Will I still have a job?

Yes. All staff will have a job with the new company.

When this joint venture happens, who will my employer be?

On the date of transition, you will be employed by the new company, a non-profit provider of hospice and palliative care services in a 12-county service area. All employment policies and benefits will be aligned with Carolina Caring.

When does my employment transition?

This transition is contingent upon the establishment of a non-profit company and regulatory approvals. This will occur in Fall 2024, and you will be notified when a firm date is known.

Who will I report to?

Carolina Caring leadership will direct the operations for the new company once the transition takes place. Prior to the transition, there are no planned changes in current departmental leadership nor employee-level reporting.

To ensure this employment transition is a smooth one for all employees, CaroMont will continue the management agreement with Carolina Caring. Pam Markland, Vice President of Hospice and Palliative Care, will replace Scott Lofland as the Interim Administrator for Gaston Hospice operations now and through the transition. Pam will partner with the current leaders and staff to integrate processes, practices and the delivery of care.

Will I still have the same teammates?

Yes. The plan is that all Gaston Hospice team members transition to the new company. In addition, you will meet and work with new teammates from Carolina Caring.

Will I have to relocate?

No. The plan is to continue serving the patients of Gaston County and the surrounding area. However, some team members may choose to change teams after the transition or work in a different office, if a position opens up.

Do I keep my years of service with CaroMont Health?

Yes.  Your tenure with CaroMont Health will transfer to the new company and will continue to be reflected in your service awards, Paid Time Off (PTO) accruals, and retirement.

Do I have to apply for a job with the new company?

No. Your employment will transition without the need for you to apply for a position.

When will I receive a formal job offer from the new company?

You will receive a formal employment transition letter outlining your pay rate and position soon after the new company has been established.

What are the pre-employment requirements that must be met in order to work for the new company?

You will be asked to participate in an abbreviated pre-employment process including new hire paperwork, a drug screen and background check before the transition of employment.  In addition, you will participate in an orientation to learn more about the new organization’s policies, practices and Culture of Caring. 

What happens to my compensation?

Your current base pay rate will be honored as you move to the new company. It is important that all employees experience a smooth transition to the new company by keeping your base pay rate the same. If your role involves shift differential or weekend option pay, you will see changes. Shift differential amounts are different and weekend option pay is not offered with the new company.  However, you may be wondering how your compensation will grow in the future.  Moving forward with the new company, your pay may grow in several ways:

• merit awards assessed during your annual performance review

• periodic market adjustments to remain competitive, and/or

• advancement or promotion within the organization

  Other compensation practices are still being evaluated, such as weekend option pay and on-call pay, to identify any other changes you may experience.

Will my insurance benefits change?

Overall, the insurance benefit offerings are comparable. For example, you will continue to have two health plans to choose from, similar life and disability coverage, and access to dental/vision. With any transition you may see new insurance companies and some changes to benefit levels or premiums. To ensure you have a comprehensive look at how each benefit plan compares, there is a side-by-side benefits comparison of each insurance benefit so you can review coverage, out-of-pocket expenses, and premiums.

Please see the Benefits Side-by-Side Comparison for specific changes you can anticipate.

What happens to my current PTO balance?

You will not lose your accrued PTO balance (as of the date of transition).

A plan is being developed to allow you to transfer a portion of your PTO to the new company so you will continue to have a balance for vacations, holidays and sickness. If your balance of PTO is more than the allowable transfer amount, CaroMont Health will pay any remaining balance at your current hourly rate.

 What will my PTO benefit look like under the new company? 

You will start accruing PTO hours with your first paycheck.

What remains the same:

• Your service date with CaroMont Health will determine your PTO accrual.

• You will accrue PTO based on your actual hours worked along with any PTO hours taken.

• You will have the ability to use PTO for vacation, holiday, and sickness.

• CaroMont Health and Carolina Caring’s respective PTO accruals are very similar. Refer to the Benefits Side-by-Side Comparison to determine how much PTO you will receive.

What may change:

• You are encouraged to use PTO throughout the year and can only rollover 80 hours (full-time) or 64 hours (part-time) of PTO into the next calendar year.

• Unused PTO (after rollover) will be deposited into a Special Purpose Bank.  This bank can be used for sick time, maternity, paternity, adoption, jury duty and extended bereavement leaves when your PTO bank has been exhausted.

• You may cash-out PTO hours twice per year (April and September) at a reduced rate of 50%, provided you elect this cash-out by the end of the previous calendar year in accordance with federal guidelines.

