northwell.edu/myRetirement, select your Account, hit Manage>Contributions. Increasing your number by just one percent every year can really make a difference when it comes to your financially fit future!

New Tax Form

If  you did not have any health insurance coverage in 2015 - for the entire year, or at any point during the year - you will need to submit a 1095-C Form, when filing your 2015 taxes. Your 1095-C Tax Form will arrive in your home mailbox, from Northwell Health, on or around March 31, 2016. If this pertains to you, you will have to wait to file your taxes until you receive the form.

Note: Your W-2 Tax Statement is now available online when you log into Employee Self Service - just click on the Payroll and Compensation tab. 

Understanding the CareConnect Difference

What is CareConnect?
North Shore-LIJ CareConnect Insurance Company, Inc. (or CareConnect for short) is your plan administrator. It is fully-owned by Northwell Health, and is the first provider-owned commercial health insurance company in New York State. It was launched to make it easier for people to get and stay healthy, so it does things a little differently than most insurance companies.

In Person Customer Service
CareConnect stresses customer service. It has a walk-in Customer Care Center at 2200 Northern Blvd. in East Hills, where you can drop by any time between 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday, to talk to a Customer Service Connector. A Service Connector can answer questions about your coverage, explain potential costs, even make your doctor, lab and x-ray appointments. Bring your kids along -- they will enjoy the crayons, games and books in the play area, while you get your tasks done.

On the Phone Customer Service
Don't feel like making the trip? Just pick up the phone - a Connector will be able to answer your questions or resolve your issue. Or try the CareConnect website, CareConnect.com, to take care of simple things like printing a temporary ID card, or checking the status of a claim.

CareConnect Providers
CareConnect can also simplify your life when it's time to see the doctor, thanks to its close relationship with the providers in the network -- which includes not just Northwell Health, but many other New York health systems: Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, Montefiore Health System in the Bronx and Westchester, Northern Westchester Hospital and Mount Kisco Medical Group also in Westchester are just to name a few. Keep in mind, although the network is large, the plan does not cover out-of-network care.

In addition to making appointments that fit your schedule, CareConnect will work closely with Northwell Health's Care Solutions to make sure you have all the support you need.

All of this and lower rates too! In fact, for many employees, CareConnect Northwell Health Employee Plan rates are lower than the Value Plan. To find out more, visit CareConnect.com, email questions@nslijcc.com or read about CareConnect in your 2016 Benefits Resource Guide.

Final Deadline for 2015 Wellness Pledges: Dec 31

Northwell Health believes in taking care of you, so you can better care of our patients!

North Shore-LIJ (soon to be Northwell Health) wants you to be aware of your preventive care routine all year long. By providing you with an excellent package of benefits, the Wellness Pledge Program was designed to keep you on track with a regular, annual, preventive care routine.

What You Need to Know 
If you were enrolled in the Value or Buy-Up medical plan in 2015 you still have the opportunity to earn paycheck credits in 2016, by participating in the Annual Wellness Pledge Program. The program is open on a annual calendar basis, giving you 12 months (January through December) to take action on four health-related events. In addition to completing a necessary online Health Assessment* you have the ability to act on three of the following pledges or healthy actions:

1. Annual exam with your primary care physician
2. Dental exam and cleaning
3. Vision exam
4. Breast cancer screening (mammography)
5. Skin cancer check
6. Colorectal cancer screening (colonscopy)
7. Cervical cancer screening (Pap Smear)
8. Health Assessment by your covered spouse (can be found when logged into myuhc.com)
9. Financial wellness video (can be found when logged into nslij.trsretire.com)

Once actions have been completed your date-of-service/completion is transferred from our carriers,United Healthcare, Cigna Dental, Davis Vision and Transamerica Retirement Solutions to your Wellness Summary when logged into Employee Self Service. It takes approximately six to eight weeks for this transfer to be complete.

Deadline

You have through December 31 to comply with the program, but your 2016 paycheck credits (worth $10 per pledge per biweekly paycheck, and $10.83 per semi-monthly) will be delayed by about two to three pay cycles and will not be retroactive. 

