Through our Tomorrow, Together initiative, you shared how important it is for us to support the health and wellbeing of every Texas Children’s team member. That’s why for this year’s Benefits Annual Enrollment, we are keeping your rates low, investing in new offerings and giving you multiple options to create a benefits plan that is right for you and your family.
Beginning today, Friday, Oct. 29, and continuing through midnight Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, all Texas Children’s employees will be able to participate in our 2022 Benefits Annual Enrollment. To start planning, visit TexasChildrensBenefits.org to review your benefit options for next year and select your benefit plans. In addition to paying for the majority of your medical benefits, Texas Children’s is also investing in:
- No rate increases for Vision, Optional Life, and AD&D
- No rate increases for Short-Term or Long-Term Disability Insurance
- New identity theft protection coverage option through Allstate
- No evidence of insurability required for Short-Term Disability insurance and Optional Life (if elected during Benefits Annual Enrollment)
Virtual Benefits Presentation
Join us for a virtual benefits presentation at 11 a.m., today, Friday, Oct. 29, for an overview of this year’s benefits changes and learn how to make the best elections for you. To attend, simply download the meeting link to your calendar or follow this link on the day of the presentation.
Things to Remember
- Select Dollars. As always, Texas Children’s contributes the majority of the costs associated with our medical plans and also provides all full-time and part-time employees with additional money on a bi-weekly basis (referred to as Select Dollars) to help offset the cost of any benefit premiums, regardless of whether you are enrolled in Texas Children’s medical benefits.
- FSAs. If you do not make any elections during Benefits Annual Enrollment, you will be enrolled based on last year’s elections, with the exception of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). To participate in either the Healthcare or Dependent Care FSA in 2022, which Texas Children’s automatically contributes $260, you must make an election during Benefits Annual Enrollment.
- Enrollment. Benefit changes after Annual Enrollment are not permitted under federal regulations, except for qualified life events and certain job status changes. Otherwise, the next opportunity for you to change your benefit elections is the 2023 Benefits Annual Enrollment period.
- 403(b) Retirement. Texas Children’s matches 50 percent on the first 6 percent of your deferral contributions per pay period, up to a maximum of $8,700 for 2021. If you are not already enrolled in the 403(b) savings plan or not contributing at least 6 percent, you should consider doing so now. To enroll or update your contribution, please visit Fidelity NetBenefits or call 1-800-343-0860 to access your online account. If you are registering online for the first time, please click on “Register as a new user” in the log-in area. To view information on Texas Children’s contributions and vesting, please click here.
- Roth. Remember that you can contribute pre-tax or Roth after-tax through the 403(b) savings plan. Your contributions to a Roth 403(b) and traditional pre-tax 403(b) cannot exceed the IRS limit.
- Pension Plan. The Pension Plan is designed to provide a foundation for your retirement and is fully funded by Texas Children’s. You are automatically enrolled in the plan on April 1 or Oct. 1 once you reach 21 years of age and have worked 1,000 hours or more during the 12 consecutive months after your initial date of hire. To access your account, please visit LifeWorks or call 1-800-752-8230. To view information on Texas Children’s contributions and vesting, please click here.
Question? Need help?
Ask Emma, Your Personal Digital Benefits Advisor
Available 24/7 in both English and Spanish from any desktop or mobile device, Ask Emma will offer confidential guidance and advice to help you select the right benefits for you and your family.
Texas Children’s Benefits Service Center
Our Benefits team is available to help from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday – Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 30 and Nov. 6.
- To reach the team by phone, call 832-824-2421 (select option 1 for Benefits and then option 1 again). Spanish language assistance is also available.
- To reach the team via web chat, follow the link at the top of your Benefits homepage.
You can access all of your benefits in one place, make your 2022 benefit selections or learn more about this year’s Annual Enrollment, including a schedule of events to promote our benefit offerings. Visit the 2022 What’s New page at TexasChildrensBenefits.org
You’ve worked hard all year to further our mission and provide the best care for our patients. Now, it’s time for us to plan your Tomorrow, Together. Review your benefit options today.