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HDHP With HSA

The High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), administered by Cigna, works a little differently than the PPO. Cigna refers to the HDHP as the Choice Fund HSA HDHP OAP Plan. Dig into the details.

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How the HDHP Works

Enrolling in an HDHP for the first time?
We encourage you to understand how the HDHP with HSA works.

STEP 1:  YOUR HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (HSA) WITH OPTUM BANK IS OPENED

When you enroll in the HDHP with HSA, Parkland will add money to your HSA: $500 for employee only or $1,000 for employee and spouse, employee and children or family coverage. Parkland will make contributions to your HSA each pay period. No retroactive contributions will be made. For example, if you become eligible for the HDHP in May, Parkland will begin contributing to your HSA each pay period, starting in May, as long as you elect HDHP with HSA. You can also contribute pre-tax money of your own, up to IRS limits. Learn more about the HSA.

STEP 2: PAY TOWARD YOUR DEDUCTIBLE

You pay 100% of the full cost of care (contracted and negotiated with Cigna) for medical care and prescription drugs (except for in-network preventive care) until you meet your deductible. You can use your HSA to help you pay for care before you have to dip into your own pocket. You must have the money in your HSA to cover the expense.

STEP 3: SHARE COSTS WITH THE HDHP

Once you meet your deductible, you’ll share costs with the HDHP — using money from your HSA or your own wallet — until you meet the out-of-pocket maximum.

STEP 4: THE HDHP PAYS THE REST

If you reach your out-of-pocket maximum, the HDHP will pay 100% of your eligible expenses for the rest of the calendar year.

Understanding the Medical Tiers

Wondering what the different tiers mean and how they will work in 2026?

Tier 1

Parkland Health Network and
Children’s Medical Center

  • Get the highest level of benefits and lowest coinsurance.
  • After you meet the deductible, you’ll pay a $20 copay for PCP visits. For specialist visits, you’ll pay 10% after you meet the deductible. 
  • Tier 1 providers are doctors who provide your care at Parkland Health or Children’s Medical Center (Dallas and Plano). This includes UTSW physicians with Parkland privileges only when they treat you at a Parkland facility.
  • Tier 1 facilities include Parkland Hospital, the Employee Health Center (EHC), the Employee Women’s Wellness Center (EWWC), the COPC centers and Children’s Medical Center (Dallas and Plano).

Tier 2

Cigna Open Access Plus Network

  • Costs you pay for Tier 2 care will accumulate toward the same Tier 1 deductible
  • After you meet the deductible, you’ll pay 30% coinsurance for PCP and specialist visits.
  • Tier 2 providers/facilities include those in the Cigna Open Access Plus Network. This includes UTSW when your services are provided at UTSW facilities and not at a Parkland Health facility.
  • UTSW/Aston, Cook Children’s Medical Center, Baylor Scott & White Health, Methodist Health System and THR (Texas Health Resources) facilities are also in Tier 2.

Out of Network

No Coverage

  • Any provider/facility outside of Tiers 1 and 2 is out-of-network. The PEHP does not pay for out-of-network coverage.
  • The PEHP will cover these out-of-network services as Tier 2 benefits.
    • Emergency room visit in the event of a true emergency, including access to an out-of-network ambulance.
    • Out-of-network anesthesiologists, radiologists and pathologists if you receive an outpatient procedure at a Tier 2 facility.
    • Out-of-network professional services if you are in-patient at a Tier 2 facility.
  • You’ll pay out of pocket for out-of-network services.
  • Out-of-network costs will NOT apply to your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.

If You See a Tier 1 Provider in the HDHP

Be aware if you see a Tier 1 provider, your lab work, imaging or surgeries may be done by a Tier 2 provider or facility.

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Frequently Asked Questions

With a $0 premium for employee-only coverage, participation in the HDHP seems like a no-brainer. Are there any reasons why I should not pick the HDHP?

Yes. If you do not have the cash on hand to cover the deductible and the out-of-pocket maximum, you should think twice before electing the HDHP.

If I am not going to contribute to the HSA, do I still need to open an account with Optum when I initially enroll in the HDHP?

