Terminology Defined for CHA Benefits:

• Biweekly - an employee who is paid by CHA and receives paychecks on a biweekly cycle, resulting in 26 paychecks in the calendar year. 

• Weekly -  an employee who is paid by CHA and receives paychecks on a weekly cycle, resulting in 52 paychecks in the calendar year. This is also known as the Cambridge Payroll.

• CHA Payrolls:

  1. Cambridge - paid weekly

  2. CHAPO - paid biweekly

  3. CHAGS (previously called Whidden or Everett) - paid biweekly (includes temporary employees)

  4. CHAMS - paid biweekly via Paychex (Out-Of-State Remote Worker Payroll)

• CHAPO - Cambridge Health Alliance Physician Organization. This refers to the CHAPO payroll and to CHAPO employees who have different benefits from the other groups.

  1. If you are unsure if you are a CHAPO employee, you can check your pay stub

• CHAGS - Cambridge Health Alliance General Services. This refers to one of the biweekly payrolls.

• CHAMS - Cambridge Health Alliance Management Services. This refers to one of the biweekly payrolls who are paid through Paychex.

  1. Paychex - an external payroll for Out-Of-State Remote Workers

• Temporary Employee - an employee paid by CHA through our internal temp agency. You would have worked with Kurby or Thanes during the hire process.

• Union Employee - an employee who is in a union position. The union can determine specific benefits.

  1. If you are unsure if you are in a union position:

     • Check by logging into Infor, click on My Profile (left hand menu), click on Work Assignments. If you see anything in the Step or Pay step fields, then you are a Union Employee or in a union position(you may have to scroll to the fields to the right).

• Non-union Employee - an employee who is in a non-union position. 

  1. If you are unsure if you are in a non-union position:

     • Check by logging into Infor, click on My Profile (left hand menu), click on Work Assignments. If the Step or Pay step fields are blank, then you are a non-union employee.

Where can I find help on Life events and Enrollment?

Up to date How To Guides can be found on the Infor Resources Page under Benefits. After reviewing the appropriate How To Guide and you still have questions or difficulty, please contact by email Benefits@challiance.org or by phone 617-591-4213 (ext. 4213) 

What Life Event should I do?

There are many Life Events in Infor to choose from. Most Life events require you to be a new hire or have a qualifying event within 30 days of making the change. Documentation is required to show proof of change.

• Life Events that must be done within 30 days of the change

  • Birth/Adopt/New Guardian - If you have a new child to add to your plans

  • Obtained Other Coverage - If you or your dependents have new coverage somewhere else and would like to drop or make changes to your current coverage

  • Loss of Other Coverage - If you or your dependents have lost your other coverage and would like to add coverage

  • Marriage or New Domestic Partnership - Add or drop coverage due to a new relationship status

  • Divorce/Legal Separation/Dissolve Domestic Partnership - If you are adding or changing coverage due to a relationship status change

  • Death - If a spouse/dependent has passed on and should be removed from your plans

• Life Events that can be done at anytime during the year without a qualifying event

  • CHA Foundation Payroll Donation - Make or change donations to CHA Foundation

  • Life Insurance Beneficiary Update - To add or update Beneficiaries on your Life Insurance Plans

  • Identity Theft Enroll/Unenroll - Make changes to your ID Theft plan. Changes are effective 1st of the next month.

  • Health Waiver Payout Event - If you are in a Union that offers the health insurance payout and you are not currently taking advantage of it, you may do so with proof of other (non-cha) coverage

  • Elect or Increase Supplemental Life/Spouse Life - CHAPO Optional Life Insurance changes (EOI may be required)

Instructions on how to complete life events can be found on the Infor Resources Page under Benefits.

Who is an eligible dependent?

For CHA sponsored plans, your spouse, domestic partner and your dependent child(ren) up to age 26 are eligible. When enrolling new dependents, you will need to submit Dependent Verification documents. Please see below “What required documents do I need to provide?” for details.

Who is covered under the different coverage options?

In Infor, there are 3 Coverage Levels to pick from when you select a plan. Each benefit will also have a Waive Option. Selecting the Waive option means you are uninterested in electing that benefit. Note, CHA does not have the option to select Individual+1.

• Individual

  • Pick this plan if you just want coverage for yourself.

• Spouse and/or Children

  • Pick this plan if you are just enrolling a Spouse.

  • Pick this plan if you are just enrolling your child(ren).

  • Pick this plan if you are enrolling a spouse and your child(ren).

• Domestic Partner and/or Children

  • Pick this plan if you are just enrolling a Domestic Partner.

  • Pick this plan if you are enrolling a Domestic Partner and your child(ren).

What required documents do I need to provide?

