Core benefits
If you are a full-time or part-time employee budgeted to work 22.5 hours or more a week, you may participate in the healthcare plans. Coverage begins on the first day of the month following your start date.
You can also extend coverage to your family, generally defined as your spouse or domestic partner and your children. Eligible children are covered to the end of the month in which they turn 26.
You and the Hospital share the cost of the medical and dental coverage you elect. Your bi-weekly contributions are deducted from your paycheck on a before-tax basis.
Employees in Local 1199 are covered under a collective bargaining agreement and should refer to their respective contract for healthcare coverage information.
There are two choices for medical coverage: the Empire EPO plan and Empire PPO plan.
Empire EPO Plan
This is the most cost-effective option. When you use Tier I (White Plains Hospital and their physicians who participate with Empire/Montefiore Health System facilities and their employed physicians), you will have the lowest out-of-pocket costs. You may also utilize Tier II providers; however, office co-pays will be higher and hospital/facility based services will be subject to a deductible and co-insurance (and co-pay, in some cases). There is no out-of-network coverage (except for emergent care).
Empire PPO Plan
This option provides the same benefit as the EPO for Tiers I & II; however, the deductible and co-insurance for hospital and facility based services is less. Tier III provides coverage for eligible services from an out-of-network (nonEmpire) provider or facility. These services are subject to a higher deductible and co-insurance and may be subject to balance billing that may require the member to pay the difference between what the provider bills and what the plan pays.
Your dental benefits for 2020 include the following changes and enhancements: White Plains Hospital will be offering on-site dental clinics in 2020 through Virtudent! In less than an hour, right here at the Hospital, a trained dental professional will provide a complete oral health exam and cleaning, including x-rays and intra-oral photographs. Within a week of your visit you’ll receive your dental records, including your complete oral health status and dentist recommendations. If additional care is need, the records of your visit will be shared with your local dentist or, if you don’t have one, they will help you find one. Please look for additional announcements and details on this great opportunity.
Premier Plan Enhancement for TMJ
Our Premier plan includes coverage for TMJ; we are expanding that to include coverage for the Occlusal Guards. The guards will be covered only as necessary to treat TMJ, and be subject to the same coinsurance and calendar year maximum as all other TMJ expenses. You should work with your dentist and CIGNA to confirm coverage for your specific needs. Our dental partner will change from Delta Dental to CIGNA dental. CIGNA’s dental network is as broad as the Delta network, but it offers more favorable negotiated rates on many services. This means you may spend less for services than before. If you elect dental coverage, you will receive dental ID cards from CIGNA before Jan. 1. Please make certain to notify your dentist of the change to CIGNA on your first dental visit on or after Jan. 1, 2020. Generally, our dental plans will remain the same. In-network benefits are outlined below. Coverage levels are the same for out of network however, your cost will be higher for out of network claims, as you will be responsible for all costs above reasonable and customary payment limits.
In-network benefits are outlined below. Coverage levels are the same for out of network however, your cost will be higher for out of network claims, as you will be responsible for all costs above reasonable and customary payment limits.
| Core plan, you pay: | Premier plan, you pay: | |
| Deductible | $25/$50 | $25/$50 |
| Class I: Preventive/diagnostic | $0, deductible waived | $0, deductible waived |
| Class II: Basic/restorative | 20%, after deductible | 15%, after deductible |
| Class III: Major/restorative | 50%, after deductible | 50%, after deductible |
| Orthodontia | 50%, no deductible $1,500 plan payment lifetime max |
50%, no deductible $2,000 plan payment lifetime max |
| TMJ | Not covered | 50%, after deductible |
| Calendar year maximum plan payment | $1,500 | $2,000 |
Your prescription benefits for 2020 include the following changes and enhancements.
- We are implementing a new value-based plan. Your plan will now offer reduced copays for specific generic preventive medications prescribed to treat Asthma, Diabetes, Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia. The chart below provides details on the new program.
- There are standard formulary changes. As is the normal course of pharmacy program management, you will find that there are changes to the prescription drug formulary as we focus more on the clinical value of the medications. If your medication is impacted by any changes, you will receive a notification from our pharmacy benefit manager, RX Benefits, with information on alternatives for care.
- A new diabetic management program will be rolled out in 2020. The current White Plains Diabetic Management program will be replaced by Living Connected, a new diabetes management program. Living Connected allows both you AND your impacted family members to participate in a comprehensive diabetes management program which offers free diabetic supplies, such as monitors and test strips, to participating and engaged members; members that continue to test regularly and transmit those results to the Living Connected Team. All eligible members will receive a letter with information about the program. The letter will provide complete details on how to participate and offer 10 days to opt out. If you do not opt out, you will automatically receive a welcome kit and an invitation to speak with your personal Living Connected Care Coordinator.
Your 2020 pharmacy benefits are as follows:
| Medication category | Retail 30-day supply | Mail order 90-day supply |
| Generic | $15 | $30 |
| Preventive generic* | $5 | $10 |
| Brand/formulary | $30 | $60 |
| Brand/non-formulary | $60 | $120 |
| Prescription drug maximum out of pocket | $2,500 Single/$5,000 Family | |
*Applies to listed medications prescribed to treat Asthma, Diabetes, Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia only
Who is eligible for financial security benefits?
All full-time, part-time and per-diem employees are eligible to participate in White Plains Hospital’s financial security programs as of your date of hire. Eligibility for the Hospital contribution under the White Plains Hospital 403(b) Defined Contribution Program is upon completion of one year of service.
Per-diem employees and employees in the Local 1199 collective bargaining unit are not eligible for the Hospital contribution.