Note: throughout 2015, participants were communicated a soft deadline of October 31 to earn maximum amount of 2016 credits. 

*The online Health Assessment is 100% confidential and necessary to earn any paycheck credits in 2016. Login to myuhc.com, click on the blue bar on the right side of the page, answer the questions to the best of your ability and hit submit. 

2016 Benefits Open Enrollment is November 30

Let's Make It Easy! 

Consider Where You Live
North Shore-LIJ is offering a a new medical plan option through our own insurance company, CareConnect. CareConnect offers coverage only through their own network, but their network is BIG - 20,000 providers and growing: Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Westchester and Eastern Long Island . Look here

Consider Childcare and Elder Care Expenses 
When Open Enrollment rolls around be sure to keep in mind what you pay out for daycare, camp and after-school expenses for a child under the age or 13, as well what you pay for providing care for an aging parent. North Shore-LIJ (soon to be Northwell Health) has partnered with WageWorks to help you save on this overwhelming dependent care expense through pre-taxed payroll deduction, called the Dependent Flexible Spending Account. Check it out on WageWork.com

Consider Your Disability Plan
You may want to consider buying up your disability plan. Employees are automatically enrolled into a 50% Short-Term Plan once hired through the health system. Consider "buying up" during Open Enrollment and you will be covered at 60% of your base pay up to $2,000 per week. Evidence of Good Health will be required.

Comments on the Blog: Go for it! We will try to answer every question asked.

North Shore-LIJ (soon to be Northwell Health) is getting ready for YOU!

There is a reason the word "well" was added to our name!
As we begin to share, in the anticipation of, and exposure to, our new name and brand promise — what better time to reflect, and be thankful for, the many rewards the health system offers us.

2016 Benefit Offerings
Open Enrollment for your 2016 benefits package begins Monday, November 30, and runs through Friday, December 11. Other than a Qualifying Life Event (QLE)*, this is your annual opportunity to enroll, waive, or change your health and welfare plans, and Flexible Spending Account(s).

New Medical Plan Choice in 2016
You now have a new plan option for your 2016 medical care coverage. In addition to the Value and Buy-Up medical plans through United Healthcare, you can also choose to enroll in the 2016 CareConnect North Shore-LIJ Employee plan.

Who Should Consider the CareConnect plan?
Due to their expanded network base - those employees who live in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Westchester should consider CareConnect
Due to their excellent customer service reputation - those employees who already visit in-system providers might want to consider the option for walk-in appointments and "one-stop shopping" when inquiring and scheduling medical appointments
Due to their low rates - yes their rates are 10% lower than the NSLIJ Value Plan

Keep in mind: Although CareConnect's plan gives you access to over 20,000+ in-system providers, it does not cover out-of-network providers and facilities. 

Example: You decide you want that knee replacement at Hospital for Special Surgery ... it will not be covered through CareConnect's Plan.
The Value and Buy-Up plan will cover the surgery, but you will pay a deductible and coinsurance.

The CareConnect plan is administered by CareConnect Administrative Services, which is owned by North Shore-LIJ. For more information about the new CareConnect North Shore-LIJ Employee Plan, email: info@nslijcc.com

Annual Wellness Pledge Program 
All three medical plans participate in the Annual Wellness Pledge Program. So whichever plan you choose for 2016,  you will have the ability to lower the cost of your benefit, by $1,040, if you participate in four healthy actions.

New Wellness Plan for All Employees
All employees now have the opportunity to participate in a system-wide, online wellness program, called myWellness. To register for this reward-based program, click here. 

Follow the Blog During Open Enrollment!
Add your work email to the tab at the top of the screen, and you will automatically receive alerts regarding your benefit choices in 2016.

Take control of your benefit choices — it's all about the Power of YOU in 2016!

*A Qualifying Life Event refers to a change in your dependent or self status, due to a recent marriage, divorce, birth/adoption of a child, or your spouse's employment. 

