FAQs

If you are eligible, you are automatically enrolled in the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), core disability and Basic Life Insurance. You are also automatically enrolled in the retirement benefits program, if eligible: the Supplemental Savings Plan (2% before-tax savings rate for full-time employees)  and the Mandatory Savings Plan (6.2% for full-time employees and 7.5% for part-time employees) instead of contributing to Social Security.

As a new hire, you must enroll in all benefits (other than the Supplemental Savings Plan) within 30 days of your hire date for coverage to begin when you become eligible.

If you do not complete your online benefits enrollment by the deadline as a new hire, you may not enroll for benefits until the next Open Enrollment unless you have a qualified status change. Additionally, you will not be enrolled for coverage under any optional plan.

The optional benefits you choose when you enroll are in effect for 2024.

Your deductions to pay for benefits will start after you enroll. If you don’t complete your enrollment until after your first paycheck is processed, Parkland will deduct your first payment retroactively. Act quickly to make your benefit elections. If you do, you can possibly eliminate the chance of a double deduction to pay for your benefits in your first month as a Parkland employee.

You can enroll from home and most work computers using the web-based MyParkland on our PeopleSoft Self-Service System.

Note: If you are enrolling from a non-Parkland device, you must register for remote access through DUO first. Use this link to submit a self-service DUO Request. For technical issues with the OTM Portal, contact the Technical Support Center at 214‑590‑5999.

1. Log on to PeopleSoft at https://hr.parklandhealth.org/pshr/signon.html.
2. Enter your:
   • User ID, which is your Parkland employee ID number.
   • Default password, which is phhs plus the last four digits of your Social Security number.
3. After clicking Sign In, select Main Menu on the home page and go to MyParkland > Benefits > Benefits Details > Benefits Enrollment.
4. Make sure you provide Social Security numbers. The law requires that you provide Parkland with a Social Security number for all covered dependents in the medical plan. Dependents can’t be enrolled without a Social Security number.
5. Save a screenshot of the summary of your final elections for your records.
6. Click Submit Enrollment. Then click Done.

Don’t forget! Click Done for the system to accept your new elections.

In accordance with federal law, you may change your benefit elections during the year only if you have a change in life or employment status. Examples of life events that will enable you to change your coverage include birth or adoption of a child, marriage, divorce or loss of coverage. Review your elections carefully to see if your choices will fit your situation throughout the year. Change requests for status change event elections must be made within 30 days following the event. For more details, see the Qualified Status Changes section.

As part of the dependent eligibility verification process for the medical, dental or vision plans, you will be required to submit documentation to prove your relationship to your dependents, including marriage certificates, birth certificates and tax returns. Be on the lookout — Amwins will email and mail a request for dependent eligibility verification to your home address currently on file at Parkland. Do not submit documentation until Amwins sends you a verification request. Learn more here.

Open Enrollment is your once-a-year opportunity to change your benefit elections. You can:

• Enroll in or change your coverage in Parkland’s benefit programs (medical, dental, vision,  health savings account, flexible spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, legal, disability buy-up and buy-down plans, critical illness insurance, group accident insurance, hospital indemnity and pet insurance).
• Add or drop a dependent.
• Participate in the HSA (if enrolling in the HDHP) and FSAs for the next year — only if you re-enroll each year.
• Sell Paid Time Off (PTO) that you have already earned or will accrue in future years.
• Increase or decrease life insurance coverage.

The deadline will be announced prior to Open Enrollment in the fall of each year.

You must enroll if you want to:

• Sell Paid Time Off (PTO).
  Through PeopleSoft (MyParkland), you can sell up to 40 hours PTO that you have already earned or will accrue in the future.
• Verify/reverify your spouse’s access to other health care coverage through his/her employer.
  If you don’t take this step and want to cover your spouse under the Parkland Employee Health Plan (PEHP), you will pay the spousal surcharge.
• Enroll in a Health Care Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account.
  FSA and HSA elections do not carry over from year to year.

If you’re happy with your current benefits, no action is required during Open Enrollment. It’s still a good idea to verify your current mailing address, emergency contacts and contact information on file, as well as review your beneficiaries for life and AD&D insurance at PeopleSoft (MyParkland). You can review your beneficiaries for the Supplemental Retirement Plan and the Retirement Income Plan (for full-time employees) at MillimanBenefits.com.

