Benefits open enrollment coming soon. Here’s what to expect

A message from Paula Pittman, vice president of Human Resources

October is upon us, and it’s time for Methodist Health System’s annual enrollment period for next year’s benefits.

Open enrollment runs from Oct. 21 to Nov. 8. Beginning Oct. 21, benefit-eligible employees can begin making their 2025 benefit selections in Workday. Nov. 8 is the last day to make benefit selections. 

The Human Resources benefits team will be sending more information to all benefit-eligible employees later today, but I’d like to share a few highlights regarding next year’s benefits package.

Benefits eligibility

Methodist has reduced minimum-hours requirements for full-time employees to provide more consistency across the health system and a seamless transition of benefits for intersystem employee transfers. These changes also help to streamline benefits administration. 

Beginning Jan. 1, the following minimum-hours requirements will apply. 

Part-time benefit requirements: 

• All employees with scheduled/budgeted hours of at least 20 hours per week will qualify for part-time status and associated health and related benefits. 

Full-time benefit requirements: 

• Shared Service Systems employees, Methodist Physicians Clinic employees and most employees working in the 825 Building will be required to work scheduled/budgeted hours of 32 hours per week to qualify for full-time status and associated health and dental benefits. 
• Methodist Hospital, Methodist Women’s Hospital, Nebraska Methodist College, Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital and Methodist Fremont Health employees will be required to work scheduled/budgeted hours of 24 hours per week to qualify for full-time status and associated health and dental benefits. 

For example: Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, Methodist Physicians Clinic (MPC) employees scheduled 32 or more hours qualify for full-time health and dental coverage. MPC employees scheduled at least 20 hours per week but less than 32 hours per week qualify for part-time health and dental coverage. 

New estate planning benefit

Human Resources and Methodist’s three foundations – Fremont Health Foundation, Jennie Edmundson Foundation and Methodist Hospital Foundation – have partnered to offer employees a new benefit through FreeWill. Among its many services, FreeWill allows you to create or update your will in 20 minutes or less, free of charge. 

Almost 70% of Americans don’t have a valid will. FreeWill is a quick and convenient way to prepare for the future and protect your loved ones. For more information or to get started, click here.

New insurance cards

New insurance cards will soon be sent to many employees. If you have medical and dental coverage or only medical coverage through our plan, you will receive a new card. If you have dental coverage only, please retain your existing card. You will not be receiving a new one.

Health savings account contribution limits

Per the IRS, the annual amount that can be contributed to a health savings account (HSA) will increase to $4,300 for employee-only plans and $8,550 for family plans. For our employees, these updated limits include Methodist’s contributions of $600 for employee-only plans and $1,200 family plans. We know a number of employees take advantage of this offering, so this is great news.

Counseling enhancement reminder

In July 2024, Talkspace moved from Tier 3 to Tier 2 in our health plan. Talkspace is a virtual counseling program utilized by Best Care EAP and a valuable resource for Methodist employees. Employees are reminded that they receive five free visits each year with Best Care EAP staff. Talkspace appointments also count toward those five visits; afterward, they are covered under Tier 2 of the Methodist health plan.

A well-rounded package

The benefits team and I, along with leaders from across the system, put considerable effort and thought into shaping our benefits options. We know this is a part of your compensation package, and that’s extremely important to us. 

Please keep an eye on your email for more detailed information about next year’s benefits offerings.

The enrollment period goes by quickly, so please be prepared to make your selections beginning Oct. 21.