• If you terminate employment or transfer to PRN, your PTO balance will be paid out at 75%.  PRN employees and part-time employees working less than 30 hours per week will not accrue PTO. 

Will I still be able to donate my PTO to a CaroMont Health employee?

No. Once you transition employment from CaroMont Health to the new company, you will no longer be able to donate PTO to a CaroMont Health employee. The option to donate PTO to employees in the new company may be available after you transition employment.

If I was eligible for a retention bonus with CaroMont Health, will I still receive it?

You will be eligible to receive any retention bonus up to the time of transition to the new company in accordance with the terms and conditions established by CaroMont Health.

Can I leave my 403(b) retirement savings where it is?

Yes.  You will have the ability to:

1. choose whether you rollover your 403(b) retirement savings to the new company 403(b) plan with The Principal or  

2. leave it in the CaroMont Health 403(b) plan with Lincoln Financial Group.

The choice is yours.

Will I have to wait for benefits?

No. You can enroll in benefits before the transition.  Your insurance benefits (such as health, dental, vision, life and disability) will begin day one of your employment with the new company.

Will I lose or gain any insurance benefits with this transition?

Core Benefits = health, retirement, life, disability and dental & vision coverage.

Voluntary Benefits= Insurance that covers accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, supplemental life & disability insurance, and cancer coverage.

Core Benefits offerings are similar in that both CaroMont and the new company offer two health plan choices, 403(b) retirement plans, paid life and disability benefits, and dental/vision coverage. Below are some highlighted changes: 

• Health Insurance. Depending on the health plan you elect your out-of-pocket expenses may go down and premiums may increase slightly.   

• HRA and FSA plans will go away and be replaced by a Health Savings Account (HSA) 

• Retirement plan will offer you a new Roth investment option. 

• Life & Disability will expand coverage to Part-time Eligible for Benefits employees (currently >30 hr/week) and disability will offer a much shorter wait time for benefits to begin.

• Dental coverage will offer enhanced coverage with lower individual premium but increased dependent premium. 

• Vision coverage will offer one plan option with slightly lower eyewear allowance and lower premiums. 

Voluntary Benefits include very similar plans with different insurance carriers. Coverage and premiums may vary, but you will have a chance to evaluate these changes before transitioning. Many of the CaroMont insurance plans are portable, so if you want to keep the specific coverage you have now you can set up direct billing to maintain your policy. Below are some highlighted changes:

• Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Accident insurance will all be offered under a different carrier.

• Whole Life/Long Term Care policy will not be offered, but other supplemental life products will be available for your consideration.

• Cancer insurance will be a new benefit offering.

What happens to my Short Time Income (STI) with CaroMont Health?

Short Time Income is not a benefit you receive when transitioning employment. Therefore, any STI balance you have with CaroMont Health will not transfer to your new employer.

The new company will allow you to build a Special Purpose Bank of hours year-over-year to utilize for unexpected absences not covered by PTO such as extended bereavement, adoption leave, maternity/paternity leave, jury duty, and sick time for you and family members. Although your STI balances will not transfer, moving forward this new Special Purpose Bank will offer you expanded paid time off for special needs that may not have been covered in the past.

In addition, full-time and part-time benefit-eligible employees will receive Short-Term Disability coverage with a shorter waiting period for benefits to start.

Will my schedule remain the same?

There are no immediate plans to alter your work schedule. However, the patient care model of Carolina Caring will help determine if adjustments will be needed in the future. At this stage of integration, it appears that schedules are working to meet patient care needs.

Will our culture change?

Carolina Caring is committed to a Culture of Caring, which focuses on the unique nature of hospice and palliative care.  These principles guide care and treatment of patients and families, the community, and each other. Carolina Caring has a history of cultivating a high level of employee engagement and has been recognized for five years in a row as one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare.

What advantages will this change offer?

This alignment with Carolina Caring will improve the strength of hospice services to the communities served. You can be a part of a focused team of professionals that specialize in hospice and palliative care delivery. Their reputation is strong, and they know how to take great care of not only their patients but also their employees. This transition allows you to be a part of a larger team of healthcare professionals that are passionate about serving this patient population long into the future. 

What if I wish to remain employed with CaroMont Health?

If you do not wish to transition to the new company, you can certainly explore open positions within CaroMont Health before the transition date. However, the hope is that you will allow Carolina Caring to show you the benefits of working for a company focused solely on hospice and palliative care. It is recognized that change is difficult, but the new company’s mission is all about having a heart for hospice and palliative care, and the hope is that you will want to be part of this incredible team.

What if I am on a leave of absence at the time of this transition?