The PEHP (PPO and HDHP) offers three coverage tiers. You can go to a doctor in any of these tiers. The plan pays a different amount for benefits depending on which tier your doctor is in.

• Tier 1: Parkland Health Network — Get the highest level of benefits and lowest costs.
• Tier 2: Cigna Open Access Plus Network — You’ll pay higher costs and must meet higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums compared to Tier 1.
• Tier 3: Out of Network — Use any provider/facility outside of Tiers 1 and 2 and receive out-of-network Tier 3 benefits. This tier has the highest deductibles and out-of-pocket maximum.

Learn more here.

No, you can see providers in any of the three tiers. For example, you might see your PCP, who is a Tier 1 Parkland Health provider. Your allergist may be in Tier 2, and your dermatologist might be in Tier 3. The tier your doctor is in will determine what you pay for office visits and where you can get your prescriptions filled (see Pharmacy below). Remember, Tier 1 providers offer the highest level of benefits and lowest costs. Log in to myCigna.com to see a list of Tier 1 and Tier 2 providers. (Prior to Jan. 1, 2024, search for doctors in the Cigna Open Access Plus Network at Cigna Health Care Provider Directory.) Providers not on this list would be considered Tier 3, and you will receive out-of-network benefits for those office visits.

If Parkland Health or Children’s Medical Center facilities are not used for services ordered by your Tier 1 doctor, then your services will be covered under Tier 2 or Tier 3. A variety of reasons may exist for your Tier 1 provider’s choice to use a facility not in Tier 1 for other covered services, including timing and availability of a Tier 1 facility to provide a service. When going to a Parkland Health facility to see a UTSW provider with privileges at Parkland, discuss the additional services recommended by the provider to confirm how they will be covered.

You’re not required to choose a PCP, and you don’t need referrals to see a specialist. But choosing a PCP may still make sense. A PCP knows your medical history and can help coordinate your care. The amount you pay for office visits will be based on which tier your doctor is in.

Yes. You and your covered dependents can use MDLIVE if you’re enrolled in the PEHP. You will pay a $25 copay per visit with an MDLIVE physician. For the HDHP, you pay a $25 copay per visit after you meet the deductible. Talk to a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 via phone, video or mobile app who can answer your questions, make a diagnosis and even prescribe basic medications (subject to availability by state). Set up your account at myCigna.com or call (888-726-3171). If you have a virtual care visit outside of the MDLIVE network, you will pay for that visit based on your doctor’s tier in the PEHP.

Visits to out-of-network, free-standing emergency rooms are not covered. This mean 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.

In the event of an emergency, go to a hospital emergency room. For details on emergency care in the PEHP, see the Medical section.

We compiled this list of Frequently Asked Questions from our in-person and virtual meetings with Cigna. You can view a recording of the virtual meeting in English or Spanish on the Videos page.

Take a look at these additional FAQs.

With the HDHP:

• You pay the full cost of care (except for in-network preventive care) until you meet the deductible. After you meet the deductible, you and the plan share the cost of care. For coverage in tiers 1 and 2, the cost of care is contracted and negotiated with Cigna.
• You can enroll in the Parkland-funded HSA to help you pay for care; you can add money of your own, too.
• There are lower paycheck contributions than the PPO (HDHP has $0 premium for employee-only coverage) but you’ll pay higher deductibles until the HDHP begins paying any benefits (except for in-network preventive care).

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.

To receive Parkland’s HSA contribution, you must elect the HDHP with HSA during enrollment. To enroll for the HSA, see the “Health Savings Account” tile toward the end of the enrollment page. When you elect the HSA, Parkland and Optum Bank will open your HSA account and begin depositing per-pay-period HSA contributions to your account. If you elect only the HDHP and do not elect the HSA, you will not receive Parkland’s contribution.

NOTE: If you are currently enrolled in the HDHP and re-elect the HDHP for next year, your Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution WILL NOT automatically carry over. You must re-elect the HSA during Open Enrollment and choose the amount you want to contribute. To receive Parkland’s contribution, you must elect the HSA.

Take a look at these additional FAQs.

