Benefit Open Enrollment Begins Nov. 2; Here's Your Guide to Changes

NHRMC is pleased to announce our annual Benefit Open Enrollment will be held from Nov. 2 through Nov. 10. Our 2021 Benefit Open Enrollment is “active,” which means all benefit-eligible employees must select benefits for themselves and their eligible dependents to be effective Jan. 1, 2021. Remember, you will be accessing Benefit Open Enrollment through Global HR. You will have several opportunities for help from the HR Benefits Team if needed!

How to Enroll

Visit Open Enrollment 2021 at NHRMC.org/Benefits for details on how to sign up.

Pro tip: Use Internet Explorer as your browser when you go to Global HR.

Your Benefits 2021

NHRMC CEO John Gizdic has shared NHRMC’s commitment to keeping Employee contribution rates (payroll deductions) flat for the coming benefit year – even though many other employers are increasing healthcare costs because of the financial impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. Employees should be happy to learn that we also are not increasing contribution rates for dental, vision, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account administration, Long Term Disability 60-day option and life insurance -- including supplemental, spousal and family life insurance!

Keeping our employees healthy is the driving force behind some of the changes you’ll see in your 2021 benefits. We have learned that having a primary care provider and using Physician Group doctors helps with improved care coordination, quality and costs. Here are some changes that you need to be aware of as you make your benefit choices and seek services as of Jan. 1, 2021:

Medical

• Co-pays for Primary Care Provider (PCP) office visits will decrease from $25 to $15 for all NHRMC PG PCP’s - all medical plans.
• Co-pays for Specialist office visits will increase from $40 to $55 for all non-NHRMC PG specialists.
• Medical plan participants will be required to have a Primary Care Physician (PCP). Employee members will designate their PCP using the HRA questionnaire. 
• Annual Deductible and Out-of-Pocket maximums will increase for non-NHRMC services for all medical plans, as well as Out-of-Network services within the Standard plan. See the schedule of benefits posted on CapsLive for details.
• The Healthy Lifestyles Plan, the medical plan that helps employees and dependents manage diabetes and hypertension, will not be auto assigned to members based on HRA results. Instead, it will be an enrollment option during Open Enrollment.
• The Healthy Lifestyles Plan will require a greater level of commitment to receive the benefits of managed care and $0 co-pays for disease-related prescriptions and office visits. More information will be sent directly to current plan participants, as well as new enrollees, and be available on the benefits webpage.

Vision

• Employee contribution rates (payroll deductions) will decrease by 5%. Enhancements include: (1) for children under the age of 13, a second eye exam and new glasses if the prescription changes by .5 diopter or greater within the year and (2) Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetics may have a medical eye exam at $0 co-pay.

Health Risk Assessment

Out of an abundance of caution, the HRA will not include the Employee Health portion - just the HRA questionnaire this year. We have re-tooled this year’s HRA to ask very intentional questions that will help us better access the health of our employees and identify where we may provide education and case management for improved wellness.

• Access your HRA questionnaire in My Chart at any time from Nov. 1, 2020 to Jan. 31, 2021.
• Again, you must provide the name and practice of your dedicated Primary Care Physician (PCP) and have had a visit to the designated PCP anytime from Apr 1, 2019 to Feb 28, 2021 to complete the HRA questionnaire.

Our 2020 Employee Engagement survey scored “satisfaction with benefits” in the Top 5 strengths for the organization, so employees understand their impact and value. Still, CNN reports that employees generally allot less than a half-hour to the task of making benefit choices during open enrollment – without weighing the changes in their benefits or their lives. We encourage you to take time to make informed, current decisions.

Benefits Webinars

For more information about plan changes, your responsibilities and opportunities, attend a webinar or visit the benefits webpage at www.NHRMC.org/Benefits.

Please feel free to contact the HR Benefits Team at 667-6000 should you have questions or concerns about this process or your 2021 benefit elections.