This Q&A has been prepared to inform you of the new Ballad Health benefit plans and key points you should be aware of and to answer questions you may have about the FY19 benefit plans. Should you have questions not answered below, please use the resources mentioned or contact the HR4U Hotline at 423-431-HR4U (4748) or email at HR4U@balladhealth.org.
Q – When is open enrollment?
A – Open Enrollment 2018 is May 16 through May 31. Enrollment is required this year so all team members will need to go online and enroll in the new Ballad Health benefits. Benefits will be effective 7/1/18 – 6/30/19.
Q- How do I enroll?
A– Legacy Mountain States team members need to sign on to the HR & Payroll Service Center found on the Mountain States intranet Pulse page. Click on Benefits, then Open Enrollment. Legacy Wellmont employees need to Sign on to Self-Service on Wellnet. Under My Benefits, click on Benefit Open Enrollment.
Q – How can I see what benefits are being offered effective 7/1/18?
A – Visit the Ballad Health benefit site found on the Intranet>Departments>Human Resources>Click on Open Enrollment Information link. Here you will find the 2018-2019 Benefits Guide, a copy of this Q&A, premium costs, pharmacy drug listings and other helpful information.
Q – What if I do not want to make any changes in my current elections?
A – Your current benefits will not carryover so you will need to go online and make your new Ballad Health benefit elections. If you do not enroll online, you will be enrolled in the Basic Life/AD&D and Option 1 Long Term Disability plans which are paid by Ballad Health.
Q – Who is eligible for the Ballad Health Benefits package?
A – Team members working a minimum of 30 hours per week or 60 hours per pay period are classified as benefit eligible.
Q – What if I have questions about enrollment, or my benefits?
A – There are many opportunities to get your questions answered including: online learning sessions (or listen to a recorded version of them), short instructional videos or you may call the HR4U Hotline at 423-431-HR4U (4748) Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You may also email HR4U@balladhealth.org and visit the Ballad Health Benefits Site on the Intranet.
Q – What medical plans will be offered?
A – Ballad Health will offer the Ballad Health Choice Plan and the Ballad Health Bronze Plan for FY19. Both plans are high-deductible health plans and are administered by BlueCross BlueShield of TN.
Q – Will team members who are part time with benefits pay higher premiums than those who are full time with benefits?
A – No, team members who are PT with benefits and FT with benefits will pay the same premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Q – Will I be able to enroll my spouse in the Ballad Health Choice or Ballad Health Bronze medical plans?
A – If your spouse is eligible for medical coverage through his or her employer’s medical plan, they cannot be covered on the Ballad Health medical plans. Spouses not eligible for coverage through their employer can be covered under the plan. A spousal affidavit is required to confirm eligibility. Team members eligible to cover a spouse will pay the family premium rate which includes, team member, spouse and any children.
Q – Will I be able to cover my spouse who works for Ballad Health?
A – If your spouse works for Ballad Health in a benefit eligible position and is not offered employer sponsored insurance from another employer, you can cover them under the Ballad Health medical plans. You pay the family premium rate which includes, team member, spouse and any children.
Q – What are the medical premiums for the Ballad Health Bronze plan for FY19?
A – The per-pay-period premiums are:
Bronze Plan
Team Member Only $41.59
Team Member + Child(ren) $300
Family (includes Spouse & Children) $450
Q – What are the medical premiums for the Ballad Health Choice plan for FY19?
A – All team members will initially pay the lowest premium rates for coverage effective July 1, 2018. Upon completion of the wellness screening, your premium rates will adjust based on participation in the wellness program and nicotine usage. The structure for the medical plan is as follows. See additional premium rate structure in the benefit guide.
Ballad Choice
Team Member Only $35
Team Member + Child(ren) $45
Family (includes Spouse & Children) $80
Q – Do I have to participate in the wellness program?
A – The wellness program is a voluntary program. You and your eligible spouse enrolled in the health plan are encouraged to participate but it is not a requirement. Premiums are structured based on participation in the wellness program and nicotine usage.
Q – What are the components of the Wellness Program?
A – The wellness program consists of completion of an online personal health survey, lab work, collection of biometric data such as height, weight, heart rate and blood pressure and health coaching.
Q – When will the Wellness Screenings occur?
A – The wellness screenings will be held in June and July at various locations. More information including a schedule of dates and times will be available soon. The information will also be posted on the Ballad Health Benefit site.
Q – What are the company contributions to the health savings account?
A – The company contributions to the health savings account will be the same as last year, half contributed in July and half contributed in January.
Ballad Choice Bronze Plan
Team Member Only $600 $0
Team Member + Child(ren) $1,200 $0
Family (includes Spouse & Children) $1,200 $0
Q – How do I change the health savings account contributions coming out of my paycheck?
A – You will set up your contribution amount to begin 7/1/18 while completing the online open enrollment process. Any changes throughout the year can be done by completing the contribution form found on the Ballad Health Benefit Site.
