Frequently Asked Questions

While HHS works through the final steps of contracting, additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

The transition schedule of your individual hospital is still under development, however, here are a few of the next steps in the process:

• HHS will hold an associate town hall meeting approximately 30 days prior to the start of your hospital’s transition.

• During this meeting, HHS will cover key topics and details such as compensation, health and benefits overview, and the schedule of events.

• Associate onboarding will begin 1-2 weeks prior to the transition.

• HHS will have representatives onsite who will make this process simple and easy to understand.

• At the start of the transition, you will continue to operate how you are today - with the same roles, responsibilities, and work schedules.

•This will minimize the impact of the transition on you as well as hospital operations. During this time, HHS will also get to know you better, gain an understanding of how you like your current role, and begin training on HHS systems and processes.

•HHS may begin making small changes based on its best practices, systems, and process. However, any changes HHS may implement would be gradual.

Yes, your position will remain the same during the transition. HHS values your contributions to Bon Secours Mercy Health and the skills you bring to our team. There may be opportunities to change positions in the future.

Your base compensation will remain the same, and any scheduled increases through the transition will still be provided. While this new partnership is being finalized, HHS is not able to communicate specifics on compensation. This information will be discussed in detail at the individual level prior to the date of transition.

You will continue to be paid every two (2) weeks on Fridays.

Pay periods are two weeks, beginning on a Sunday and ending on a Saturday. You will be paid the Friday following the close of the payroll period. We can share the specific pay schedule once we begin our transition.

HHS offers medical, dental, and vision health plans. During the onboarding process, prior to your first day with HHS, you will be guided through the enrollment process, and we do not anticipate any lapse in coverage.

Yes, your schedule will remain the same during the transition. Following the transition, after HHS completes the operational review and implementation, there could be schedule changes in your department.

HHS will seek your feedback and maintain an open dialogue, and ultimately, do our best not to change your schedule if possible. As with all change, HHS is committed to providing clear and consistent communication and will do our best to ensure minimal disruption.

The current plan is for your uniform to remain the same as it is today. We do not anticipate any changes in this but will communicate any changes if applicable.

During the onboarding process, prior to your first day with HHS, you can sign up for either direct deposit or a Rapid Pay Card. We will share more details during the associate Town Hall meeting prior to the transition.

HHS will cover additional information during our pre-transition meeting about 30 days prior to the transition. Detailed individual conversations about compensation will occur in the weeks following initial associate town hall meetings and prior to the date of transition. During and post-transition, your supervisor is available to assist in any pay-related matters and communicate with the HHS associate support center.

Yes, your hire date with BSMH will be honored by HHS.

HHS offers paid time off (PTO) for associates. HHS will honor your tenure/hire date with the facility in regard to the waiting period to be eligible to use accrued time off.

Vacations that have already been approved will be honored.

Full-time and part-time associates are eligible for up to eight (8) hours of holiday pay for the following recognized holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and one floating holiday.

Full-time and part-time associates who work on a holiday date will receive up to eight hours of holiday pay in addition to the hours worked - which equates to double time.

There will be no immediate changes to shifts. Following the transition, after HHS completes the operational review and implementation, there could be schedule changes in your department.

HHS will seek your feedback and maintain an open dialogue, and ultimately, do our best not to change your schedule if at all possible. As with all change, HHS is committed to providing clear and consistent communication and will do our best to ensure minimal disruption.

In general, yes. HHS leadership will be responsible for overall operations and will work with site and market leaders.

Full-time associate status with HHS requires an average of at least 32 hours per week. However, all current full-time BSMH associates will be grandfathered in at their current status (e.g., will be considered full-time if they work an average of 30 hours per week as required today with BSMH.)

Moving forward, any current part-time BSMH associate who transitions to HHS must meet the 32 hours per week to be considered full-time.

If you have a background check or drug screen on file with BSMH, it will be provided to HHS, and you will not be required to receive new ones.

You may be asked to complete these with HHS if you do not have a background check or drug screen on file with BSMH. Associates employed with other vendors who are transitioning to HHS will be required to have a new background and drug screen check performed within 30 days of onboarding.

HHS is working to ensure access to payroll deduct is available in the cafeteria; however, there may be a delay in the setup in the availability of this function. Items in the gift shop and other hospital areas will not be available after the transition.