Compliance Facts: Wellness Pledge Program

If you are currently enrolled in the Value or Buy-Up medical plan you have still have the opportunity to earn $1,040 in 2016 paycheck credits. Complete four healthy actions prior to the soft deadline of October 31, 2015 and your paycheck credits will begin with the first pay cycle in 2016.
Those who completed their pledges in November/December will still receive credits, they will just be delayed by about 6 to 8 weeks in 2016, and will not be retroactive.

Wellness Summary
Our carriers: United Healthcare, Cigna Dental, Davis Vision, and Transamerica transmit your date-of-service (not your health information) into your Wellness Summary, which can be found under the "Personal Information-SelfService-Benefits" tab when you login to Employee Self Service.

Note:
Your Wellness Summary will not be updated for viewing for approximately 6 to 8 weeks post your action.

If you have completed your pledges by the final deadline of Dec 31, 2015: 
There is no need to call-in, fax or file claims, office visits or other documents to the HR Service Center, you have complied!
Rest assured: 
If you completed your actions before Oct 31, 2015 your paycheck credits will begin with the first pay cycle of 2016.  

If you completed pledges in November/December timeframe you will still receive credits. They will just be delayed in 2016 by 6 to 8 weeks, and will not be retroactive. 


STILL HAVEN'T STARTED?
Here's What You Need to Do to Receive Credit
Complete an online health assessment - this pledge is required in order to receive any paycheck credits offered through the program

• Login to myuhc.com
• Click on the "Health Assessment" on the far right side of screen
• Click on "Take the Health Assessment"
• Complete security questions and health information
• Hit "Submit"
• If you are having technical issues, call 877-818-5826
• You just earned yourself $260!

Choose to act on three additional healthy actions before Oct 31 and you will receive maximum credits in 2016. If you are delayed and do not complete until November/December you will still receive credits, they will just be delayed. These are your pledge choices:

1. Annual Wellness Exam
2. Dental Exam and Cleaning
3. Vision Exam
4. Breast Cancer Screening
5. Skin Cancer Screening
6. Colorectal Cancer Screening
7. Cervical Cancer Screening
8. Health Assessment for a Covered Spouse
   Your covered spouse has the option to complete the HA on myuhc.com as directed above
9. Financial Wellness Video
   Login to nslij.trsretire.com - once you hit the blue tab "view" a communications box will appear underneath "Your Retirement Outlook"
   Select the "Financial Wellness Presentation" and watch in its entirety to receive the credit

The health system cares about you, and strives to find helpful and engaging ways to keep you healthy, happy and financially secure! More to come in 2016...

Nursing Scholarship Winners

Just this past spring the Debbie Tascone Nursing Scholarship was awarded to six nursing students who are either employed by the health system or who qualify as a child or adult dependent of a North Shore-LIJ employee. This award honors those like Debbie, who will dedicate themselves to the field of nursing through their life-long devotion and excellence in service.

The winners include: 

• Kathleen Sirna, daughter of employee Joseph Sirna
• Geralyn Santos, daughter of Annemarie Santos
• Kelly Secko, daughter of Kathleen Secko
• Olumid Oyeleye, Mental Health, Zucker Hillside Hospital
• Taneshia Ellington, Unit Receptionist, Zucker Hillside Hospital
• Josann Matassa, Registered Nurse, South Oaks

As part of the process all applicants were required to answer three essay questions. These questions led the participant to share their feelings and true compassion about what it means to be a nurse.

"My father became a nurse at age 50," said Kathleen Sirna. "As a teenager, I would watch him surrounded by a bunch of books, studying, while balancing work and family. Once my father became an RN at North Shore-LIJ he became a different person. He would come home from his 12 hour shifts, smiling, and bursting to tell us what he experienced that day. Those wonderful stories are the reason I want to be a nurse," shares Kathleen.

On the topic of palliative care, scholarship winner, Taneshia Ellington states, "Enhancing the patient's quality of life during the dying process is a necessary and important goal. As a patient advocate, nurses are able to access and represent the patient's needs and quality of life preferences, vital to the development and implementation of a treatment plan."

Asked how this scholarship money will help him, Olumid Oyeleye responds, "Being gifted this scholarship I now know the process of becoming a nurse is mapped out for me. I am confident that nothing will get in my way. I am on my way to making the world a better place."