White Plains Hospital 403(b) Defined Contribution Program
The Program gives you the opportunity to accumulate retirement savings through two sources: a fixed, Bi-Weekly Hospital contribution and your voluntary pre-tax contributions. New employees are automatically enrolled for voluntary contributions starting at 3%. The contribution will increase by 1% each year, until you reach 10%. Employees may opt out if they wish. The Hospital contribution is a fixed percentage of your annual base salary, based on your years of service: 4% for the first four years, 5% for years 5-9 and 6% for years 10 and above. You do not have to enroll or contribute your own money to the Plan in order to receive the annual Hospital contribution. Your voluntary tax-deferred contribution allows you to add to your retirement savings. You may elect to contribute through payroll deduction on a tax-deferred basis, up to the annual IRS limit. Your voluntary contributions and any associated investment gains are tax-deferred until you take money from your account. You decide how to invest both the Hospital and your own contributions. The Plan offers a choice of mutual funds as well as the option to open a self-directed account. You are immediately vested in your own contributions and earnings (including rollovers and/or transfers from other qualified plans). You become vested in the Hospital contributions and any associated investment earnings after completing three years of vesting service (1,000 hours of pensionable hours per year). Under certain circumstance, you may withdraw or borrow against your voluntary contributions.
There are no changes to your benefits in 2020. The plan pays both in and out of network benefits, including routine vision care, eye glasses, contact lenses and corrective surgery. You are responsible for the full cost of this plan, per pay period. Your 2020 cost for this plan will be the same as 2019. Please take the time to review the benefit summary and learn more about your vision plan.
Income benefits
The STD plans provide continued income when you are unable to work for 8 calendar days or more because of a non-work related illness or injury.
Basic STD pays a benefit of 50% of your weekly pay to a maximum of $170 a week. Benefits are payable for up to 26 weeks.
Supplemental STD when combined with your basic STD benefit, pays up to 70% of your pre-disability income, for up to 26 weeks, depending on your occupation. You pay the full cost of this coverage through after-tax payroll deductions.
Full-time employees are provided, at no cost, basic Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits for extended, approved disabilities. Approved LTD benefits pay taxable income equal to 60% of your monthly salary, to a maximum of $10,000 per month. These benefits are effective on the first day of the month after you complete six months of active, full-time enrollment.
Important Note: As of Jan. 1, 2020, these benefits will be offered through CIGNA Life Insurance Company.
- Group long-term disability insurance program. The life and accidental insurance plans provide financial protection for your designated beneficiary(ies) if you die while actively employed. Benefits are also payable to you if you are severely injured as a result of an accident.
- Basic life insurance provides a benefit of one to one-half your basic annual earnings to a maximum of $300,000. White Plains Hospital pays the full cost of this coverage.
- Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance provides an additional benefit equal to your basic life insurance benefit if you die as a result of an accident. Partial benefits are also payable to you if you lose an arm, leg, hand, sight or hearing as a result of an accident. White Plains Hospital pays the full cost of this coverage.
- Supplemental life insurance provides higher levels of life insurance for you and your spouse and eligible children. You pay the full cost of the coverage through automatic after-tax payroll deductions, based on your age and the coverage you elect. You may be required to submit a statement of health for each person you choose to cover and the insurance company must approve the statement before coverage becomes effective.
Full-time employees are provided, at no cost, basic life and AD & D insurance coverage at one and one-half times your annual salary, to a maximum of $300,000. These benefits are effective on the first day of the month after you complete six months of active, full-time enrollment.
Important notes:
- As of Jan. 1, 2020, these benefits will be offered through CIGNA Life Insurance Company.
- It is imperative that your beneficiary information is up-to-date on the BenefitsEnroll website in order to ensure your record is accurate as we move to CIGNA.
Voluntary benefits
Health and Dependent Care FSAs offer an easy way to save money through pre-set, pre-tax contributions!
- Health Care FSA. Set aside pre-tax funds through payroll to be put into an account you can use to reimburse yourself for qualified medical expenses, such as deductibles, copays, vision or dental expenses. The annual minimum you can contribute is $200; the maximum is $2,700 for 2020.
- Dependent Care FSA. Set aside pre-tax funds to reimburse yourself for expenses related to care for your dependents (up to age 13) while you are at work. In some cases, adult care can also qualify for reimbursement. The annual minimum you can contribute is $200; the maximum is $5,000 for 2020.
Important notes:
- You must make an annual election each year. Your 2019 election will not automatically roll forward into 2020.
- All FSAs are subject to the "use it or lose it" rule. You must use all funds you set aside on a pre-tax basis must be used to reimburse yourself for expenses incurred in the same calendar year, so plan carefully
Forms and documents:
This is a pre-tax account specifically used for expenses incurred commuting to and from work, under IRS Code Section 132(f). You may make a pre-tax election up to $265* per month eligible mass transit expenses in 2020. If you would like to enroll, please contact the Benefits Department at employeebenefits@wphospital.org.
For more information, please click on the links below:
Travelers offers ease and convenience to White Plains Hospital employees, along with discounted rates on coverage. Licensed insurance representatives can review your insurance needs with you, explain coverage options, and help you find the discounts, including multi-policy and safe driver discounts.
All employees are eligible for membership as US Alliance Federal Credit Union. Credit unions typically charge lower fees compared to banks and focus on helping members save, borrow and receive affordable financial services. Local brances are available as well as regular on-site support.
LegalShield provides access to quality legal services through a carefully selected and monitored network of law firm providers. A separate benefit, the LegalShield Identify Theft Plan provides coverate to prevent theft and resolve issues related to identity theft.
New York State (NYS) offers a tax-favored flexible program that allows you to save for college expenses for your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, friend, or even yourself. If you are a NYS taxpayer, you can deduct your contribution from your NYS taxable income.