October 25, 2017

Chiefs’ ChatterNews & Notes from Senior Leadership

PTO Cash-In Policy ChangesDue to IRS rules regarding constructive receipt, which refers to income you do not have physical possession of but have access to use without restriction (like cashing in PTO), CaroMont will be changing the PTO Cash-In policy effective January 1, 2018. While we have tried to delay this change as long as possible, we now need to make a change based on IRS guidelines which state that this must be taxed.

Only non-exempt (hourly) employees and some providers (based on individual contracts) remain eligible to cash in PTO. Beginning in 2018, employees eligible to cash in PTO time will be subject to a 10% deduction. This means that PTO will be cashed in at 90% of its value. The 10% deduction applies to both PTO taken in cash and cashed-in PTO to cover CaroMont Health medical expense payments. If you cash in PTO to make CaroMont medical expense payments, CaroMont will discount your bill by 10%. This change does not impact PTO donations to other employees or to the Foundation.

Employee Benefits Update for 2018Open enrollment for CaroMont Health employees and covered dependents begins November 1. Benefits packets and information should be arriving to your home so you can review and prepare to complete your benefit selections by November 15.

One item to note, beginning January 1, 2018, CaroMont premiums will increase an average of 4.1% for medical and 1.0% for dental. While we had hoped to avoid increasing premiums at all, we have worked hard to find a solution that did not increase premiums at the national averages, which are currently 7.0% for medical and 3.0% for dental.

Everyone enrolled in the CaroMont medical plan plays a direct role in influencing plan costs. Because the medical plan is self-funded, CaroMont assumes financial risk for covering plan costs, which are primarily made up of projected claims for the year. The premiums shared by employees and CaroMont are intended to cover projected plan costs, but if actual claims paid exceed claims projections, premiums will likely rise the following year.

As individuals, we can’t control the rising cost of medical care itself. We can, however, control how we access health care services and manage our personal health. For example, engaging in healthy behaviors, staying current on preventive care services to identify potential health risks early, and actively managing chronic health conditions, are all actions we can take to help control the cost of our medical plan today and in the future. Our health care plans and wellness programs are designed to help you and your family maintain or attain your healthy best, and we hope you will take advantage of the many employee programs available.

If you have questions, please contact Human Resources at 704.834.2141.

Chiefs’ Chatter | News & Notes from Senior Leadership

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Cardiovascular Short Stay Unit, Sleep Lab and CaroMont Breast Surgical Specialists Win HealthStream Awards

Earlier this month, we learned that the Cardiovascular Short Stay Unit and Outpatient - Sleep Lap at CaroMont Regional and Paula Lundgren, MD at CaroMont Breast Surgical Specialists received the Excellence Through Insight® Awards by HealthStream. Through our patient experience survey partner, HealthStream, the Excellence Through Insight® Award recognizes clients who earn the highest and most improved ratings and exceed industry standards, as compared against all HealthStream clients across the country.

Gaston Women's Healthcare Recognized by NC Perinatal AssociationGaston Women’s Healthcare and OB Coordinator, Kathy Nichols, were recently recognized by the NC Perinatal Association for their work with breastfeeding mothers at The Birthplace. Gaston Women’s was named a 2017 Outstanding Business and Kathy received the Special Recognition Award for Mothers and Children. These awards are the result of the practice's succesful promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, which included overall monthly rates of 80 percent or higher.

Congratulations to Kathy and the Gaston Women’s Healthcare team!

While providing care at CaroMont Regional Medical Center - Mount Holly, Leeann Henson, RN recognized that a patient with right eye pain and a non-reactive pupil actually had acute angle closure glaucoma. Her close attention made sure the patient received the right diagnosis and was sent to ophthamology for emergency care.

Great job, Leann!

Good Catch: Leann Henson, RN

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CaroMont Heart & Vascular Celebrates New Name and New SpaceCaroMont Heart recently underwent quite a few exciting changes. The first was a new name and logo. CaroMont Heart is now CaroMont Heart & Vascular, which better reflects the the comprehensive care provided by our cardiologists and cardiac and vascular surgeons. They also began welcoming patients in their newly-renovated office in the Gaston Professional Center. The office offers two levels with Suite 200 housing all patient exam rooms and Suite 300 offering testing and diagnostics in one location. Check out some pictures of the new office.

Professional Office Building Wins Design AwardThe Professional Office Building, located at 2315 Court Drive, took home top prize in the Charlotte Business Journal's 2017 Heavy Hitters in Commercial Real Estate Award in the Healthcare Development Category. CaroMont Health, as well as our architecture partner, FMK, was applauded for the collaborative approach taken to design a building that is as functional as it is attractive. Great work by Facilities, Construction and Property Management teams, as well as the 10 departments who helped design and now work in the building.