Yes. You must set up an HSA with Optum Bank so that Parkland can make its contribution to your account. If you don’t set up your account, you will not receive Parkland’s contribution. Once your account is set up, your contribution amount will carry over from year to year.

Have more questions?

Take a look at these additional FAQs.

Get answers

HSA Contributions at a Glance

If you enroll in the HDHP with HSA, Parkland will add money to your HSA each pay period — $19.24 for employee-only coverage and $38.47 for any level of family coverage. If you elect the HDHP but do not enroll in the HSA, you will not receive the Parkland-funded contributions. The two elections are separate in Workday. You may also contribute to your HSA.

2027 Parkland Annual HSA Contributions
Employee-only coverage$500
Any level of family coverage$1,000

Medical Benefits at a Glance (HDHP in Cigna’s Open Access Plus Network)

This chart shows what you’ll pay when you need care. If a service is not provided by a Tier 1 provider or facility, you will need to receive the service from a Tier 2 provider to receive benefits. Except for the services listed in the chart above under Out of Network, the HDHP will not pay for services from an out-of-network provider/facility. Your benefit will be paid based on the tier of the provider that you use. If you reach the out-of-pocket maximum in Tiers 1 or 2, the plan pays 100% of eligible charges for the remainder of the calendar year.

Use the search bar at the top of the chart to help you find how your service is covered.

For a full list of covered services, refer to the PEHP Plan Documents posted in the Legal Notices section.

To find a provider, contact Cigna, at myCigna.com or 800-247-4433. (Prior to enrolling, search for doctors in the Cigna Open Access Plus Network at Cigna Health Care Provider Directory.)

TIER 1:
Parkland Health Network
and Children's Medical Center		TIER 2:
Cigna Open Access
Plus Network
Calendar-Year Deductible
(Amount you must pay before the plan pays benefits, except for certain preventive care. Amounts you pay towards the deductible count toward your out-of-pocket maximum.)
Per PersonDeductible

$3,500
(applies to coinsurance only)

$3,500
(applies to coinsurance only)		$4,000
Per FamilyDeductible$7,000
(applies to coinsurance only)		$7,000
(applies to coinsurance only)		$20,000
Calendar-Year Out-of-Pocket Maximum1
(Maximum amount you will pay out of pocket for the calendar year. If you reach this limit, the plan will pay 100% of your covered expenses for the rest of the calendar year.)
Per PersonOut-of-Pocket Maximum$7,000$7,000$10,000
Per FamilyOut-of-Pocket Maximum$14,000$14,000$20,000
Lifetime Maximum
Per PersonLifetime MaximumUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
What You Pay
Preventive Care2rowlabel
Routine health assessments and immunizationsPreventive Care$0 copay3$0 copay350% after deductible
Physician Services (office or virtual visits)rowlabel
Primary carePhysician Services$20 copay after deductible30% after deductible50% after deductible
SpecialistPhysician Services10% after deductible30% after deductible50% after deductible
Convenience Care (walk-in clinics located in retail stores, supermarkets and pharmacies that treat uncomplicated minor illnesses and provide preventive health care services)rowlabel
Convenience care clinicN/A30% after deductible50% after deductible
Emergency Carerowlabel
Hospital emergency room visit 10% after deductible30% after deductible30% after Tier 2 deductible
Hospital admission from emergency room410% after deductible30% after deductible50% after deductible
Urgent care 10% after deductible30% after deductible50% after deductible
Ground ambulance services Emergency Care10% after deductible30% after deductible30% after Tier 2 deductible
Inpatient Hospitalrowlabel
Per admissionInpatient Hospital10% after deductible30% after deductible50% after deductible
Lab rowlabel
Office visitLab and X-ray$0 after deductible$0 after deductible50% after deductible
Independent lab or outpatient facility$0 after deductible$0 after deductible50% after deductible
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatmentrowlabel
Outpatient
Mental Health Substance Abuse Treatment
$0 copay after deductible30% after deductible50% after deductible
Inpatient
Mental Health Substance Abuse Treatment
10% after deductible30% after deductible50% after deductible
Maternity Carerowlabelpregnancy
Initial visit to confirm pregnancymaternity care$20 copay after deductible30% after deductible50% after deductible
Subsequent physician services including deliverymaternity carepregnancy10% after deductible30% after deductible50% after deductible
Hospitalization (per admission)maternity carepregnancy10% after deductible30% after deductible50% after deductible
X-raysrowlabel
Physician's service/office visit
and outpatient facilityradiology		$0 after deductible30% after deductible50% after deductible
Advanced Radiological Imaging (includes MRI, MRA, CAT scan, PET scan, etc.)rowlabel
Outpatient facility10% after deductible30% after deductible50% after deductible
Physician's services/office visit10% after deductible30% after deductible50% after deductible
Durable Medical Equipmentrowlabel
Durable medical equipment services10% after deductible10% after deductible50% after deductible
Skilled Nursing Care in Facility5rowlabel
Up to 60 days/year instead of acute hospital careskilled nursing10% after deductible10% after deductible50% after deductible
Home Health Carerowlabel
Home nursing visits prescribed by a doctorhome health care10% after deductible10% after deductible50% after deductible
Hospice Carerowlabel
If pre-authorizedhospice10% after deductible10% after deductible50% after deductible
Family Planningrowlabel
Infertilityinfertility ($30,000 lifetime medical maximum benefit; integrated with pharmacy)10% after deductible30% after deductible50% after deductible
Hearing Aids6rowlabel
Up to $2,000 every 36 months for each devicehearing$0 after deductible$0 after deductible50% after deductible
Allergy Testing and Evaluationrowlabel
Testing and physician visitsallergy10% after deductible30% after deductible50% after deductible

