November 6, 2023

Week 3 of 2024 Annual Enrollment is your final opportunity to make a difference in your health and the health of your family members!

Now through 11:59 p.m. on November 10, visit texaschildrensbenefits.org to finalize your elections. If you do not take action by the deadline, you will remain enrolled in your current 2023 elections – with the exception of the Flexible Spending Accounts, which must be re-elected annually.

Join our Virtual Benefits Fair – on Tuesday, November 7, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. – to get details about benefits tailored to meet your needs. Please don’t hesitate. The time to elect your 2024 benefits is now!

Take advantage of your chance to engage, one-on-one, with a benefits professional. Review the Questions? Need Help? details, below – for the assistance option that works best for you.

As a reminder, effective January 1, 2024, our NEW Paid Parental Benefit offers eligible team members who are starting or growing families time off to bond with your new child. Click here for more details about this inclusive offering and for access to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Make the most of this last week of 2024 Annual Enrollment!

QUESTIONS? NEED HELP?

  • CONTACT AN HR TEAM MEMBER ABOUT THE NEW PAID PARENTAL BENEFIT

An HR team member can help you understand all of the important details.

    • Contact us by phone – at 832-824-2893, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • ASK EMMA, YOUR PERSONAL DIGITAL BENEFITS ADVISOR

Available 24/7 within the Benefits portal in both English and Spanish from any desktop or mobile device, Ask Emma offers confidential guidance and advice to help you select the right benefits for you and your family.

  • TEXAS CHILDREN’S BENEFITS TEAM VIRTUAL AND PHONE SUPPORT

Our Benefits team is available to help you by phone or web chat from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Spanish language assistance is also available via phone and web chat.

    • Phone 832-824-2421 (select option 1 and then option 1 again for Benefits).
    • Web chat (located at the top of your Benefits homepage).
    • Virtually via Teams for 30-minutes by appointment from November 8 – 10. Click here to reserve your desired time slot.
  • DEDICATED ON-SITE SUPPORT

Receive one-on-one support from a member of the Benefits team during one of our Enrollment Labs, or get help from our Cigna Member Services Partner, JoAnn Tillman. Click here to access the Enrollment Lab schedule. Email JoAnn at jxtillma@texaschildrens.org or call 346-634-7685, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

October 31, 2023

You can make a difference for yourself and your family with the available benefits in 2024, including our new Paid Parental Benefit!

We are excited to bring you Week 2 of 2024 Annual Enrollment, featuring our interactive Benefits Fairs! From Tuesday, Oct 31, through Friday, November 3, Benefits team members and benefits vendors will be onsite to share our offerings and answer your questions – including those about our new Paid Parental Benefit.

The new inclusive Paid Parental Benefit provides eligible team members time to bond with their new child! Some key details of this benefit include:

  • Up to 4 weeks paid parental time
  • Covers births, adoptions and foster placements
  • Available to eligible full-time and part-time team members with 6 months or more of continuous employment
  • Retroactive coverage for eligible employees with a birth, adoption or placement on or between October 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023.
  • Availability to use up to twelve (12) months immediately following a birth or placement.

Visit the What’s New page at texaschildrensbenefits.org to view the Benefits Fair schedule and to access more details on the Paid Parental benefit.

Join in on 2024 Annual Enrollment, and choose better health for yourself and your family.

QUESTIONS? NEED HELP?
  • CONTACT AN HR TEAM MEMBER ABOUT THE NEW PAID PARENTAL BENEFIT

An HR team member can help you understand all of the important details.

  • ASK EMMA, YOUR PERSONAL DIGITAL BENEFITS ADVISOR

Available 24/7 in both English and Spanish from any desktop or mobile device, Ask Emma offers confidential guidance and advice to help you select the right benefits for you and your family.

  • TEXAS CHILDREN’S BENEFITS TEAM VIRTUAL AND PHONE SUPPORT

Our Benefits team is available to help by phone or web chat from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 4. Spanish language assistance is also available via phone and web chat.

