Priority Health Members- free virtual mental health help available

May 4, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

Fear and anxiety related to COVID-19 are normal. We want to remain a supportive partner by offering you real solutions to help you cope during this time.

Virtual mental wellness resource

We encourage you to try this free virtual mental wellness tool now available to all members. myStrength offers easy activities to help you manage stress and social isolation. You can learn relationship and parenting tips, and much more.

Topics focus specifically on the emotional effects of the COVID-19 crisis:

  • Inner calm in turbulent times
  • Parenting in challenging times
  • Staying connected while social distancing
  • And more

A few important things to know:

  • It’s free to Priority Health members (13 and older) until June 30, 2020.
  • Signing up is simple. Just answer a few questions.

Immediate support is available

If you or a loved one need immediate support for severe emotional distress, contact our behavioral health team. Confidential help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 800.673.8043. Or, log in to your online member account.

Coverage options and other helpful resources

For the latest information on COVID-19, see our updated COVID-19 resources and information page for answers to your questions about testing, treatment, coverage options and more. Also included:

  • Virtual care as a first step if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Our online member FAQs, for the latest on prescription delivery, coverage details and more.

Goal Setting in Alignment With 4R’s

Apr 27, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

Dear all,

Thank you for all of the hard work you have done during our initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of you, we have been able to reduce the spread of the virus, limit the disruption to learning and keep the business of the college going during this unprecedented time. While we are moving out of the immediate response phase, we recognize that there is still a lot of uncertainty as we look toward the future. Keeping in the spirit of the “4R’s” as articulated by President Nissley in his email here, this email sets out a short-term goal plan that sandwiches into our ‘normal’ performance management processes, and is intended to help focus and align the college in this period of rapid change to meet the need for quick, thoughtful action. Keeping goals simple and aligned, flexible and in constant view/discussion is critical during this period in which we can scarcely see how events will unfold beyond the end of the week, let alone through a semester or even a year. Given that, we are implementing a new and temporary approach to goal-setting as follows: (more…)

Kudos

Apr 24, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude”  increases positivity for yourself and for others. During our “Stay Home, Stay Safe” directive, please encourage your colleagues by submitting a KUDOS. Let them know you appreciate their hard work and are thinking of them!

Priority Health- Important Message

Apr 16, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

The following message is from Priority Health:

As Michigan continues to be impacted by this unpredictable illness, we want to remain a supportive partner by sharing important health care coverage updates.

Important COVID-19 coverage news

Your health plan will now fully cover your treatment of COVID-19 in addition to screening and testing.

  • Your plan already covers screening, whether in-person or virtual, at $0 if your doctor orders a COVID-19 test.
  • If a doctor orders testing based upon your screening results, the test will also be administered at no cost to you.
  • In the unfortunate event that you or a loved one on your health plan is diagnosed with this illness, your treatment of COVID-19 will be fully covered at 100%. We will waive all copays, deductibles and coinsurance for inpatient and outpatient COVID-19 treatment from an in-network provider through June 30.

Remember, COVID-19 is extremely contagious, so please use virtual care as a first step if you are experiencing symptoms. Contact your primary care provider to ask about virtual care options or log in to your Priority Health member account for virtual care.

For a limited time get your prescriptions safely with free in-home delivery from Meijer, Walgreens and CVS

Our online member FAQs have the latest on prescription delivery, coverage details and more – all in one place.

Coverage options and other helpful resources

During these uncertain times, it’s more important than ever that you have coverage for health care. Whether you’ve lost your job, your employment status has changed, or you want to see if you qualify for financial assistance, you have options.

Important Message to Staff, Student and Supplemental Employees Regarding Your Pay (1 of 2)

Mar 27, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

To all staff employees, supplemental employees, and student employees,

Through April 13, the college will continue to pay you for your regular or scheduled hours, whether or not you are working.

Last week President Nissley informed you the college would be “closed for all but essential functions” through the end of March. Since then, Governor Whitmer has issued an executive order requiring that all but essential employees “Stay Home, Stay Safe” until April 13 to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As President Nissley shared with you recently, the college is working to be resourceful, flexible, creative, and compassionate during this time of great challenge. This includes choosing to extend the period you will be paid during this initial pandemic response and seeking additional resources. 

IMPORTANT:  Please watch for an upcoming message today with directions on HOW to record your time during this period.