To enroll a child in a CHA plan for the first time, you must submit a Birth Certificate. To enroll a spouse for the first time, you must submit your marriage certificate. To enroll a domestic partner, you must submit a Domestic Partner Affidavit.

What is different if I elect a Domestic Partner and/or Children plan vs a Spouse and/or Children plan?

Electing a Spouse and/or Children plan means the full biweekly cost is deducted pre-tax. Electing a Domestic Partner coverage level plan is the same cost as a Spouse and/or Children plan, but there is a pre-tax and post-tax portion. You are also taxed on the portion of the premium that CHA contributes. This is called "noncash income" and you will see it on your paystub. The noncash income is added as an earning to your pay. After taxes are calculated, the noncash income amount is removed.

What is an FSA?

FSAs are accounts funded through payroll deduction to help pay for medical and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

Plan Year runs from January 1 – December 31

Grace Period allows access to any remaining dollars in your account through 3/15 of the following year:

Any money remaining in the account at the end of the grace period will be forfeited as the plan follows the IRS use it or lose rule.

You can elect an FSA even if you are not enrolled in a CHA health plan. 

What is the difference between Health FSA and Dependent Care FSA?

Healthcare FSA’s are used for eligible health, dental, vision or certain over-the-counter expenses not covered by insurance. These expenses can be for you or your eligible tax dependents, whether or not they are covered on the CHA Health Plan, but you must re-enroll every year. A list of eligible and ineligible expenses can be found in Infor, Benefits Information and search "FSA".

Dependent Care FSA’s are used for childcare, preschool tuition, summer camps or after school programs that your children attend that allow you and, if you are married, your spouse to work.  Certain adult day care expenses for eligible dependents are also eligible. You must re-enroll every year. A list of eligible and ineligible expenses can be found in Infor, Benefits Information and search "FSA".

Use It or Lose It Rule  - any money left in either plan once the grace period has expired will be forfeited

What is the ID Theft Protection Plan?

The ID Theft Protection Plan is a voluntary plan through Allstate. With this plan, you can enroll in Individual Coverage or Family Coverage. Family coverage covers any person who resides in your home, and any parents or grandparents over the age of 65. This plan has a monthly deduction structure, meaning the deduction will only come out of your paycheck one time per month. The ID Protection Plan provides comprehensive privacy management. Innovative tools and monitoring help manage and protect the personal information you and your family share with companies while shopping, banking or using social media. Go to the Benefits Site for links to more information.

Where can I see co-pays and other plan details?

You can find co-pays and other relevant plan information under the Summary of Benefits on the Health tab or the Coverage Summary under the on the Dental tab.

When will I get my physical ID card?

If you elected Health, Dental, Flexible Spending, you can expect to receive physical ID cards in approximately 21 business days. Please Note: MetLife Superior Supplemental Vision does not send physical ID cards. Please see below for accessing a digital card. 

Digital ID cards are also available:

• Health Insurance Card: You can access your digital ID card between 5-10 days from when your coverage is effective.

• Dental Insurance Card: Delta Dental offers printable ID cards on their website or by calling Delta at 800-872-0500.

• MetLife Superior Supplemental Vision: Manage your information online and get your digital ID card between 5-10 days from when your coverage is effective.

How do I find an in-network provider for my health plan?

See the Health tab section "Finding a Provider" for information and links to find a provider both at CHA and outside of CHA.

How do I find a dental provider?

Go to https://deltadentalma.com/

Click Find a Provider

Select the plan Delta Dental PPO – Plus Premier 

Enter your location information

Click “Search for a Dentist”

How do I find a MetLife vision provider?

If you signed up for MetLife Superior Vision, click here for how to find a provider.

CHA Network Savings Opportunities

Behavioral Health

• Both CHA Choice and CHA Option participants and covered family members have the same network access to behavioral health.  All covered individuals have access to in-network providers outside the CHA Network.  Access to the full Harvard Pilgrim Network is available.

• In-network costs for visits:

  • CHA Option - $5 copay

  • CHA Choice – Tier 1 - $5 copay; Tier 2 - $20 copay; Tier 3 - 70% of allowable after deductible

• Interns and Social Workers (regardless of which plan) and covered family members have access to a Special Network that has been built internally.  This small list of providers has agreed to a predetermined reimbursement rate directly from HPI.  They have also agreed to submit claims on behalf of the participant and will not balance bill. The participant will be responsible for their plans in-network co-payment for the office visit only.  

  • Note:  if you are seeking services from a provider that is not in any of the available networks we are happy to reach out and invite them to join our Special Network.  Coverage is not considered in-network unless the provider agrees in advance to the arrangement.

  • Out of network coverage is only available in the CHA Choice Plan.  The CHA Option plan does not allow for out of network behavioral health providers.

