On this page:
- Top 10 Questions I Wish I'd Asked BEFORE Choosing My Benefits
- Frequently Asked Questions/Scenarios about Your Benefits
- FAQs print version
Top Questions I Wish I'd Asked BEFORE Choosing My Benefits
What is an HSA, and why would I want one?
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is used for healthcare expenses with pre-tax dollars from an employee’s pay. It is only available to individuals who participate in the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and who are not on Medicare. The benefit of participating in the High Deductible Health Plan is the lower premium for a higher deductible. Opening an HSA allows you to use money to pay for healthcare expenses without paying taxes on the money. The HSA also allows for investment opportunities.
What is a Medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA), and why would I want one?
A Medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a pre-tax benefit that works with all health plans to help cover healthcare expenses for the calendar year. A Medical Flexible Spending Account is designed to reimburse you for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses incurred by you or your eligible dependents. The annual election amount is immediately available even though payroll deduction has not occurred. This is available if you no coverage or if you have coverage through a parent, partner or spouse.
What is a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), and why would I want one?
A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a pre-tax benefit that works to help cover dependent day care expenses for the calendar year. Dependent Care FSA expenses may include: preschool, daycare, summer camp, a babysitter or nanny (paid non-family member with a tax ID number) while you are working for children under age 13 or other dependents who are physically or mentally unable to care for themselves. A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account is designed to reimburse you for out-of-pocket dependent care expenses incurred by your eligible dependents. The annual election amount is not immediately available. You are only able to access the amount that you have contributed.
How can I participate in Devereux’s Health and Wellness Program and what are the benefits?
As a new hire, you can check the box on the confirmation statement or the benefits authorization form to receive a 10% discount on PPO/EPO premiums or receive contributions to your Health Savings Account (HSA) from Devereux if enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). To get started, register at HealthAdvocate.com/Devereux or on the Health Advocate app. As a current employee enrolled in one of Devereux’s Blue Cross Blue Shield medical plans, you can register or sign in at HealthAdvocate.com/Devereux or on the Health Advocate app. To participate, you will need to complete the Personal Health Profile (PHP) and Tobacco Affidavit and earn 85 points or more by August 31. Any points earned in the month of September will show in your member portal when the site relaunches each October. Click here to view a list of activities that you can do to earn points. If you have a wearable device or fitness app , you can sync it to Health Advocate to earn points for the trackers. Click here to view a list of Health and Wellness program features. Look on the Health and Well-Being page to learn more. Questions? Call Health Advocate at (866) 695-8622.
Do I have to pay for Life Insurance benefits?
No. Devereux provides two times (2x) your salary to a maximum of $200,000. If you would like additional coverage for you or your spouse, domestic partner or children, you may choose to add voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance.
Besides Life Insurance, does Devereux cover any other benefits at no cost to me?
Yes. Devereux provides the following benefits to all employees:• Carebridge Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• eM Life Mindfulness
• #DevereuxStrong Resiliency Resources
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Savi Student Loan Debt Solution Benefit
• TIAA (Retirement and Financial Advisement
• Service Awards
• Professional Liabrary
In addition, Devereux also provides the following benefits to full-time employees:• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Benefit
• Health Advocacy
• Health and Wellness Program
• Secure Travel Program
• Guidance Resources
• Financial, Legal and Estate Support Program
• Time-Off Benefits, Bereavement and Health Management Leave
What about my time off?
At Devereux, we refer to vacation, personal days and holidays as Time-Off Benefits. You can earn up to 192 hours per year in the first two years with increasing hours the longer you are employed.TOB begins accruing an employee’s first day of employment and is earned each pay period based on the number of hours worked. TOB is earned in accordance with the following accrual schedule:
Service |
Earn up to |
Accrual Rates |
Earned on 80 hours worked |
| Day 1 – 2 years | 192 hrs./year/24 days | .0923 x # of hours worked | 7.38 hrs |
| 3 years – 4 years | 200 hrs./year/25 days | .0962 x # of hours worked | 7.70 hrs |
| 5 years – 9 years | 208 hrs./year/26 days | .1000 x # of hours worked | 8.00 hrs |
| 10 years – 14 years | 248 hrs./year/31 days | .1192 x # of hours worked | 9.54 hrs |
| 15 years | 288 hrs./year/36 days | .1385 x # of hours worked | 11.08 hrs |
Note: Devereux California employees can accrue up to two times the annual amount of TOB since they don’t have a carryover deadline to use unused TOB.
