| Employee Benefits Summary
 This summary is designed to present a brief, informative description of the benefit programs available to employees of Kaleida Health.
Union employees are eligible for the benefits described in this guide only if these benefits are specified in their Collective Bargaining Agreement. Union employees should consult their respective Collective Bargaining Agreement for details of specific program coverage and eligibility.
In the event there is a discrepancy between this summary and Plan Documents, insurance policies, or Kaleida policy, the Plan Documents, insurance policies, and Kaleida policy will apply.
Updated: July 2007
Employee Classification
 Union / Non-Union
There are a total of 30 different Collective Bargaining Units in Kaleida. Your position and site location will in general determine whether you are union or non-union. Employees represented by a union should consult their Collective Bargaining Agreement for details on wages and benefits. Full Time / Part Time / Per Diem
All Kaleida employees will be classified according to the following definitions
(Definitions may vary for union employees):
Full Time:
Employees regularly scheduled to work 67.5 hours or more per 2-week period.
Part Time:
Employees regularly scheduled to work 37.5 hours or more per 2-week pay period. (36 hours for 12-hour shift employees)
Per Diem:
Employees who work fewer than 37.5 hours per 2-week pay period on a regular basis.
Please refer to your Collective Bargaining Agreement for details.
Medical/Prescription Insurance
 Kaleida Health offers a variety of medical plan choices through the local HMOs – Independent Health, Community Blue, and Univera. Full & Part-time employee contributions are deducted pre-tax.
All plans cover routine and emergency medical treatments and services, including visits to doctors’ offices, x-rays, lab tests, inpatient and outpatient surgery, hospitalization, treatment for mental health conditions, substance abuse, and vision care.
Eligibility and Dependents
Employees are eligible to participate in a medical plan if they are either a full-time, part-time, or per diem employee. Independent contractor, a leased employee, or any other person not employed by Kaleida Health who is not on Kaleida Health’s payroll are not eligible to participate.
Under a medical plan, employees may enroll themselves and any eligible dependents for coverage – in either an Employee Only or Family policy. Eligible dependents include:
- Legally married spouse.
- Unmarried children up to age 19 or to age 23 if a full-time student. Certain Non-union medical plans cover children to age 26. Refer to the benefit summaries for more information regarding dependent age limits and full-time student verification.
- Unmarried children who are physically or mentally disabled & dependent on you for support.
Full-time and part-time non-union and Master Bargaining union employees, if elected, coverage begins on the first of the month following 60 days of service.
For full-time and part-time employees belonging to the VNA CWA RN group, if elected, coverage begins on the first of the month following 90 days of service.
For full-time and part-time employees belonging to the IUOE Buffalo General Hospital Operating Engineers group, if elected, coverage begins on the first of the month following 30 days of service.
Cost *
Cost sharing formula may be different for non-union employees and depending on bargaining unit. Full & Part-time employee contributions are deducted pre-tax. Per Diem employees pay full cost of coverage with after-tax contributions.
Opt-Out Credits
Full-time and Part-time employees may choose to waive medical coverage through Kaleida Health and enroll in the “opt-out” credit, which is added to their pay.
For the 2007 Plan Year, opt-out credits are as follows:
Non-union, Security, and Master Bargaining Full- and Part-time Employees receive $120 per month
- Employees paid bi-weekly receive $60 per pay period (24 times per year)
- Employees paid weekly receive $27.69 per pay period (52 times per year)
VNA CWA RN & Clerical
- Full-time employees receive $40 per pay period (24 times per year)
- Part-time employees receive $20 per pay period (24 times per year)
Eligibility
Full-time a
nd part-time non-union and Master Bargaining union employees, if elected, coverage begins on the first of the month following 60 days of service.
For full-time and part-time employees belonging to the VNA CWA RN group, if elected, coverage begins on the first of the month following 90 days of service.
Cost *
100% paid by Kaleida.
Flexible Spending Accounts
 Employees can contribute pre-tax dollars up to $2,000 per year to a health care FSA, and up to $5,000 per year to a dependent care FSA. (If married filing a single tax return, the maximum annual contribution to the dependent care FSA is $2,500.)
Eligibility
Full-time and part-time non-union and union employees. If elected, coverage begins on the first of the month following 60 days of service.
Cost *
Employees contribute the amount they select up to the limits.
Dental Plan
 Comprehensive dental care plans are available that provide coverage for preventive, restorative, prosthodontic and orthodontic services. Plan options and coverages vary depending on non-union and union affiliation.
Eligibility
Full-time and part-time non-union and Master Bargaining union employees. If elected, coverage begins on the first of the month following 60 days of service.
For full-time and part-time employees belonging to the VNA CWA RN group, if elected, coverage begins on the first of the month following 90 days of service.
For full-time and part-time employees belonging to the IUOE Buffalo General Hospital Operating Engineers group, if elected, coverage begins on the first of the month following 30 days of service.
Cost *
Full cost paid by employee with pre-tax contributions. (Cost shared by Kaleida and employees for certain bargaining units.)
Basic Life Insurance
Kaleida-paid coverage equal to one times base annual pay (rounded to next higher $1,000 if not already a multiple of $1,000).
Eligibility
Full-time and part-time non-union and union employees. For non-union employees coverage begins on the first of the month following 60 days of service. For union employees, coverage begins on the first of the month following one year of service.
Cost
No cost to employees.
Supplemental Insurance
 Employees may purchase additional life insurance coverage equal to between one and three times pay in one times pay increments. Maximum coverage is $250,000.