Where you can fill your prescription depends on the type of provider who writes it. For prescriptions written by a Tier 1 provider at a Parkland facility (including Parkland Health providers and UTSW providers with Parkland privileges who see you at a Parkland facility), pharmacies include the Anderson, Moody, a Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) pharmacy¹ or a retail pharmacy in the Cigna Pharmacy Network. Prescriptions written by a Children’s Medical Center provider must be filled at a retail pharmacy in the Cigna Pharmacy Network. Cigna network pharmacies include most major pharmacies, such as Walgreens and CVS. Pharmacies at Kroger and Sam’s Club are not Cigna network pharmacies.

¹ You may fill regular prescriptions at the C.V. Roman (formerly RedBird) Health Center Pharmacy, 3560 W. Camp Wisdom in Dallas. However, you may not fill mail-order prescriptions at this location.

With mail order, you can receive up to a 90-day supply of your medicine. The first time you fill a prescription, ask your provider for two prescriptions — one that you can fill immediately and one that you can fill through the mail-order service.

Use the Parkland mail-order service for prescriptions written by a Tier 1 Parkland provider at a Parkland facility.

• Have your provider electronically send your prescriptions to the Parkland Pharmacy of your choice.
• For refill requests, you can use the online refill page on Parkland Intranet under Pharmacy Employee online refills, Mychart, or call in on the IVR line with the information on your prescription bottle.
• Questions? Call 214-590-1400.

Use the Cigna Pharmacy Mail-Order Service for prescriptions written by a:

• Tier 1 Children’s Medical Center provider
• Tier 2 provider in the Cigna Open Access Plus Network
• Tier 3 out-of-network provider

You can also pick up your 90-day prescriptions at a nearby Cigna network pharmacy.

For Cigna Pharmacy Mail-Order Service, call 800-247-4433.

The pharmacy program divides medications into three categories:

• Generic — These drugs contain the same active ingredients and are subject to the same standards as brand-name drugs with respect to quality, strength and purity. Using a generic drug offers the lowest-cost option, regardless of where you fill your prescription. To save money, ask your doctor to prescribe a generic if available. Generics can cost 25% to 75% less than brand-name drugs yet are equally as effective.
• Preferred brand-name — This category includes brand-name drugs with no generic equivalent that are included on the preferred drug list (also called a formulary). This list includes medications that are proven to be safe, effective and affordable.
• Non-preferred brand name — This category includes brand-name drugs that have generic equivalents or another brand-name option on the preferred drug list. You will pay more money to fill a prescription from the list. You and your doctor may decide that a medication in this category is best for you.

No. You’ll receive one ID card that includes both medical and pharmacy information.

With the DHMO, you get care through the DHMO network of dentists. Except for emergencies, you must receive care from a network dentist to receive benefits. There are no deductibles, and you pay a set copay for care according to a patient charge schedule.

With the DPPO, you can see any dentist, but you’ll save money if you use a Cigna network dentist. After you meet the deductible, you and the plan share the cost.

With the DHMO, orthodontia is covered for adults and children.

With the DPPO, orthodontia is only covered for dependent children under age 26.

Yes, you will receive a dental ID card when you enroll for the first time. You can request a replacement card by submitting a request online at cigna.com or calling 800-247-4433.

That depends on which dental plan you choose.

DHMO: Your network general doctor will refer you to a specialist in the network.

DPPO: No referral is needed to see a specialist. Remember, you’ll save money if you use a provider in the Cigna network.

Yes. You will receive a vision ID card when you enroll for the first time. If you need a replacement card, contact Superior Vision by MetLife at  833-393-5433. You can also request a replacement card or print a card at mybenefits.metlife.com. You will  need to register the first time you access the portal. In addition, you may access an ID card from the MetLife phone app, available from the App Store or Google Play.

An optometrist is an eye doctor who can perform eye exams and vision tests, as well prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses.

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in eye care. Ophthalmologists can diagnose and treat eye disease, perform eye surgery, and prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses.

No. Due to IRS regulations, the HSA is available only if you enroll in the HDHP. If you enroll in Parkland’s PPO or another medical plan that is not a high-deductible health plan, you can take advantage of the tax-advantaged Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

No. You must re-elect the HSA every year in order to receive Parkland’s contribution and make your own contributions.