We will be back in touch with you soon about plans starting April 14.

Please check our information hub for regular updates and FAQs: NMC.EDU/CORONAVIRUS

Please continue to watch your email for further notifications. Your questions are welcomed and should be addressed either to your direct supervisor or to the HR team.

Thank you,
Mark

Mark Liebling
AVP of Human Resources
1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 995-1342

Important Message to Staff, Student and Supplemental Employees Regarding Your Pay (2 of 2)

Mar 27, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

To all staff employees, student employees and supplemental employees,

This is a follow-up message to help you understand how to record your time from April 1- April 13.

Effective April 1, all staff (including salaried), student and supplemental employees will be asked to record their scheduled, non-working time in ADP using the ‘COVID-19’ leave code (hourly employees were first asked to do this on March 18).

This is important because;

  • this COVID-19 designated time will count toward the provision in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) that provides all employees with two weeks additional leave for COVID-19 related absences, and 
  • also through the FFCRA, there may be important tax credits available to the college for costs associated with employee pay during this period. While this will not impact the employee’s pay, it may help the college receive reimbursement for pandemic-related costs.

All Hourly Employees

  • Please continue to use the COVID-19 Pay Code to categorize scheduled time you were unable to work due to the closure on your timecard. This might include sick time, reduced availability due to school or daycare closures, home technology constraints, lack of work that can be performed remotely, etc. All such hours will be paid as scheduled.
  • Please code time actually worked (including telecommute) as normal.

All Salaried Staff Employees 

  • Beginning April 1, please follow the usual time off request process but use the “COVID-19” leave designation for any time unable to work due to the closure. This might include sick time, reduced availability due to school or daycare closures, home technology constraints, lack of work that can be performed remotely, etc. (A step-by-step visual guide of the ADP time off request process is attached for reference.)
    • For example, if during your work day you reply to work emails for two hours, attend two hours of zoom meetings and spend 4 hours caring for your children who are home because of closed school, please use the COVID-19 code in ADP to record those 4 childcare hours. 
    • Another example, if your job at the college is primarily done in person, e.g. answering calls, and you cannot do that work from home, please use the COVID-19 code in ADP to record your scheduled hours. 
  • Employees who continue to work full schedules from home without limitation do not need to take any action.
  • Using the COVID-19 code for time off will not affect your pay or reduce your vacation or sick balances.

Supervisors can perform the functions above on behalf of their employees, if needed. If you have any questions or problems please contact payroll@nmc.edu.

Thank you and have a safe and quiet weekend,

Mark

Mark Liebling
AVP of Human Resources
1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 995-1342

Requesting Time Off in ADP

Virtual Online Visits through Priority Health – Please Review

Mar 26, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

Please read the following information regarding access to free screening for COVID-19, and virtual visit followup.

Priority Health recommends beginning your health screening with a free virtual screening through a phone call to (616) 391-2380 (Spectrum Health).  Once you have discussed your symptoms and situation, it will be determined if you should be referred to a Virtual Visit Online.

  • Who should call? Any one can call the screening hotline at (616) 391-2380 completely free.
  • When should you call?  Priority Health says- Fever-Cough-Breathing Difficulty.
  • Who is covered for a Virtual Visit Online? Those employees who have NMC’s Priority Health coverage.
  • What will the cost be for the Virtual Visit Online?  The Virtual Visit Online will be covered at 100% for both the Core and High Deductible plans.  You will have no out of pocket costs for this service during the response to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Why should I use this process to access primary care visits?  The CDC, along with the health care system, are asking those who may need care due to possible coronavirus issues to follow these steps so you are not risking yourself or others to covid-19 exposure.
  • How do I access the Virtual Online Visits? https://employees.nmc.edu/depts/human-resources/total-compensation/priority-virutal-visits.pdf

Please direct any questions to Hollie DeWalt at (231) 995-1350 or hdewalt@nmc.edu.

Priority Health – Accessing Online Visits and COVID-19 Preparations

Mar 19, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

Accessing Online (virtual) Visits

 Log into your Priority Health Account > Go To My Health Care on the top ribbon > Video Visit with a doctor

COVID-19 Preparations

If you need to prepare for extra medication (beyond a 30 day refill) please contact Priority Health to see how they can assist- 800-956-1954.

See Priority Health’s COVID-19 public information page HERE.