Devereux also provides Health Management Leave (HML) if you are sick or attending to healthcare needs – up to 8 days per year. Each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30), full-time employees will accrue up to 4 hours per pay to a maximum of 64 hours. Of those hours, any hours remaining over 40 are doubled and carried over. Any hours remaining 39 or less will be carried over to the next fiscal year. HML can continue to build up this way to a maximum of 1,040 hours. HML time is not paid out if you leave Devereux. However, if you are rehired, you may receive some of this time back. Please see your center People Operations department for more details.
What are voluntary benefits and how can I enroll?
Voluntary benefits are after-tax benefits that are fully paid for by the employee who chooses to add them. Devereux offers many voluntary benefits. Click here to learn more. Voluntary benefits are offered to new hires, during open enrollment, and with a qualified status change.
Which of Devereux’s benefits programs allow me to keep my current family doctor and prescription program?
If your doctor participates in the Blue Cross Blue Shield national network, no change is necessary. Prescription, behavioral health and vision are all included in both medical plans.
How do I enroll in the Devereux retirement plan?
1. Submit a completed Salary Reduction Agreement to your center People Operations department.
2. Register at www.tiaa.org/Devereux or call TIAA at (800) 842-2252 and designate your beneficiaries.
• Allocate how your contributions are invested. You can also rollover money into your plan.
• Devereux provides access to free consultation with financial advisors: TIAA (800) 842-2252 and Janney Montgomery Scott (800) 567-2687 or (215) 665-6010.
• Devereux also provides access to a Retirement Advisor tool.
I don’t understand my benefit options - who can help me?
Contact your center People Operations department. You can also contact BenefitQuestions@devereux.org.
What if I have additional questions about medical benefits, claims or billing issues?
For employees enrolled in one of Devereux’s Blue Cross Blue Shield medical plans, you have access to Health Advocate services to help you, your spouse or Domestic Partner, dependent children, parents and parents-in-law, with assistance in finding doctors, services and answering general questions..
What if I have additional questions but I am not enrolled in one of the Blue Cross Blue Shield programs?
You can access support through New York Life at www.GuidanceResources.com . Healthy Advocacy support through NY Life offers trained advocates to help you navigate healthcare even if you are not enrolled in a Devereux benefit plan. Services include: claim and billing issues, appeal processes and simplifying complicated administrative services, and address questions and concerns. Use ID: NYLGBS.
Frequently Asked Questions/Scenarios about Your Benefits
Is preventive care, like immunizations covered by my insurance?
Yes. Preventive care is covered at 100 percent with no co-pay or deductible. This includes: immunizations, annual physicals and preventive screenings. To see which preventive care screenings are recommended for your age and gender, click here to access the Blue Cross Blue Shield Preventive Care Guidelines tool.
My spouse/partner just lost their job and with it, their healthcare coverage. What do I do to get them coverage and how long does it take?
This circumstance is considered a “Qualifying Family Status Change ,” (also referred to as a “Qualifying Life Event”). Contact your center People Operations department for documentation that will be required to make this change. Any change in premium due to an event will be effective the first of the month following the Qualifying Family Status Change.
Note: Unless you have a Qualifying Family Status Change, you may only make elections during Open Enrollment.
My spouse/partner and/or I am turning 65 next year. Do we stay with Devereux’s benefits or move to Medicare?
Though you are eligible to receive Medicare when you and your spouse/partner reach age 65, you are not required to enroll. You may stay on the Devereux plan of your choice. If you elect to keep your Devereux coverage and also enroll in Medicare, the Devereux plan is Primary. If you select the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and still would like to contribute pre-tax dollars to your Health Savings Account (HSA), you may not enroll in Medicare. Ultimately, enrolling in Medicare is a personal decision, so it recommended that you visit www.medicare.gov to help you decide what’s right for you. For explanations about other scenarios, such as early retirement or retiring at or after age 65, call Health Advocate at (866) 695-8622 or click here for more information.
Can I enroll in dental or medical insurance for my family if we're also covered through my spouse/partner?
Yes. Contact your center People Operations department to learn how the dual plans will provide coverage.
TOB/HML Q&A