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:

• 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.

Get Financially Fit with Transamerica

After an extensive review North Shore-LIJ has chosen Transamerica Retirement Solutions as the new recordkeeper for the health system's  403(b), 401(k) and 457(b) retirement plans. Transamerica will replace MetLife on April 1, 2014, and will bring many benefits to its investors; including a flat-fee structure, user-friendly tools that encourage retirement saving, and commitment to education and financial guidance.

Be Prepared
The conversion of some 50,000 accounts, worth over 3.3 billion dollars, will begin on March 28 at 4pm with MetLife and will end the week of April 20 with Transamerica. This period of time is known as the blackout period and is common in all such transactions. Although you are still invested during this time, you will not be able to access your account. North Shore-LIJ and Transamerica will be working hard to end the blackout period as soon as possible and hope to restore access to your account earlier than the projected week of April 20.

Take the Time to Review
March is a good time to consider increasing your contribution to your retirement plan. If you do decide to boost your savings you can do so by contacting MetLife at mlr.metlife.com or 855-675-4547, prior to the conversion on March 28. Or you can wait after the blackout and contact Transamerica at 844-NSLIJHS (844-675-4547) or nslij.trsretire.com.

Did You Know?
The health system encourages all employees to be smart about saving by automatically contributing 3% of your pay into a 403(b) or 401(k) plan on the one-year anniversary of your hire. To further encourage you, North Shore-LIJ will throw in a 2% match if you increase your contribution to 6%. So start thinking now about how you can get financially fit in time for your retirement.

The timeline and notices for the conversion for North Shore-LIJ plans moving from MetLife to Transamerica and the timeline and notices for the Staten Island University Transamerica fund lineup change can be found on Employee Self Service and nslij.trsretire.com.

Out-of-Pocket Maximum for 2014

Did you do a double take on page 4 of the Benefits Guide? 
Third column down on both Value and Buy-Up Plans reads Annual Out-of-Pocket $6,350 for an Individual and $12,700 for a Family. Gee didn't that say "none" in 2013? Don't be alarmed by the number ... It's not that there were no out-of-pocket expenses for in-system copays in 2013 it's just that there was no requirement for specified maximums. Due to Healthcare Reform in 2014, maximum out-of-pocket expenses now must now be specified. $6,350  is the maximum out-of-pocket you can spend on your in-system copays for yourself and $12,700 is the maximum you can spend on your in-system copays for your family.

Who Figures This Stuff Out?
Rest assured these figures were derived by Actuaries, not the Benefits Team. Actuaries analyze the financial cost of risk and uncertainty. They use mathematics, statistics and financial theory to assess the risk that an event will occur and help businesses develop policies that minimize the cost of that risk.
There! Don't you feel better knowing that?

The Retirement Team is Here for You

The Investment Committee has got your back. Retirement planning should be a two way street, you invest your money and we help to invest it wisely. In addition to researching the best funds available for your Plans, the Retirement Team at North Shore-LIJ is here to help you plan for a secure future. In collaboration with the experts at MetLife, the health system offers the Retirewise Program, an informative retirement planning program with a classroom approach, educating employees about the options and opportunities they have through North Shore-LIJ. For more information and opportunities to save for your future, email: Retirement@nshs.edu. If you want a clear definition about the funds offered through MetLife, read more.