Dear Ballad Health team member,
It’s that time of year – open enrollment for Ballad Health benefits will run from Friday, May 22, to Friday, June 5.
This year, if you do not need or want to make any changes to your current benefit elections, you will not need to complete the online open enrollment process; however, the annual enrollment period is a good time to review your current benefits package, make any changes and review your beneficiary information.
Because open enrollment is not required this year, if you don’t need to make any changes to your benefits – you will maintain your same benefit elections for the new benefit plan year, which begins July 1. As a reminder, to continue enrollment in the Flexible Spending Medical or Dependent Care accounts, you must go online and make a new election.
- Log into the HR & Payroll Service Center on the Ballad Health intranet to review your benefits or to start the enrollment process and make changes.
- Click here for our FY21 detailed benefit guide which includes open enrollment instructions on Page 7.
Details about the FY21 benefits package
Medical – Ballad Health will continue to offer two high-deductible health plans through BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee – the Ballad Health Choice plan and the Ballad Health Bronze plan.
Ballad Health Choice medical plan updates
- Premiums: There will be a slight increase in team members’ cost share of the premium. The premium rates shown during the online open enrollment process are based on your FY20 wellness results. If you and/or your covered spouse completed everything for the wellness program last year and you don’t use tobacco, you will again receive the lowest premium rate going forward for FY21 (starting July 1, 2020). Additional information regarding the wellness program and how it may impact your premiums for FY21 can be found by clicking here. If you’re on the HR site, click on the “FY21 Wellness Screening.”
- Deductible change: The Ballad Health preferred provider deductible will remain unchanged at $1,500, individual/$3,000, family. The BlueCross BlueShield Blue S/PPO Network deductible will change to $2,000, individual/$4,000, family.
- NEW – Services paid at 100% after deductible: Outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy; outpatient lab; and outpatient MRI, PET and CT scans will be covered at 100% after the deductible is met, if a Ballad Health-employed provider or facility is used. These services will be paid at 80% after the deductible if a non-employed Ballad Health provider or facility is used.
Ballad Health Bronze medical plan updates
Out-of-pocket maximum change: The Ballad Health preferred provider and BlueCross BlueShield Blue S/PPO Network out-of-pocket maximums will change to $5,400, individual/$10,800, family.
Choice and Bronze medical plan updates
- New – Preventive: 3D mammography will be covered as part of the preventive benefit at 100%, no deductible.
- PhysicianNow (telehealth): This program lets you talk with a physician from your home or office by phone or secure video. The board-certified physicians can help treat non-emergency medical conditions. Each visit is $40, subject to deductible and co-insurance. Sign up today by calling 888-283-6691, registering at bcbst.com/member or by downloading the mobile app and searching for PhysicianNow (one word).
Other benefits
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – All benefit-eligible team members and covered dependents are eligible for six EAP visits each plan year at no cost. Additional visits are covered at a $25 co-pay.
Health Savings Account (HSA) – For eligible team members enrolled in the Choice plan, Ballad Health will continue to make a $600 contribution for team member-only coverage and a $1,200 contribution for team member, children and family coverage to your HSA. Contributions are made twice per plan year – half in July and half in January.
Flexible Spending Accounts – To continue the medical and/or dependent care spending account, a new election must be made during this open enrollment period. Note: If you are enrolled in the HSA you are not eligible for the flexible medical spending account.
Diabetes Program – The diabetes management program is available to team members and dependents enrolled in one of the medical plans who have a diagnosis of diabetes. Participation is free.
Pharmacy – No change. Please review the updated drug listings online at optumrx.com for July 1.
Dental – There will be a slight increase in dental premiums. Beginning in July, preventive services will not apply toward the plan annual maximum limit.
Vision – No change in premium. Effective July 1, Sam’s Club and Walmart stores will be considered in-network providers.
Supplemental Life Insurance – Team members not currently enrolled in supplemental life coverage can elect their yearly salary in coverage, without completion of an evidence of insurability (EOI) form. Team members currently enrolled in coverage can increase an additional year’s salary coverage without EOI. Additional life coverage requested will require completion of an EOI form.
Dependent spouse life and child life insurance – Team members not currently enrolled in dependent spouse coverage will need to complete an EOI form. Team members currently enrolled in coverage can increase one level ($10,000) in coverage without EOI. Additional requested spouse life coverage will require completion of an EOI. Child life coverage in any amount can be elected without EOI.
Supplemental accidental death and dismemberment insurance – Team members can enroll in coverage in any amount without completion of an EOI form.
Short-term disability – Short-term disability can be elected or increased without completion of EOI during this enrollment period. New or increased coverage elections are subject to pre-existing conditions. Short-term disability will be paid after the waiting period and is supplemental to any PTO/MML usage.
Long-term disability – Team members can elect to increase coverage without completion of EOI during this enrollment period. The increased coverage election is subject to pre-existing conditions.
Voluntary benefits – Team members can enroll in the following plans on the HR & Service Center Portal in Lawson: critical illness/accident, legal insurance and identity theft insurance. Team members will also be able to enroll in the whole life plan with guaranteed issue during this enrollment period, as well as pet insurance, home/auto and purchasing power. The enrollment links are available on the Ballad Health Benefits page by clicking on the Voluntary Benefits button.
AirMedCare Membership – Team members will be able to enroll or renew membership in the Air Flight program through AirMedCare’s online portal at airmedcarenetwork.com/businessplanregistration. The coupon code is 7544-TN-BUS. Payroll deduction is available over one pay period for an annual or multi-year membership plan.
There are multiple resources available to you during this open enrollment period. All detailed information for open enrollment is available on the Ballad Health Benefits page on the intranet. You can access the Benefits page by looking on the Ballad Health intranet main page under “Quick Links” on the left. The detailed benefit guide is available there, or you can obtain a copy from any human resources location. You can also call HR4U with questions at 423-431-HR4U (4748) or email at HR4U@balladhealth.org.
Thank you for all you do as a team member of Ballad Health!
Debbie Dover, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Senior Vice President, Talent Engagement and Chief Human Resources Officer
