Employees September 18, 2008
Hospital announces compensation and benefits for 2009
Yale-New Haven Hospital has announced its 2009 compensation and benefits program for employees, who have received a letter and personalized fact sheet from their managers.
“During a year in which others are struggling with a faltering economy, Yale-New Haven continues to be a stable and secure employer,” said Michael Dimenstein, director, Compensation and Benefits. “Our employees have contributed to this success and the hospital is committed to sharing its success with employees in the form of compensation and benefits.”
Dimenstein also pointed out that for the second consecutive year, Yale-New Haven Hospital has been named to the prestigious honor roll among American hospitals by U.S. News & World Reports and attributes the hospital’s national reputation for delivering safe, high-quality patient care to the dedication and hard work of employees.
“Our comprehensive compensation and benefits program reflects the high quality of the employees who work here,” said Dimenstein. “Our 2009 program also reflects what employees say is important to them and their families.”
SALARY
Individual performance merit increase program
Yale-New Haven continuously surveys the market so that it is competitive with what other Connecticut employers are paying employees. For FY09, YNHH employees may earn up to 6 percent of their salary in recognition of performance. Personalized fact sheets will show salary rates and individual merit increase opportunity. Employees whose increase, or a portion of it, could exceed their salary range maximum may receive a lump sum payment.
Performance Incentive Plan (PIP) award
Yale-New Haven continues to distinguish itself among American hospitals with its PIP award which shares financial success with the employees who contribute to achieving hospital-wide goals. For FY09, employees will again have a maximum earning opportunity of 3 percent.
For FY09, PIP is adding a new environment of care metric, reflecting the responsibility each employee has for the hospital’s cleanliness and condition. In addition, all areas will have departmental PIP goals. These goals will reinforce the link between work area performance and successful organizational outcomes. Since 1999 when PIP was introduced, employees have earned in excess of $42 million for achieving patient satisfaction, productivity and financial goals.
Special Achievement Awards
The Special Achievement Award of Excellence, which provides an opportunity for employees to receive up to an additional 2 percent of annual earnings, will continue in FY09. In FY 08, managers have nominated more than 500 employees who have received more than $600,000 so far this year.
Shift and weekend premiums
Effective September 28, 2008, evening, night and weekend premiums for eligible positions will increase. Specific off-shift premium amounts are included in each employee’s FY09 personal compensation fact sheet.
BENEFITS
Health plans
At a time when employers are cutting back on the health benefits they offer employees, YNHH continues to offer a comprehensive program of options for employees. Open enrollment for 2009 will take place in late October and early November. At that time, employees will receive material summarizing covered benefits, out-of-pocket costs and premiums for the Advantage and Advantage Plus medical plans. In 2009, YNHH will continue to absorb a substantial portion of the medical and prescription drug benefit plan costs, which this year increased 9 percent.
Medical premium waiver program
For the third year, YNHH will offer the medical premium waiver program. Full-time employees earning less than $32,000 – up from $30,000 in FY08 – will be eligible to elect the Advantage Plan at no cost to themselves or their covered dependents. Full-time employees earning less than $57,000 per year – up from $50,000 in FY08 – and part-time eligible employees earning less than $27.40 per hour may participate in the Advantage Plan at no cost for themselves, and with reduced dependent and family premiums.
Medical and prescription drug benefits enhancements
Effective January 1, 2009:
The lifetime infertility benefit maximum increases from $4,000 to $6,000.
The hospital has reduced the minimum co-pay for generic drugs from $8 to $4 at retail pharmacies; the maximum for a generic prescription is $23.
Medical Center Pharmacy will continue to offer selected generic and brand prescription medications at a discount for either a 30- or 90- day supply.
Health and wellness services
In an effort to help employees and their families be as healthy as they can be, YNHH offers a wide variety of informational and counseling services. Included are Weight Watchers at Work sessions offered throughout the year, as well as three free nutrition counseling sessions per year.
YNHH is going tobacco-free on January 1, 2009, so the hospital’s tobacco cessation offerings are of even greater interest to employees, who may call Occupational Health Services at 688-2462 for help with quitting.
Later this fall, employees enrolled in the Advantage or Advantage Plus medical plans will be able to complete the Anthem Health Assessment to obtain a confidential summary of personal health risks and receive recommendations to improve their health.
Tuition assistance
To maintain its standing as an employer of choice, YNHH encourages it employees to pursue advancement opportunities through education and professional development.
In direct response to feedback from the record 82 percent of employees who responded to the Employee Opinion Survey, effective January 1, 2009, full-time employees will enjoy 100 percent reimbursement of up to $4,000 per year. Part-time employees will receive 100 percent of covered expenses up to an annual maximum of $3,000. The enhancements represent an increase, as well as a simplified reimbursement process.
Adoption assistance
In 2009, the hospital will increase its benefit from $4,000 to $6,000 for expenses associated with adopting a child.
H.O.M.E. buyer program opens to part-time employees
Since it was introduced in July 2006, more than 30 full-time employees have taken advantage of the down payment assistance, mortgage payment subsidy and home buyer education available through the hospital’s popular Home Ownership Made Easier (H.O.M.E.) Program. In response to the Employee Opinion Survey, part-time employees who have completed five consecutive years of YNHH service are now eligible for the program which helps first-time homebuyers purchase a home in New Haven.
Voluntary benefits for long-term care, pet insurance offered
A few years ago, YNHH offered employees the opportunity to purchase personal homeowners and automobile insurance at competitive prices through payroll deduction. In 2009, the program is being expanded and employees may also choose to purchase long-term care insurance and pet health insurance.
“As Americans, we are well aware of the economic pressures we are experiencing locally and nationally,” said Dimenstein, “so the hospital is especially pleased to be able to continue to offer employees a comprehensive and competitive salary and benefits program.
“We believe our inclusive work environment and benefits enhance our reputation as a healthcare provider of choice and an employer of choice,” added Dimenstein. “We expect that we will continue to attract to Yale-New Haven some of the finest healthcare workers in Connecticut and beyond.”
Article originally appeared in the September 18, 2008 issue of the Bulletin employee newsletter (page 1 and 4)
http://www.ynhh.org/bulletin_archive/2008/091808_bulletin.pdf