The Annual Debbie Tascone Nursing Scholarship awards $5,000 for a single academic school year, to six nursing students who exemplify North Shore-LIJ's core values. To be eligible you have to be enrolled - or have been accepted for enrollment - in an accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Associate Degree in Nursing, or currently be taking graduate, post graduate or certificate courses in palliative care.

Just another reward offered to employees at North Shore-LIJ!

More Ways to Get Your Total Rewards Information

The Internal Communications team, along with IT have been busy designing a fresh new look and navigation for the employee intranet. Set to launch on July 14, the updated employee website (currently known as HealthPort) will now house a dedicated section for Total Rewards. No more multiple clicks, hunting down information about your health benefits, employee discounts, retirement plans. The new section will be accessible under the myHR tab on the home page of the new employee intranet — check it out on July 14!

What is Total Rewards?
Your Total Rewards package refers to all the benefits and programs you have access to as a North Shore-LIJ employee. Although only a portion (about 47%) are eligible for the North Shore-LIJ health and welfare plans, there are plenty more programs that all employees can take advantage of. How about:

• Retirement planning with a Transamerica representative 
• Over 150+ local discounts with camps, gyms, eateries, shops, and so much more
• National discounts when signing up for workingadvantage.com
• Tips from payroll about how to manage your paycheck and check your time
• Confidential advice from licensed professionals at Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition reimbursement and scholarship programs
• Site and system-wide events for recognition
• Wellness programs and initiatives

New Total Rewards Blog - IN CONSTRUCTION

As our programs grow - ways to reach out to you are growing too! Be on the lookout for a brand new Total Rewards Blog, launching later this month. The new blog will have improved search capabilities - categorizing articles by subject matter and tags, a new look and feel that will include photos and live links to informative sites. The comments sections will by much more engaging with the capability to capture your name - allowing the answers to be shared with others. 

Everyday's a new day when you are an employee at North Shore-LIJ!

Retirement Planning in the Palm of Your Hand

Transamerica Retirement Solutions recently launched a major update to its mobile application. The My TRSRetire app has been enhanced with new features that gives comprehensive access to your retirement accounts from any of your mobile devices. If you have not downloaded the app yet - it's easy - just go to your App Store and search My TRSRetire.

The user-friendly interface of this free app makes it convenient to obtain an overview of all your TA retirement plan accounts, and view information such as your account and loan balances, current asset allocation, and personal rate of return information. You will have the ability to complete transactions, such as managing contributions and updating investment allocations.

Get OnTrack® While Mobile
If you have not discovered the OnTrack tool on Transamerica's website, now you have no excuse not to be in charge of your forecast for the future. As a plan participant the app will provide you a snapshot of your current strategy and projected retirement income, along with a retirement forecast that is represented by easy-to-understand weather icons. This friendly features will help you assess your retirement plan with visuals ranging from rainy, cloudy, party sunny to sunny.

So what are you waiting for? Start understanding your retirement planing - wherever you are!
For more information, visit nslij.trsretire.com or call 844-NSLIJHS (844-675-4547).

Managing Your Direct Deposit Accounts

Get the most out of your paycheck by setting up multiple accounts through direct deposit. Here's how it works:
Sarah's entire paycheck (after taxes and deductions) currently goes into her checking account with Bank of America. Sarah wants to help her son save for a car, so she sets up an additional account through payroll's direct deposit option and elects to contribute a set amount of $100 every time she gets paid. Sarah has the option to choose to elect that deduction in a percentage amount as well.

What's Next?
Sarah logs into her account on ess.nslijweb.com, goes into the personal information section, then finds the direct deposit tab under payroll and compensation.
Sarah's direct deposit information pops up - which will show her current checking account, routing and account number, deposit type, amount, and deposit order. She chooses $100 to savings and the balance to her checking. At the bottom of this screen is a button "add account". Here she can add her bank information (whatever bank she has an account with), authorize and submit. 

Where'd Her Money Go?
Sarah makes $2,000 per paycheck. With her second account set up as a savings account - $100 goes into her designated account for her son and the remaining "balance" of $1,900 goes into her general checking account with Bank of America. Sounds straight forward - right?