Eligibility
Full-time and part-time non-union and union employees. For non-union employees, if elected, coverage begins on the first of the month following 60 days of service. For union employees, coverage may be elected at the first open enrollment or first qualifying event after one year of service.
Cost *
Employees pay the full cost, based on age, salary, and coverage selected. After-tax employee contributions. Lower premiums for non-smokers.
Dependent Insurance
Employees can elect life insurance coverage for spouses and/or children. Up to $30,000 for spouses in increments of $10,000. Choice of $2,000 or $4,000 for children.
Eligibility
Full-time and part-time non-union and union employees. For non-union employees, if elected, coverage begins on the first of the month following 60 days of service. For union employees, coverage may be elected at the first open enrollment or first qualifying event after one year of service.
Cost *
Spouse Life. Employees pay the full cost with after-tax contributions. Rate is based on spouse’s age and amount of coverage elected. Lower premiums on spouse coverage for non-smokers.
Child Life. Employees pay the full cost with after-tax contributions. Rate is base on amount of coverage elected.
Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
Kaleida-paid coverage equal to one times base annual pay (rounded to next higher $1,000 if not already a multiple of $1,000).
Eligibility
Full-time and part-time union employees. Coverage begins on the first of the month following one year of service.
Cost
No cost to employees.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
 Employees may elect coverage for themselves and dependents. Coverage in one times pay increments, up to five times pay for employees (maximum coverage is $500,000). For family coverage, dependents are covered for a percentage of the employee’s coverage amount.
Eligibility
Full-time and part-time non-union and union employees. For non-union employees, if elected, coverage begins on the first of the month following 60 days of service. For union employees, coverage may be elected at the first open enrollment or first qualifying event after one year of service.
Cost *
Employees pay the full cost, with pre-tax employee contributions.
Long Term Disability
Coverage for disabilities of longer than six months, benefits equal 60% of pay, to a maximum of $5,000 per month, beginning after six months of absence due to a covered disability.
Eligibility
Full-time and part-time non-union and union employees.
If elected, coverage begins on the first of the month following 60 days of service. Plan includes a pre-existing condition exclusion.
Cost *
Employees pay full cost, based on age and salary, with after-tax contributions.
Pension Growth Plan
 Employees accrue pay credits based on a percentage of salary, up to IRS limits, for each year of service. Credits range from 3% to 5% of pay, depending on years of service. Account is credited with interest monthly.
Eligibility
Full-time and part-time non-union and certain union employees, after one year of service. 100% vested after five years of service with at least 936 hours worked per year.
Cost
No cost to employees - fully funded by Kaleida.
Union employees are covered by the pension plans identified in their respective Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Savings/Investment Plan
 Employees can make pre-tax contributions of up to 99% of eligible pay (after FICA taxes and voluntary deductions - e.g., medical, dental, and life insurance) up to the IRS limits ($13,000 for 2004). Company matches 50% of 1st 2% and 25% of next 2% of eligible pay that employees contribute. Employees direct investments to any of the diversified fixed and mutual fund options available under the Lincoln Alliance program.
Eligibility
All non-union and certain union employees are eligible to contribute immediately. Full-time and part-time employees are eligible for company match as soon as employee contributions begin. Per Diem employees will receive match at year-end if they worked at least 936 hours during the calendar year. 100% vested in company match after 3 years of service with at least 936 hours worked per year.
Cost
Employees make pre-tax contributes for the amount they select up to the legal limit. Kaleida matches a portion of the employee’s contribution.
Union employees may contribute pre-tax dollars to the Lincoln Alliance 403(b) program, but the
y are not eligible for the company match unless specified in their Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Employee Assistance Program
 Kaleida contracts with Employee Resources, Inc., an independent private corporation, to bring employees and members of the employee’s household the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP offers services to assist employees with issues that might affect health, mental well-being, and work performance such as but not limited to marital counseling, legal advice, child and eldercare information, and financial consultation. The EAP guarantees employees confidential consulting services at no charge. These services are available to employees and their immediate family members.
Paid Time Off
Employees accrue Paid Time Off (PTO) and Extended Sick Bank (ESB) hours for each regular scheduled hour paid. ESB hours may be used in the event of a covered disability. PTO hours may be used for all excused absences. Total amount of time earned is based on position and years of service.
Eligibility
Full-time and part-time non-union and certain union employees are eligible on date of hire.
Credit Union
Kaleida Health offers employees the opportunity to participate in various credit unions depending on the site at which you are located.
 Tuition Assistance
Kaleida Health offers a Tuition Assistance Plan for eligible full-time and part-time employees who have worked for Kaleida more than one year.
Union employees should consult their Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Continuing Education
A continuing education program provides Kaleida employees the opportunity to attend workshops, seminars, etc. which contribute to an employee’s career development.
Union employees should refer to their Collective Bargaining Agreement for details.
Business Travel Accident
Benefits for accidental death while traveling on authorized Kaleida business.
 Health Services Discount
Kaleida Health offers employees and their families discounts on various in-patient, out-patient and pharmacy services through the Family First Health Services Discount Program.
Personal Insurance Options
Kaleida Health makes available the following programs at group rates through payroll deduction. These programs are 100% paid for by those employees who decide to participate.
• Cancer & critical illness insurance
• Voluntary short term disability insurance
• Voluntary life insurance
• Group home/auto insurance
* Employee contributions and credits apply to 24 pay periods per year for biweekly-paid employees and 52 pay periods per year for weekly-paid employees.
Employees in the IUOE Buffalo General Hospital Operating Engineers are eligible for medical/prescription, dental, and basic life insurance only. |
© 2008 Kaleida Health. All rights reserved. For site concerns, contact the Web Team.