    • Phone 832-824-2421 (select option 1 and then option 1 again for Benefits)
    • Web chat (located at the top of your Benefits homepage)
    • Virtually via Teams for 30-minutes by appointment from November 8 – 10. Click here to reserve your desired time slot
  • DEDICATED ON-SITE SUPPORT

Receive dedicated on-site and support from vendors and Benefits team member during one of the scheduled Benefits Fairs. Click here to access onsite schedules.

August 14, 2023

Enabling our One Amazing Team to show up as their best and most authentic selves allows us to be better in everything we do. Texas Children’s is a premier provider of women’s health care, and we want to deliver that same level of attention and care to the women of our organization through every stage of life.

This week, we are showcasing several distinctive benefits available for women at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women.

Women’s Health Resources for Team Members
  • The Pavilion for Women services include: OB/GYN, The Endometriosis Center, Women’s Physical Therapy, Urogynecology, Women’s Place, Center for Reproductive Psychiatry, Family Fertility Center, Menopause Center, and much more.
    • Family Fertility Center is at the Medical Center campus and The Woodlands
      • Fertility benefit includes 100% coverage for infertility treatments up to $20,000 lifetime (maximum combined medical and pharmacy benefit) for employees and each individual dependent covered under a Texas Children’s medical plan. Coverage may vary depending on Place of Service.
    • Menopause Center: Physicians specialize in treating menopause symptoms, conditions and related health issues including irregular periods, hot flashes, sleeplessness, night sweats, mood changes, depression, overactive bladder and bone loss.
      • The Menopause Matters Discussion Series will resume in the fall of 2023. New classes will be posted under our upcoming educational events.
      • Click here to see Dr. Doghor discuss managing menopause symptoms in the summer and treatments available.
  • Patient Education and Resources:
    • The Growing Your Family Guide provides information and resources helpful to anyone expanding their family. This guide contains items such as an overview of health benefits, breastfeeding and lactation support, adoption assistance, FMLA guidance and the Return-to-Work process.
    • Prenatal and Postpartum Classes (All Classes & Facility Tours) such as childbirth preparation, infant CPR, basic baby care, breastfeeding, and sleep & scheduling offer employee discounts of 20% to 50%.
    • Bella Luna Boutique: All employees receive a 10% discount on select products.
  • Pavilion for Women Radiology imaging services are covered at 100%* for employees and covered dependents enrolled in the Texas Children’s health insurance plan, regardless of the referring physician (upon insurance approval).
    • Services include ultrasounds, bone density (DEXA), interventional radiology (biopsies, vascular procedures) and more.
    • *Professional services, including the provider visit and reading of the image, are subject to your plan deductible and coinsurance.
July 24, 2023

Factors beyond your physical well-being can influence your health. Texas Children’s understands the importance of providing team members with comprehensive benefits that include non-medical services.

In this week’s feature of our Summer Benefits Series, we are proud to highlight the identity theft protection program, which is a voluntary plan option available for benefit eligible employees. Through our partnership with Allstate, you can protect your identity and finances in a variety of ways. Login to our Benefits Portal, and explore available options that will help secure your financial future.

Allstate Identity Theft Protection Program

Protect yourself and protect your family from threats against your personal data.

  • Feel secure with enhanced coverage offerings
    • Financial account and credit monitoring with Allstate Identity Protection Pro+
    • 24/7 real time alerts
    • Up to $2 million identity theft expense coverage
    • Social media monitoring
    • Personalized threat insights to assist you with the latest trends in scams and frauds
  • Receive reimbursements on certain out of pocket costs, with additional coverage for the following
    • Home title fraud expense reimbursement up to $1 million*
    • Professional fraud expense reimbursement up to $2 million*
    • Stolen wallet emergency cash up to $50
  • Enjoy special features
    • Learn about the Allstate Digital Footprint feature, so you can manage and control your personal data
    • Check your Identity Health Status to get insight on your risk potential

*Identity theft insurance covering expense and stolen funds reimbursement is underwritten by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida, an Assurant company. Enrolled employees should refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage.