Referrals 

• CHA Option plan requires that participants receive their care at CHA.  Referrals can be requested from a CHA Primary Care Provider for services not available at CHA.  This extends to both in- and out-patient services.

• Referrals are not required for the CHA Choice Plan – one exception to this rule for Choice participants would be if your child has a CHA PCP who refers them to Mass General for pediatric services, coverage will be at the Tier 1 level (Mass General is typically a Tier 2 facility).  This is only an option if the pediatrician is a CHA PCP.

Access to Medical Specialists at CHA 

• Available to CHA Option and CHA Choice participants and covered family members (based on availability for CHA Choice participants).

• Be sure to identify yourself as a CHA employee or family member who is covered by a CHA sponsored medical plan.

• Services covered at the Tier 1 Level for CHA Choice participants

Access to Diagnostic Services at CHA 

• Available to CHA Option and CHA Choice participants and covered family members - services must be received at one of the main CHA hospitals (Somerville, Everett or Cambridge) and you must have detailed orders from your Primary Care Physician (PCP can be in or outside the CHA Network).   

• Be sure to identify yourself as a CHA employee or family member who is covered by a CHA sponsored medical plan.

• Services received at CHA would be covered at the Tier 1 Level for CHA Choice Participants

Pharmacy 

With either plan (CHA Choice or CHA Option), prescriptions at a CHA Pharmacy are processed with no cost to you and your covered family members (members (in person at a retail pharmacy, onsite kiosks and home mailing options available).

CareWell Urgent Care 

Accessible to both CHA Option and CHA Choice participants and covered family members with a $5 co-pay. 

Same day visits at CHA Assembly Square Care Center 

Available to CHA Option and CHA Choice participants – same day visits (subject to availability) at the Assembly Square Care Center for employees and covered family members (regardless of whether the employee has a CHA PCP).  

Wellness Incentive Program 

Available to CHA Option and CHA Choice participants and their partner or spouse.  Earn dollars towards a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) Debit Card which may be used to pay your co-pays, deductible, and co-insurance (if applicable).  More details can be found on the Wellbeing Corner.

What if I decide to make a change after I've submitted my enrollment?

If your event is in Submitted or Submit Pending status, you can make changes and hit Submit at the end.

If your event is in Finalized status, email Benefits@challiance.org for assistance. 

Retirement - How to Enroll/Change Contributions 

Our 403(b) and 457(b) plans are administered by Transamerica. Please go to transamerica.com/portal or call Transamerica at (800) 755-5801 to set up or access your account. For more detailed instructions, go to the Retirement tab and select the plan you are eligible for to find the appropriate Enrollment Guide.

How do I check my ET balance?

To check your absence balance (ET, EST, PTO, MEST hours available):

Go to Infor

Select My Profile from the left hand navigation

Select Absences

This will show the balances relevant to you. Check the Available Hours column for your available balance.

OR

Go to Staffnet

Select People the left side menu

Click Private Information

Click Benefit Information

How do I find a Provider?

You can find a CHA Provider by calling 617-665-1305 and stating which care center you want to be seen at. Please identify yourself as a CHA employee.

If you have the Choice Plan, you can find a provider by visiting www.healthplansinc.com/cha. Reminder: Where you receive care (and what tier that falls into) determines how the claim will be processed. Note: If you are in the CHA Option Plan, you must have a CHA Provider

Open Enrollment (OE)

What is Open Enrollment?

Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to make changes to your health, dental, and vision plans. OE is also your opportunity to enroll in Health Care and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for 2025 (see below for more information on FSAs). You can make these changes all without the need for a qualifying event. If you are enrolling new dependents, you will need to submit Dependent Verification documents.

When is Open Enrollment?

Open Enrollment 2024 will take place from October 27, 2024 - November 15, 2024. Changes made during Open Enrollment are effective January 1, 2025.

What if I miss the Open Enrollment period?

If you miss the open enrollment (OE) period, you will not be able to enroll in or make changes until the next annual open enrollment period — unless you experience a qualifying event. 

Where do I complete Open Enrollment?

All Open Enrollment changes are completed in Infor! Instructions and a video on how to complete your event can be found under Open Enrollment.

I am not making any changes to my benefits, do I still need to complete the Open Enrollment (OE) event?

You DO need to complete the OE event if you want a FSA for the new year.

You DO need to complete the OE event if you want to make any changes to your current benefits.

You DO NOT need to complete the OE event if you are not making changes to your health, dental or vision plans AND you are not interested in having a FSA.

When will my Open Enrollment elected benefits be effective?

Open Enrollment elections will be effective January 1, 2025. If your Open Enrollment changes affect your pay period deductions, you can expect those changes in the first January paycheck in 2025.

What if I don't have a computer to enroll or I need help enrolling?

  CHA will host multiple session during Open Enrollment. A schedule will be provided at a later date.