1 Calendar-year out-of-pocket maximum includes amounts you pay toward the deductible. It does not include copays, amounts over plan limits and penalties.

2 Routine health assessments include routine physicals, such as well-adult checkups, well-woman care and well-baby/well-child care.

3 These preventive services are covered at a $0 copay if billed by a separate facility: routine adult/child lab and X-rays, annual mammogram (including 3D and diagnostic), PSA (prostate-specific antigen) and Pap smear.

4 If admitted to hospital from the emergency room.

5 60 days combined maximum per calendar year for skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation (inpatient and outpatient) and sub-acute facilities.

6 Plan pays maximum of $2,000 per ear every 36 months for the hearing aid, which includes testing and fitting of hearing aid devices during specialist office visit (you pay applicable copay or coinsurance). Hearing aids must be obtained from Start Hearing except for the following hearing devices: non-digital or non programmable analog hearing aids or supplies for these types of hearing aids (disposable hearing aids, Cochlear/BAHA implants and assisted listening devices).

Free-Standing Emergency Room Visits

The PEHP does not cover visits to out-of-network, free-standing emergency rooms, which are facilities that:

  • Provide emergency medical services at a place outside of a regular hospital campus, and
  • Are not attached to a hospital or even located near one.
Pregnant Couple On Sofa At Home Looking At Baby Clothes

Save on Maternity Care

If you meet the calendar year deductible prior to your delivery, the HDHP in the Parkland Employee Health Plan will waive copays or coinsurance for all routine obstetric office visits related to your prenatal care if you participate in the Maternity Care Program through the Cigna Healthy Pregnancies/Healthy Babies Program during your first or second trimester.

Delivering at Parkland?

  • If you participate in the program, go to the Employee Women’s Wellness Center for routine doctor’s visits during pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby at Parkland, you’ll pay $0 for all services after you meet the calendar year deductible, including anesthesiology and facility charges.
  • If you participate in the program, go to a doctor who is not at the new Employee Women’s Wellness Center for routine doctor’s visits during pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby at Parkland, you will pay a $500 copay for the birth after you meet the calendar year deductible.

To be eligible for these incentives, you must enroll in the Healthy Pregnancies/Healthy Babies Program during your first or second trimester and continue to participate in the program each trimester of your pregnancy.