Yes. Unlike an FSA, the HSA has no use-it-or-lose-it rule.

Once your account is set up, Parkland will make contributions into your HSA each pay period. The maximum amount contributed each pay period is $19.24 for individual coverage and $38.47 for spouse/family coverage – that can add up to $500 to $1,000 per year depending on your coverage! You don’t have to add money of your own to receive Parkland’s contribution.

Take a look at these additional FAQs.

Generally, federal taxes range from 15% to 28%, which means you could save about 30 cents on every dollar you spend on eligible expenses.

No. You will lose any 2024 FSA money you don’t use by March 15, 2025. You have until March 31, 2025, to request reimbursement and file claims for 2024 expenses. You will forfeit any remaining amount.

First, review your family’s health care bills for the last few years. Then, consider whether you have any big planned expenses for next year, such as surgery or having a baby. Include only out-of-pocket expenses that aren’t paid by health care coverage. Estimate carefully, as you’ll lose whatever you don’t use by March 15, 2025. Visit inspirafinancial.com to use an interactive budget worksheet.

For each account, you have until March 15, 2024, to use your 2023 balance. Any amount remaining after that deadline will be forfeited. You must file FSA claims related to 2023 accounts by March 31, 2024.

Parkland offers a special incentive to encourage you to contribute to the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account.

• Parkland’s contribution is equal to 25% of the amount that you contribute (up to $1,000 per year).
• The total maximum contribution per year is $5,000 ($4,000 from you and $1,000 from Parkland contribution).
• For example, if you contribute $2,800, Parkland will contribute $700 (25% of $2,800) for a total contribution of $3,500.

Keep these points in mind.

• Only health care expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income can be deducted from your income taxes, according to the IRS.
• For dependent care expenses, take a look at the tax credit vs. the spending account. The tax credit is determined by applying a percentage to your total dependent care expenses. Based on current tax structure, generally the tax credit is more beneficial than a dependent care spending account if your family income is under $24,000.

IRS rules do not allow you to have both a Health Care Flexible Spending Account and a Health Savings Account (HSA).

If you currently have a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and you elect the HDHP with HSA for 2024, you will need to use any remaining 2023 FSA funds by Dec. 31, 2023. Any 2023 balance not used by Dec. 31, 2023, will be forfeited.

You will have until March 31, 2024, to file 2023 claims.

Evidence of insurability (EOI) is a statement of health that insurance companies may require before insurance will be effective. If you are required to provide EOI, the insurer must approve your enrollment before your coverage is effective. An EOI form will be mailed to your home if needed. See below for when EOI is required.

• As a new hire: If you elect coverage over 3 times your salary for you (up to $500,000) or more than $50,000 for your spouse.
• During Open Enrollment if you want to:
  • Enroll for more than 3 times coverage or $500,000
  • Increase your coverage by more than 1 times annual base salary
  • Increase your spouse’s life coverage

A beneficiary is the person you designate to receive your benefits. You must elect a beneficiary to receive your life and AD&D benefits. Go online to PeopleSoft (MyParkland) to name your beneficiary.

You’re considered disabled if the following occurs as a result of physical disease, injury, pregnancy or behavioral health disorder:

• You’re unable to perform the duties of your job, and
• You suffer a loss of at least 15% to 20% of your pre-disability job earnings.

Eligible employees may be able to take an unpaid Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) of up to 12 weeks, in any 12 months for certain situations, such as the birth of a child or if you have a serious medical condition.

If a family member suffers a serious injury or illness while serving on active duty, you may take up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave.

All Parkland employees are required to use PTO while off work (except for military leave). If you are receiving disability pay, any PTO you have will offset the remainder of your normal base pay.

During Open Enrollment, you can sell up to 40 hours of PTO that you have already earned or will accrue in the future. Parkland will pay 100% of your hourly base pay rate for each hour that you sell. You will receive payment for the PTO that you sell in one lump sum that will be included in your first check in April 2024 (April 9, 2024).

No. Once you are enrolled, your policy will automatically renew every year.

Yes. You’re free to take your pet to any licensed veterinarian anywhere in the world — including specialists and emergency providers.