Q – What bank will hold the health savings account employer/employee contributions?
A – Once an account is opened, all contributions will be sent to Optum Bank for deposit into your account. For more information, log on to www.optumbank.com. This is a new bank for legacy Wellmont team members. An account will be opened during open enrollment for you with Optum Bank.
Q – If I have a health savings account with another bank, can I roll my balance into the Optum Bank health savings account?
A – You can rollover HSA balances from another bank into your Optum Bank account by completing a rollover transfer from. Legacy Wellmont team members will receive a separate communication in the mail. For more information log on to www.optumbank.com.
Q – If I enroll in the health savings account, can I also enroll in the flexible spending accounts?
A – If you are enrolled in the Health Savings Account, you cannot enroll in the flexible spending medical account. You can only be enrolled in one tax-advantaged medical account. You are eligible to also enroll in the dependent care spending account. For more information log on to www.optumbank.com.
Q – What pharmacy drugs are covered under the plan?
A – Optum Rx administers the pharmacy plan. You can locate the preventive drug list, formulary list and drug exclusion list on the Ballad Health intranet page. You are encouraged to utilize a Ballad Health retail pharmacy to receive lower co-insurance than other non-owned pharmacies.
Q – What are the dental plan offerings for FY19?
A – There are three dental options for FY19. All options cover preventive and diagnostic care. You can also choose a plan that provides basic plan, major care, and orthodontics depending on your family needs. To receive the maximum discount, you’ll want to be sure your dental provider participants in the Delta Dental Premier or PPO plan. The premium cost per pay is listed below.
Option 1 Option 2 Option 3
Team Member Only $7.93 $12.97 $16.19
Team Member + 1 (Spouse or Child) $12.25 $27.75 $24.62
Family (Spouse & Children) $20.29 $34.24 $51.99
Q – What are the vision offerings for FY19?
A – The vison plan is through VSP and 2 options are available. The vision premiums are:
Option 1 Option 2
Team Member Only $2.69 $3.98
Team Member + 1 (Spouse or Child) $5.87 $8.17
Family (Spouse & Children) $9.28 $12.37
Q –Will I receive new ID cards?
A – If you enroll in the medical/pharmacy and dental plans you will receive new BlueCross BlueShield, OptumRx, and Delta Dental ID cards. Cards will be mailed to your home. If you enroll in the vision plan, you will not be issued an ID card. You simply contact a VSP choice provider and tell them you are a team member of Ballad Health and they will take care of the rest.
Q – Are there any changes to the life or disability plans?
A – Yes, there are additional disability plan options to choose from. Life insurance has some expanded options/benefit amounts. This year is guaranteed issue for all plans. This means you can enroll in any option that best fits your needs without completion of a medical form. Be sure to review the benefits guide to understand your life and disability plans.
Q – Will I maintain enrollment in the voluntary benefits?
A – If you are currently enrolled the voluntary benefit plans, these enrollments will continue at this time. Enrollment for new Ballad Health voluntary benefit plans will take place at a later time.
- Current Mountain States Voluntary benefits are Critical Illness, Accident, Whole Life, Portable Short Term Disability, Pet Insurance, Purchasing Power, Legal Plan, Home & Auto Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
- Current Wellmont Voluntary benefits are Critical Illness, Accident, and Lifetime Benefit Term Life.
- Current Laughlin Voluntary benefits are Critical Illness/Cancer and Accident.
Q – If I am currently enrolled in a voluntary plan and do not wish to make any changes, do I need to do anything?
A – Any voluntary benefit you are currently enrolled in will stay in effect unless you contact the carrier to stop your benefit.
Q – If I am currently enrolled in the Air Flight program, can I continue this benefit?
A – The Air Flight program through AirMedCare or PHI Cares requires enrollment each year. Please watch for detail on times and locations that will be available for you to sign up for coverage.
Q – What are the major medical leave accruals (MML)?
A – Major medical leave accrues based on hours worked each pay period. If you are working 80 hours per pay period, you will accrue 8 days of MML per year. If you work less than 80 hours per pay period you will accrue a prorated amount each pay period based on hours worked. Maximum accrual is 960 hours.
Q – When can I utilize my MML hours?
A – MML can be used after the 24th hour of absence due to illness or immediately when hospitalized or for surgery requiring general anesthesia.
Q – How will I accrue PTO?
A – PTO accrues based on hours worked. If you are working 80 hours per pay period, you will accrue the maximum PTO based on years of service. If you work less than 80 hours per pay period you will accrue a prorated amount each pay period based on hours worked. The maximum PTO carryover per year is 100 hours. If you are a legacy Wellmont employee, you will receive additional communication about the transition plan to carryover PTO hours.
Q – Can I cash out PTO during the year?
A – PTO can be cashed out one time during the year up to 40 hours.