Keeping Going
Sarah uses her personal credit card to by office supplies and spends $200 at Staples. She submits her receipt to Accounts Payable and is reimbursed through direct deposit 6 to 8 weeks later. $100 goes to her savings account and $100 goes to her checking account. She questions where is my full reimbursement when looking at her checking account statement - she forgets her extra account is designated through Accounts Payable in addition to Payroll.

More
If she spent $101 at Staples - $100 would go to her savings account and the "balance" of $1 to her checking. That's because under the "Deposit Type" tab in the Direct Deposit setup she designates her checking as the "balance" account.

Hope this rather lengthy explanation helps you understand a bit more about how to manage multiple accounts in your direct deposit. Happy saving!

Retirement Ready Class - June 23

If you have started to think about your retirement, you may want to take advantage of the health system's educational seminar hosted by Transamerica Retirement Solutions on June 23. This interactive presentation will address some of your concerns, as you and other employees plan the next chapter of your lives.

When and Where
Tuesday, June 23, Transamerica representative, Diane Aurelio will be presenting "Get Ready to Retire" 6 to 7:30pm at the Center for Learning and Innovation, Suite 101. This informational session will provide you — and your spouse — with a higher level of clarity and confidence, enabling you to ask the right questions when making decisions about your retirement.

What to Address
To get you on track, Diane will share a six-step process to retirement planning, directing you to reliable resources and sound choices. The five key areas of discussion include your lifestyle, investments, healthcare needs, protection, and income. Although there will be other participants in the room, the seminar promises to address your individual situation, by using interactive polling devices, addressing your situation in an open forum discussion. Topics such as Medicare, Medigap, the NSLIJ Retiree Medical Plan, your will, Social Security, and much more, will be covered in this 90 minute presentation.

Be Aware
Don't let your retirement planning overwhelm you! Understanding what you have now, and what you need in the future, is the key to your peace of mind. Attendees are registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Because you cannot register a guest through iLearn's registration, seats will be reserved for spouses.

To register for the event, visit iLearn:

1. Click on the search tab, and type in keywords "Retirement Ready Class" Date: June 23
2. Hit "Add Attendees" on the left of the course name
3. Click on the first letter of your last name, and search your last name
4. Check the box next to your name and hit "enroll"
5. An email confirmation will come to your inbox - accept it to your Outlook calendar

You are one step closer to a happy retirement!

Financial Wellness Video is Live!

Ten minutes  - that's all it takes to gain valuable information about your retirement planning options and $260 in 2016 paycheck credits.

Pledge Option
Your ninth pledge option for 2015 is referred to as the Financial Wellness Video. Although it is a bit different from your other pledge options - it is just as important. After all, a big part of your future health and wellness is your financial security once you have stopped working. Although that may seem like decades away to some of you millennials out there - your saving opportunity is now.

In collaboration with Transamerica Retirement Solution, the health system's benefits team put together this special presentation (pledge) in hopes you will embrace the importance of understanding your saving actions. Whether you are well on your way to a prosperous retirement, or haven't even begun to think about it, this brief overview on the basics of investing will also educate you on the options the health system and Transamerica offer you as an employee.

What to Do to Complete the Pledge

1. Login to your TA account* on nslij.trsretire.com. 
2. Take a moment to review your "Overview" page and "Retirement Outlook".
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. On the lower right corner you will see a "Communications" box. Within that box is the link to the video.
4. When you click to view, an information box will appear. Here you will need to provide your name, an email address, your employee ID**, and a wellness code (which is pre-populated for you).
5. The video will begin. It takes a little under 10 minutes to complete this pledge, so be sure to schedule your time accordingly. 
6. You must watch and listen to the video in its entirety. No muting or skipping, or you will not receive the credit.
7. At the end of the video pledge (last screen) a red button will turn green. At this point you can exit the video and a certificate of completion will arrive in your email inbox.
8. Print and save the certificate. Your certificate will only appear once, even if you repeat the video.
9. Your pledge completion date will appear on your Wellness Summary in ESS in about 6 to 8 weeks.

