Benefits Overview

The benefits for 2016/2017 will be an 18 month Plan Year. Benefits will run from July 1, 2016 through December 31, 2017. All deductibles will be in effect for the full 18 months, with the exception of the Flexible Spending Accounts.

Feel free to also use our convenient Medical Plan Cost Estimator by clicking the button below. For many people, cost is one of the key factors in choosing a medical plan. The Medical Plan Cost Estimator is a specially designed interactive tool created to help you estimate the cost of what you are likely to pay for the services and supplies you need during the year as well as the amount that comes out of your paycheck when you enroll in an EHS medical plan.

Click here to access the 2016 “Annual Required Notices” packet, which includes the Medicare Part D Credible Coverage letter for the current plan year.

Medical Plan Cost Estimator Financial Planning Calendar

Family Benefits

Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment kicks off the beginning of a new Plan Year. This year’s Open Enrollment will begin on May 10, 2016 and run through May 27, 2016. The benefits you choose during Open Enrollment will be effective July 1, 2016 through December 31, 2017. The upcoming Plan Year will be 18 months long in order to align our benefits with the calendar year (currently we are on a fiscal year).

We will have a special Open Enrollment in October of 2016 for the Flexible Spending Accounts. Please see the Flexible Spending Account page for additional details.

Outside of the Open Enrollment period you will not be able to make changes to your benefits unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event (please see Qualifying Life Event page). If you need any assistance enrolling in your benefits, please attend one of our employee help session or contact the Human Resources Department.

 

Effective Dates of Coverage:

All Employees are eligible for enrollment the first day of the month following the first day of employment. If you do not actively enroll and take no action, you will default to “no coverage” for medical, dental, vision, supplemental life insurance, spouse and dependent life insurance, and FSA plans. You will automatically be enrolled in the company-paid life and disability benefit plans. You must then wait until you either have a “Qualifying Life Event” or until the next Open Enrollment period to enroll.

Benefits Eligibility:

Eligibility to participate in the EHS benefit plan is based upon the number of hours you are regularly scheduled to work.

  • Full-Time Employees are employees coded in positions scheduled to work 30 to 40 hours per week. If you are a full-time employee, you are eligible to participate in all EHS group benefits and pay the employee contribution amount for the benefits you elect.
  • Part-Time Employees are eligible in coded positions scheduled to work 24 to 29 hours per week. If you are a part-time employee, you are eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, certain spouse and dependent life insurance plans, and FSA plans. You pay 50% of the cost of health insurance, and the full cost of all other plans.

If you are in a position coded to work under 24 hours per week or are in a Per Diem status, you are not eligible to participate in EHS benefit plans.

Dependent Eligibility:

EHS benefit plans offer coverage for eligible dependents. Eligible dependents include you legal spouse and your dependent children – this includes biological children, adopted children, and step-children. All dependent children are eligible to remain on the medical plan until they turn 26 years old. Dependent children are eligible to remain on the dental and vision plans until they turn 19 years old or age 25 if they are a full-time student.

Effective Dates of Coverage:

All Employees are eligible for enrollment the first day of the month following the first day of employment. If you do not actively enroll and take no action, you will default to “no coverage” for medical, dental, vision, supplemental life insurance, spouse and dependent life insurance, and FSA plans. You will automatically be enrolled in the company-paid life and disability benefit plans. You must then wait until you either have a “Qualifying Life Event” or until the next Open Enrollment period to enroll.

Making Qualified Status Changes During the Year:

The choices you make during Open Enrollment will remain in effect for the entire Plan Year. However, you may change certain benefit elections during the year if you experience a “qualifying work/family status change,” as long as you do so within 31 days of the qualifying event. Some examples of qualifying life events include, but are not limited to:

  • Marriage, divorce, or legal separation
  • Birth or adoption of a child
  • Death of your spouse or child
  • Your child no longer qualifying as an eligible dependent
  • A change in your spouse’s employment
  • A change in your own employment status
  • Medicare eligibility