 

July 17, 2023

Texas Children’s believes the health and wellbeing of team members and your families is as important as the excellent care you provide to our patients every day. Clear access to world-class benefits is our goal and our commitment to you. Over the next few weeks, we will highlight some of the special benefits that make Texas Children’s unique. We begin with encouragement around your mental and emotional health.

Mental Health Resources for Team Members

These valuable MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES can improve the quality of your life and support the people you love.

  • Log on to the Happify website or download the HappifyTM app to reduce stress and amplify optimism.
    • Happify offers team members science-based activities and games that diminish anxiety, increase mindfulness and improve emotional well-being.
  • The Women’s Place – Center for Reproductive Psychiatry provides team members and dependents help with managing mental health issues related to a woman’s reproductive cycle.
    • Baylor Medicine psychiatrists and psychologists offer expert evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of women’s mental health conditions, including premenstrual dysphoric disorder, postpartum depression, attachment difficulties between mother and baby, and a host of diagnosis affecting female reproductive mental health.
  • Visit the Spiritual Well-Being site where you can explore ways to nurture your sense of purpose at work. Our Workforce Chaplains provide emotional support to team members through
    • grief and crisis care,
    • well-being webinars and
    • confidential counseling.
    • The Stress Management Brochure can help you understand causes and effects of stress, as well as strategies you can employ to manage stress.
  • We work with local exercise studios to offer team members free onsite fitness classes that help reduce anxiety and build resilience.
    • Visit the Connect Calendar to sign up for yoga, strengthening and conditioning and more.
April 18, 2023

When her husband was unable to work due to medical treatments, Texas Children’s team member, Lisa Scott, was uncertain how her family would manage without his income. She turned to a resource she learned about from her co-workers: the Employee Financial Assistance Fund (EFAF).

Established and managed by the Human Resources – Employee Assistance Program, the EFAF provides financial help to eligible employees experiencing unexpected, unforeseen, or unavoidable emergencies. In a true example of what it means to live compassionately at Texas Children’s, the fund is maintained through generous donations from our employees – colleagues supporting colleagues in their time of greatest need.

While working with the EAP, Lisa learned of a new partnership between EAP and Fidelity to provide one-on-one financial counseling for employees. Participants meet with Fidelity Workplace Financial Consultants for 4-6 sessions and review their finances while working together to create a budget, pay off bills or debt, understand their credit score, and start an emergency fund.

Lisa enjoyed the program and would recommend it to others saying, “I had to create a budget, and it was certainly eye-opening to see what comes in and what needs to go out. Once you put everything down on paper, it becomes more real.” Talking through her finances with her counselor, Danielle, she felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. Lisa said, “After working on the exercises she gave me, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Danielle was supportive and did not make me feel like a failure.”

Fidelity is readily available to assist with any of your financial needs. To help you through your financial journey, we encourage you to schedule a free one-on-one financial consultation session with Fidelity.

For more information on applying for the Employee Financial Assistance Fund, please visit the EFAF page on the Sharepoint site. Additionally, if you are in a financial position to donate even one dollar to the Employee Financial Assistance Fund, all donations are greatly appreciated.

April 5, 2023

The Benefits Team, in partnership with Fidelity and the Texas Children’s Workforce Well-Being Team, will provide education and events to showcase ways to firm up your financial foundation.

Take ownership of your finances while participating in our Money Tree Challenge. From webinars to convenient eLearning opportunities to budget app suggestions, this challenge encourages you to expand your financial literacy to grow your metaphorical money tree big and tall! Complete any of the activities on the leaves to be entered into a drawing for a Grand Prize Gift Bag, one entry per leaf completed. Do 5 of the 8 leaves on the tree to win an additional prize!

Mark your calendar for the Fidelity-hosted webinars below and find more information on the Well-Being in Action Sharepoint site:

April 6 at 12 p.m.: How to Make the Most of Your Retirement Savings
April 13 at 1 p.m.: Resetting Your Financial Foundation
April 26 at 11:30 a.m.: Five Money Musts
April 28: Submit your completed Money Tree to Wellbeing@texaschildrens.org to earn a prize, and submission into a drawing for a gift bag.