*Don't have an account with Transamerica yet? If you are one of the many eligible employees who were automatically enrolled in either a 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan upon hire, you can then set up your account. When on the sign up page - just hit "Get started now" and follow the prompts.

**Your employee ID can be found on your paycheck. Visit ESS - Personal Information - Payroll - View Your Paycheck. The ID is in the upper left-hand corner in a box marked general.

Wellness Pledge Program Requires a Health Assessment

As the we approach the halfway mark in the calendar year, now might be a good time to complete your online health assessment (HA) on myuhc.com. As the gateway pledge to the Annual Wellness Pledge Program, the health assessment will help to summarize your overall health and wellness in about 15 minutes. Although the assessment should not be a replacement for your visit to doctor, it will assist in improving your next visit.

Health Assessment - Return User
Many of you may be return users. Since you already have an account - your login will take you directly to last year's HA. A portion of your information will be entered - such as your gender, height, weight, and biometrics. At this point you can update this information or leave as is. There are a total of 59 questions, which will cover your lifestyle habits. You are encouraged to answer all of these as honestly as possible. Once you have completed the 59 questions, hit continue. You will have 92 days to go back into your health assessment and change/update any of your responses. At the end of your assessment you will receive notification of your health results, which will also bring you to a printable page. This indicates your pledge as complete.

New User
If you have never registered on the myuhc portal, hit register now and follow the prompts to create your username and password. Once you have logged in to the health assessment you will be required to fill  in all fields to complete the pledge and receive your certificate of completion.

Kindness Comes on myuhc.com
Do you know someone special in your life that is due for a kind word or pat on the back?  Send an eCard, specially designed by our friends at United Healthcare, to show someone you are thinking of them. Login to myuhc.com, click on the link "Mental Health & Substance Abuse" and find eCards on the Quick Links. It's one of the many services United Healthcare shares with its members. Login and take a look around: myuhc.com.

Celebrate Your Benefits

April 2 is National Employee Benefits Day! In honor of this year's theme, which is dedicated to improving employee health and well-being, get out and do something healthy for yourself. When you do something positive to better your physical and mental state, your energy will naturally flow over to your customers, family and friends.

Schedule a Visit
Whether or not you are participating in the Wellness Pledge Program, take the time to make an appointment with one or more of your healthcare providers. Keeping on track with your preventive care routine in 2015 will make it that much more natural in the years to come. Consider your coverage in the North Shore-LIJ Benefits Plan:

• A physician wellness visit with an in-system or in-network healthcare provider is covered at 100%
• A visit with your OB/GYN, which will most likely include a Pap test for cervical cancer, is covered for the low copay of $40 (if in-system)
• A vision exam with a Davis Vision provider* is covered at 100%
• Two trips to your dentist are covered at 100% (in-network)
• A skin cancer screening by your dermatologist is covered for the low copay of $40 (if in-system)

Find In-System Providers and North Shore-LIJ Facilities HERE

Find Financial Fitness

Another great way to treat yourself well is by investing in your financial future. Take the time to celebrate your benefits by increasing your contribution to your 403(b)/401(k) plan by 1%. Maybe even consider using the Auto-Increase tool on the Transamerica website, making your saving automatic!

Get a Discount on Your Fitness

Make exercise a part your lifestyle. As a health system employee you are offered discounts to over 27 exercise facilities in the area. Big names like YMCA/Long Island/Greater NYC, Equinox, CrossFit Sanctuary, NY Health and Racquet Club, Island Fitness, as well as some locals such as Evolution Fitness in Bayville and Oyster Bay are all available to you at reduced rates. Just show your employee ID and start getting healthy - today. For a complete list visit the employee intranet>Discounts.

*As of April 1, two North Shore-LIJ Opthalmology offices are considered Davis Vision providers:

MEETH Ophthalmology, Marta Fabrykowski, OD and Christopher Lee, OD

210 E. 64th St., NYC at 212-702-7300

NSLIJ Department of Ophthalmology, Corina Busuioc, OD, Francesca Kim, OD

600 Northern Blvd., Great Neck at 516-470-2020