What to Expect from the Clinical-Based Pledges

If you are a non-union, benefits-eligible employee, who just happens to be reading your emails from the Department of Total Rewards, you know by now there is a new design to the 2015 Wellness Pledge Program. In close collaboration with the Wellness Team, the Program was rethought to encourage employees to better engage in their health care routine, by proactively scheduling exams and screenings that are tracked through North Shore-LIJ's carriers, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna Dental and Davis Vision. You are recognized for your preventive care pledge compliance with $260 for each pledge, credited to your paycheck beginning January, 2015.

Choices
As mentioned in the previous post - you now have choices - in fact you have nine of them! Out of those nine pledges, seven need scheduling on your part. Take the time to review your options carefully, as they were designed to give you the opportunity to act proactively on your health and preventive care - long before enrolling in your 2015 benefit plans.

What to Expect at Your Visit or Screening
Some of you may have never scheduled a physician wellness visit before, or perhaps it's your first time to the dermatologist. Whatever your level of knowledge is - it's always good to know more. For more information about the seven clinically-based wellness pledges read more on HealthPort - HR - Benefits. 

2015 Wellness Pledge Program Starts Now!

Your wellness should be top of mind all year round. That's why the health system has redesigned the Wellness Pledge Program for all benefits-eligible employees who plan to enroll, or re-enroll, in the North Shore-LIJ Value or Buy-Up medical plans with UnitedHealthcare in 2015.

Available Now
Unlike previous years, the Wellness Pledges are available to you now through September 30, 2014. In conjunction with Employee Wellness, the Benefits Team is hoping by offering you these opportunities well in advance of Open Enrollment you will  be more prone to take positive action about your health early on.

Here's How it Works
You have from January 1 to September 30, 2014 to complete four Wellness Pledges in exchange for four paycheck credits in 2015. Each pledge is worth $260 annually, totaling $1,040 in savings to your pockets in 2015.
Step One: You must choose to complete and submit your health assessment in order to proceed with the other three out of nine pledges offered. The reason for this HA requirement is so you take accountability of your health.

• Visit myuhc.com
• If you have not registered yet: register, login, then click the blue button on the right side of the screen "Health Assessment" - this will take you to another registration and login screen where you will use the same username and password you used for myuhc
• If you are already registered from last year: Simply login and click on Health Assessment and begin the assessment
• Once complete hit submit, and save your confirmation statement.

Keep in Mind

• You cannot resubmit your HA until six months have passed since your last Health Assessment
• If you were unable to complete your 2014 HA until January 2014, your HA is then good for 2015 Wellness Pledge compliance

Step Two: Choose to complete three of the nine pledges listed below before September 30, 2014. Each pledge will be tracked by one of three carriers: UnitedHealthcare, Davis Vision or Cigna. There is nothing for you to track. Choose to act on three of the following Wellness Pledges now, in exchange for paycheck credits in 2015:

1. Physician Wellness Visit
2. Dental Exam 
3. Vision Exam 
4. Breast Cancer Screening
5. Skin Cancer Screening
6. Colorectal Cancer Screening
7. Cervical Cancer Screening
8. Wellness Education Video (not active - you will be notified once live)
9. Health Assessment for a Covered Spouse

For more information and instructions about the 2015 Wellness Pledge Program, visit HealthPort-HR-Benefits.

Visit UnitedHealthcare Online at myuhc.com

If you have medical benefits through North Shore-LIJ's Value or Buy-Up Plan then you have access to valuable health information housed on UnitedHealthcare's confidential  myuhc.com website.

Get Started

Once registered and logged in, you can view your benefits and coverage, medical and reimbursement policies, all while utilizing  interactive tools, such as myHealthcare Cost Estimator,  a tool designed to estimate your healthcare costs, leading you to better decision making.

Great Resource for Health Information

In addition to being a great resource when managing your services and claims, myuhc.com shares valuable health information that is constantly updated and refreshed.

• View May's Wellness Online featuring Blood Pressure Awareness.
• Visit the LiveWell, BeWell, WorkWell section - covering sensitive topics such as grief and loss, domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse, anger management and so much more*. 
• And don't forget to check in and utilize the I Do section. Here you can research weight management, stress relievers, exercise, nutrition and general preventive care.

Download the Health4Me App

Now you can get all this information - and more - right in the palm of your hand. Download the free Health4Me app to your Smartphone and get myuhc.com on the go. Take a moment and view this brief video to see how it works.

*If you find yourself dealing with difficult topics or feelings, be sure to reach out to the North Shore-LIJ behavioral health experts at the Employee Assistance Program: 1-877-327-4968 or eap2@nshs.edu. EAP is a professional, confidential counseling service designed to help you resolve problems that have an impact on your life at home, school or work.