1. Decide how much you want to contribute.
2. Your before-tax and Roth after-tax contributions will be allocated first to your 403(b) account in the SSP.
3. When you reach the IRS maximum for the 403(b) account, your contributions will automatically convert to 457(b) contributions.
4. When you reach the combined before-tax and/or Roth after-tax limit for 403(b) and 457(b) contributions:
   • Your contributions will automatically convert to employee after-tax contributions, ensuring that you receive any remaining match.
   • If you prefer to stop your contributions rather than converting them to employee after-tax contributions, call Milliman at 800‑995‑2608. Let the representative know that you do not want to start making employee after-tax contributions. Your elections for before-tax and Roth after-tax contributions will resume at the beginning of the next year.
5. If your 403(b) before-tax and/or Roth after-tax contributions converted to 457(b) and/or employee after-tax during the year, they will restart as 403(b) contributions for the following calendar year.

Yes, you can change that amount at any time. Parkland automatically enrolls full-time employees in the Supplemental Savings Plan at 2% before-tax. You may want to save more or less. What’s important is that you save. The auto enroll amount starts on the first pay date after 45 days of employment. You can increase or decrease the amount you are saving at MillimanBenefits.com or through the Milliman Benefits Service Center at 800‑995‑2608.

If you joined Parkland before Jan. 1, 2022 (the date on which automatic enrollment was implemented) or are a part-time employee, you may enroll in or change your contributions to the Supplemental Savings Plan at any time through the above website or Benefits Service Center

Yes. You have two ways to take money out of the Supplemental Savings Plan while you are working – loans and in-service withdrawals.

• Loans. You may request a loan from your before-tax 403(b), Roth after-tax and rollover accounts. The SSP will access your Roth after-tax accounts last. You may not take a loan from your before-tax 457(b), after tax and part-time mandatory contributions made before 2024. You may not borrow from the Mandatory Savings Plan. You may have one outstanding loan at a time. You may borrow:
  • A minimum of $1,000
  • Up to the lesser of one-half of your total vested account balance (excluding part-time mandatory contributions made before 2024) or $50,000, reduced by your highest outstanding loan balance during the last 12 months.
• In-Service Withdrawals. You may:
  • Withdraw from your after-tax or rollover accounts at any time.
  • Request a full or partial withdrawal of your account balance after age 59½ if you are 100% vested in the Parkland match.
  • Apply for a financial hardship withdrawal from all or part of your before-tax 403(b) and Roth after-tax 403(b) contributions and the vested portion of Parkland’s matching contributions.
  • Apply for an unforeseeable emergency withdrawal from your before-tax 457(b) and Roth after-tax 457(b) contributions if you or your dependents incur a severe financial hardship as defined in the Summary Plan Description in Legal Notices.

You may not take money out of the Mandatory Savings Plan while you are working for Parkland Health.

Full-time employees working at Parkland on Dec. 12, 2023 (the pay period end date for the last paycheck in 2023) will continue to participate in the Retirement Income Plan with no change unless they move to part-time status, terminate employment or retire. Current part-time employees will continue to make the same required 7.5% contributions that will now go into the new Mandatory Savings Plan. Read the Overview and FAQs for details.

Thinking about retirement? Take a look at the Retirement Offboarding Overview which outlines the key steps you’ll need to take to ensure a smooth transition to retirement.

When you stop working at Parkland, you may leave your money in the Supplemental Savings Plan or request a lump-sum payment of your account. You may also be eligible for partial or installment payments. Starting at age 73, you must start taking required minimum distributions from your account. For details, go to MillimanBenefits.com or see the Summary Plan Description in the Legal Notices section.

Allstate Health Solutions (formerly VelaPoint Insurance) is a program that gives future Parkland retirees a resource to purchase benefits outside of Parkland. Visit parklandretire.allstatehealth.com to get competitive quotes for health, dental and vision, supplemental insurance (critical illness and accident insurance), home and auto, and life insurance. Questions? Call 855-909-0181 to speak with a designated Parkland retiree specialist.

If you stop working at Parkland or a dependent loses coverage as a result of a qualified status change, you can purchase COBRA coverage for medical/dental/vision benefits for yourself or an eligible dependent for a period of time. See the 2024 monthly rates here.