Your coverage will end on the last day of the month in which you terminate employment with BSMH. You will then have 90 days to make any claims to Chard Snyder on services that occurred prior to your coverage end date. Contact Chard Snyder at 888-438-6030 with questions.

HHS offers full benefits, including medical, dental, vision, PTO, short-term disability and life, critical illness, telemedicine, higher education opportunities, and access to the HHS CareFUND. Specific details will be provided as they are finalized.

Major medical benefits are available to associates working 30 hours or more. The major medical plan will be effective following enrollment the first of the month. Example: Your start date is 5/7/2023. Your current BSMH plans will be in effect through 5/31/2023. If you elect coverage by the end of the month, your HHS coverage will start 6/1/2023, and there would be no lapse in coverage.

Please note that you may have a short gap in coverage if you do not elect before the end of the month. You can minimize this gap in coverage by signing up for new benefits with HHS quickly. If you have a gap in coverage, please contact the HHS benefits team at questions@hhs1.com.

Any other benefits elected will be effective the first pay period after elections are made.

In addition, any amounts you have paid toward your 2023 BSMH medical plan’s deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums will be applied to satisfy these requirements in the new employer’s plan. Any exclusions or limitations for pre-existing conditions or waiting periods will be waived for associates and their dependents.

Yes, Bon Secours Mercy Health providers are in-network for HHS benefit plans. Full plan details, including the ability to find a provider, will be provided in the HHS Benefits Guide.

Full plan details, including the ability to find a provider, will be provided in the HHS Benefits Guide. The Benefits Guide will be provided approximately two weeks after the town hall meeting that begins the transition process.

HHS is committed to ensuring all associates have a robust career development path. Our on-site leaders will work with you to understand your professional goals and desires and identify higher education opportunities to support this path.

While HHS associates would be considered an external applicant, BSMH will continue to support your continued growth and welcome you to pursue any opportunities within the ministry.

If you are currently enrolled in degree/credentialing opportunities with Guild, you will be able to complete your current semester. After that, you can enroll in one of the many educational degree programs offered by HHS. These include Southwest University, Rouxbe Online Culinary School, and the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. HHS will cover these during the associate town halls and the pre-transition period.

The Called to Shine program will remain in place after the transition, however, all points you currently have must be redeemed prior to your transition to HHS. Associates will still be recognized in this program and HHS will implement its Associate Incentive Programs after the transition.

Associates on active leave when their site transitions will remain on BSMH employment until they return from leave. Their roles will be held for a 12-month period post-transition.

Associates will transfer to HHS policies and practices on their transition date.

These policies and practices will be outlined in the HHS Associate Handbooks that will be distributed during your onboarding process.

HHS provides a discretionary match for hourly and management personnel. HHS matches 50% of deferrals up to 7% of qualified wages. Match is done annually in March of each year for the prior year deferrals.

To enroll, associates must be employed for 30 days, and there is a 6-month waiting period to be eligible for match.

At HHS, employees can enroll in a Flexible Spending Account through the management benefits program. While Health Reimbursement Arrangements are not currently offered, employees with existing FSA funds through BSMH can use those before the transition. Please note that there is a transition period that will apply for using current FSA funds but for further information about this and your current plan,

don’t hesitate to get in touch with BSMH’s Associate Services Center at 877-692-7780.

HHS believes in recognizing our associates for their hard work and dedication. We offer a comprehensive range of recognition programs, designed to honor tenure, celebrate service excellence, promote teamwork, highlight our HHS values, recognize personal achievements, and acknowledge special occasions like holidays and birthdays.

Additionally, we have specific weeks dedicated to showcasing our different service lines, such as Housekeeping Week. To further incentivize safety compliance, we also offer a safety incentive program that recognizes teams for their efforts in adhering to our safety standards.

While there will not be a shift differential, your base wage rate will be adjusted to offset the shift differential loss. Information will be gathered regarding your shift differential and schedule, and your blended wage rate will be calculated the week following transition. Any questions regarding your pay can be discussed before your transition and during one-on-one onboarding meetings.

While HHS does not currently offer student loan forgiveness, we do offer affordable continuing education degree programs through Southwest University, Rouxbe Online Culinary School, and Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.

Please see the materials provided for additional details, FAQs, and information about our organization. Additionally, we have created a website as a reference tool for information about this transition and our organization.