Sunny Skies Ahead

Great news for all North Shore-LIJ retirement plan participants: the blackout period is over and your account is now accessible through our new administrator, Transamerica Retirement Solutions. In collaboration with North Shore-LIJ, Transamerica was able to successfully transfer most North Shore-LIJ retirement funds (with the exception of frozen plans) and align the Staten Island University Hospital funds in just a few weeks. Working hard to efficiently and effectively move your retirement funds is the first step towards building a valuable partnership with Transamerica, and the health system hopes you recognize this accomplishment with serious consideration for your future retirement.

Get Moving!
It's time to take a closer look at exactly what your retirement funds look like. To get started, visit nslij.trsretire.com or call 844-NSLIJ (844-675-4547) and set up your user ID and password. Once logged in you will be able to view and access your account.

Don't Know What to Do?
Transamerica representatives will be at many locations, running group meetings through May. Take advantage of this valuable resource and learn more about how you can actively participate in your financial future. Get closer to your retirement goals by learning how to manage your account with interactive tools that are not only easy to navigate through but actually fun to use. Reserve your spot today! Can't make a meeting? Webinars are also available at nslij.trsretire.com.

Keep it Going!
Now is  a great time to consider increasing your contribution to your 403(b) or 401(k) plan. Make an additional commitment to your future and aim for contributing at least 10% of your eligible pay. Can't quite afford that yet? Try the Auto-Increase service, this will automatically increase your contributions at set times. Start off slowly, maybe 1% every 18 months. Little by little your clouds will give way to sun!

New Fee Structure with Transamerica

We've received several comments regarding the health system's new retirement plan fee structure at Transamerica. This new fee structure was carefully considered by North Shore-LIJ for the benefit of all employees.

To Clarify
With Transamerica, you will pay one flat record-keeping fee. At MetLife, you paid a flat record-keeping fee and an additional fee that was a percentage of your total account balance. In other words, with MetLife, the more you saved, the more fees you had to pay. We hope that by removing this percentage-of-savings fee you will save more and not feel penalized by the higher fee.

Building your retirement savings is a healthy goal that should be supported by fees that do not increase along with your savings.

With MetLife, the annual and percentage fees resulted in an average total fee of $77 per year. At Transamerica, the annual record-keeping fee will be $60 for the 403(b) and 401(k) plans, and $90 for the 457(b). You'll see this fee billed in quarterly installments on your account statements (in addition to any fees charged by the companies that manage your investments).

One flat fee also means employees pay an equal and fair share of costs for administering the plan. Since a person with a low balance receives the same plan administrative benefits and resources as a person with a high balance, the health system and the Investment Committee believe this fee should be shared equally as well.

We hope this helps you better understand the changes to the retirement plans' fee structure. For more information, visit the Transition Portal on nslijtrs.retire.com.

Thanks very much for your feedback and support.

EZ Receipts App Eliminates Paper

If you participate in the pre-tax payroll deductions through WageWorks®, check out the new mobile app now offered for your iPhone, Blackberry or Android. EZ Receipts™ allows you to manage your healthcare, dependent care and commuter benefit accounts while on the go. No more copying, mailing or faxing, with EZ Receipts all it takes is a few clicks and you are done.

Access the App

• First step- register with WageWorks by creating an online username and password. Visit wageworks.com and follow the prompts
• Learn about the Mobile Site and download the app by visiting wageworks.com/aboutmobile

Mange Your Accounts

• Snap a picture of your receipt(s) and send right to your account - it's that easy!
• In addition to submitting, you can also view your claims and activity, and profile and preferences

To learn more, view this helpful video from WageWorks.

Dependent Audit for Benefits

Have you received a letter in the mail asking for proof of your dependents? If so, it is important that you reply with the correct documentation, such as a birth certificate or marriage license. North Shore-LIJ is verifying that all dependents currently covered by the health system-sponsored medical plans are actually eligible for this coverage. If it turns out your loved one is not eligible for our health plans you will not be penalized but you will have to find alternative coverage. If you need assistance providing the documentation requested contact the  third party vendor, ACS, HR Solutions at 1-888-218-1475.

Some of the relationships that are not legitimate for dependent coverage include:

• Ex-spouses
• Live-in partners or roommates 
• Girlfriends/boyfriends or same-sex domestic partners
• Cousins, nieces, nephews, sisters, brothers, parents
• Neighbors and/or friends
• Children over 26

In order to be eligible for medical coverage your dependent must be: 

• A legally married spouse
• Children under the age of 26 - natural, step and adopted
• Unmarried children who are incapable of self-support due to physical or mental disability