Learn more

Infertility Benefit To Help You on Your Parenting Journey

Parkland offers a generous infertility benefit covering a wide range of treatments and services. The infertility benefit is integrated with your pharmacy benefits. Employees enrolled in the HDHP have up to a $30,000 lifetime maximum for infertility benefits. You must first meet the deductible before the HDHP will begin paying benefits based on the tier of the provider that you use.

Your 2027 Medical Biweekly Benefit Deductions (HDHP)

For full-time employees, deductions are based on annual wages as shown in the chart below.

Full-Time Employees Whose Annual Wages ArePart-Time Employees With Benefits
Wagesrowlabel$45,000 and Under$45,000.01–$65,000$65,000.01–$100,000$100,000.01 and OverAll Hourly Rates
Coverage Category
Employee Only$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $126.48
Employee Plus Children $120.42$157.27$194.24$229.51$331.85
Employee Plus Spouse $147.24$194.72$240.56$279.61$404.23
Employee Plus Family $204.04$268.67$329.41$385.55$575.32

Note: If your salary increases between Open Enrollment and Jan. 1, 2027, the increase may move you into a higher benefit premium salary tier than what you are in during Open Enrollment. This situation especially applies if your current salary level is close to the top of one of the salary tiers.

Avoid Double Deductions; Enroll As Soon As You Can

As a new employee at Parkland, you are eligible for certain benefits from your date of hire as explained in Eligibility. Payroll deductions to pay for benefits will start after you enroll. If you don’t complete your enrollment until after we process your first paycheck, Parkland will deduct your first payment retroactively (plus the current payment). You might see a double deduction after the pay period in which you enroll. Enroll as soon as you can. Doing so may eliminate the chance of a double deduction from your second paycheck to pay for your benefits.

For example, you start work at Parkland on the day before the payroll period ends. Eligibility for medical/pharmacy benefits, the health savings account, the MetLife voluntary benefits, pet insurance and the legal program begins on your date of hire. During the second payroll period (but within your 31-day enrollment window), you enroll for the HDHP in the PEHP for yourself and your spouse. Parkland will take from your second paycheck two deductions to cover the medical/pharmacy benefits. For subsequent pay periods, you will pay only one deduction.

Covering Your Spouse

If your spouse has access to health care coverage through his/her own employer, you will pay a surcharge to cover them under the PEHP. The per-pay-period surcharge will be based on your salary band as shown in the chart below. Watch your mailbox during Open Enrollment and as a new hire for a packet containing next steps on the Working Spouse Health Coverage verification process. Failure to complete the verification process by the deadline means Parkland will apply the surcharge. You must repeat this process every year.

Annual WagesBiweekly Spousal Surcharge
$45,000 and Under$100
$45,000.01 - $65,000$125
$65,000.01 - $100,000$150
$100,000.01 and Over$200

Attention Tobacco Users: Complete Your Tobacco Cessation Program by June 30, 2027

Parkland is a smoke-free campus. To avoid paying the tobacco surcharge of $30 per pay period in 2027, you will need to complete an attestation during Open Enrollment if you will participate in the Parkland Employee Health Plan (PEHP) in 2027 and:

  • Were hired on or after Nov. 5, 2025.
  • Have changed your smoking status since 2026 Open Enrollment. For example, if you declared yourself a non-smoker in 2025 and have become a smoker or if you declared yourself a smoker during 2025 Open Enrollment and want to take a tobacco cessation class in 2027.

To avoid paying the surcharge for 2027, tobacco users are given the option to enroll in a tobacco cessation program and submit documentation of its completion by June 30, 2027. New hires on or after Oct. 22, 2026, will not be required to attest until the next Open Enrollment period in fall 2027. Get the details in the guidelines or read the Frequently Asked Questions. Deductions for the tobacco surcharge are not eligible for refunds.

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Compare Your Medical Options

Learn more about the PPO and HDHP.

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Programs And Tools

Get the most from your medical benefits.

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PPO

Want health care with more predictable costs? Check out the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) .

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HDHP With HSA

The HDHP works a little differently than the PPO. Dig into the details.