Message from Debbie Dover: Open enrollment is here through May 31!

Benefits & HR

Dear Ballad Health team member,

It’s that time of year – open enrollment for Ballad Health benefits will run from Monday, May 16, to Tuesday, May 31.

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.

If you don’t make any changes, and because open enrollment is not required this year, 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. Also, if you/and or your covered spouse have had a change in your nicotine status since last year, you will need to go online and complete a new attestation form, even if you don’t need to make any other benefit changes.

Details about the FY23 benefits package

Medical – Ballad Health will continue to offer two high-deductible health plans (Choice and Bronze) and a PPO plan through BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. There are no benefit plan changes.

There will be no increase in the biweekly premium you pay for medical coverage. As health costs trend upward, Ballad Health will absorb the additional cost for the coming year, and team members will maintain their same biweekly rates for coverage.

  • Tobacco users will still pay a higher premium than those who don’t use tobacco. If you and/or your covered spouse are a tobacco user, you will still pay a higher premium than those who don’t use tobacco. Tobacco cessation courses will be offered to you and/or your spouse to qualify for the lower premium. More information will be shared on next steps after the open enrollment period ends. 
  • If you and/or your covered spouse completed the tobacco cessation course last year (FY22), you will not be required to complete the course again for FY23. You will continue to pay the lower premium for coverage.
  • If you/and or your covered spouse have had a change in your nicotine status since last year, you will need to go online and complete a new attestation form, even if you don’t need to make any other benefit changes.

Health savings account (HSA) – For eligible team members enrolled in the Choice plan, Ballad Health will continue to make a $500 contribution for team member-only coverage and a $1,000 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.

There is no need to make a change, as the current amount selected will continue, but it’s always a good idea to check your contribution to make sure you are maximizing this pre-tax benefit. New limits are established each January.

  • Individual – $3,650
  • Family – $7,300
  • Catch-up (age 55 or older) – $1,000

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.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – All benefit-eligible team members and covered dependents on the medical plan are eligible for 10 EAP visits each plan year at no cost. Additional visits are available and will be filed with your medical plan coverage, subject to plan benefits, which may include deductible and coinsurance amounts.

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. If you are currently participating in the program, additional information will be sent to you regarding the program requirements.

Pharmacy – No change. Please review the updated drug listings online at optumrx.com for July 1.

Dental – Plan benefits remain the same. There will be a slight premium increase of 3%.

Vision – No change in plan benefits or premium.

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 protection insurance.

Team members will also be able to enroll in 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.

Whole life insurance – (only available annually during open enrollment) The Whole Life with Long Term Care benefit offers life insurance that stays in force after employment with a premium that locks in at enrollment age and does not go up in the cost. It also offers a new affordable solution to long-term care planning. To enroll, call the VB Call Center at 800-684-2318 during the hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

AirMedCare Membership – Team members will again 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 7544AMCN. Payroll deduction is available over one pay period for an annual or multi-year membership plan.

Resources and information

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  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