If you are utilizing a protected leave of absence (such as Family/Medical Leave) at the time of the transition, your position will be held vacant so you may return to work under the new company.

Will there be a probationary period for me with this new employment?

No.  Your tenure will transition to the new company, and you will be treated as an existing employee from day one. There will not be a probationary period for any Gaston Hospice staff.

How is travel reimbursed?

Employees who use personal vehicles for required work travel will be reimbursed at an approved rate per mile established by Carolina Caring. Mileage reimbursement is contingent on precise tracking and timely submission of miles, as well as maintenance of automobile liability coverage (verified annually during your birthday month). Carolina Caring’s current mileage reimbursement rate is $0.53 per mile and it is re-evaluated quarterly.

How will call pay compensation transition?  

It is still being evaluated how call pay practices compare.  When there is more information about possible changes to call responsibilities and pay, you will be updated.

Why weren’t we told about the joint venture before now?

Staff were notified as soon as it was possible to do so. It was important to CaroMont Health and Carolina Caring that several months’ notice of this transition were given. Since the industry is highly regulated, certain steps had to be taken before sharing any information. Please note that this information is not public information and will not be shared until the transition is complete.

How will our patients receive this information?

When the transition is complete, we will communicate directly to patients, community and business partners. A public announcement is not being made about this change until more details are confirmed. However, since this partnership decision affects the staff, it was important to be transparent with staff as soon as possible.

What do I say to a patient that expresses concerns about this change?

Each Gaston Hospice staff member will receive a “conversation card” that can be used in responding to patient questions.  It is OK for you to say, “I don’t know the answer to your question, but I will inquire and get back to you.” Then ask Pam Markland about any question you are not comfortable answering.

When will we meet the other staff at Carolina Caring?

Over the coming months, Carolina Caring will be communicating opportunities to introduce Gaston Hospice to leaders, fellow staff members, and the overall activities that celebrate the work we do as a hospice provider.

How will I learn about Carolina Caring & this new company?

Carolina Caring will conduct a special orientation for all Gaston Hospice staff before the official transition of employment occurs. You will receive information about the Culture of Caring, policies, expectations, and benefits of working with Carolina Caring.

Will we stop providing any services because of this change?

There are no plans to decrease or stop patient care services. On the contrary, the hope is to continue to grow hospice services for the communities we serve.

How long will the integration take?

The integration process will begin in late April with an exploration phase to understand current operations, job roles, and processes already in place. Several weeks prior to the employment transition date, we will begin formal onboarding to set you up as a new employee to include orientation and benefit enrollment. After the transition date, continued support around the integration efforts will be provided to ensure a successful combination of resources from Gaston Hospice and Carolina Caring to enhance what we can achieve together.

Who should we contact if we have questions?

Carolina Caring is establishing a dedicated webpage for you to access up-to-date information from now through the employment transition. This webpage will provide information for you to stay informed about the upcoming changes.  The following will be provide:

• Updated reports on news affecting this transition

• Frequently Asked Questions

• Detailed comparison of your current and future benefits

• Opportunities for you to learn more about Carolina Caring

• Email address to submit any questions or concerns

Will Carolina Caring provide opportunities for monetary reimbursement for Nursing Hospice Certification, continued renewal of certification, and continued educational opportunities?

We strongly encourage employees to consider pursuing certifications to validate their expertise, such as Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN), and then to continue the recertification process to keep it current.  In support and recognition of our employees who pursue Hospice and Palliative certifications, Carolina Caring reimburses the cost of certification and renewals. Additionally, upon original certification, Carolina Caring awards employees 50 points on Awardco, a recognition and reward platform. The points equate to $50 that can be spent on Awardco to purchase Carolina Caring branded items, e gift card, hotels, tickets, and/or Amazon products. At Carolina Caring, continuing education can be requested and approved through your manager.

How many hours do I have to work to be eligible for benefits?

Carolina Caring benefits eligible starts at 36 hours for full-time and 30 hours for part-time employees.  We will be sure to communicate if this changes.

Do I have to use Paid Time Off (PTO) for holidays?  Is the office closed?

Yes, you need to budget enough PTO hours to cover any holidays you choose to take off.  In prior years Carolina Caring closed its offices on Thanksgiving Day, at 3 PM Christmas Eve, and on Christmas Day. We intend to implement a consistent protocol for all offices after the partnership is formalized later this year.  Although the offices may be closed, we understand that essential employees working on-call and in the Hospice House must continue to provide care for our patients.  Therefore, we have a pay incentive for certain holidays.

Does Carolina Caring offer a uniform allowance?

Carolina Caring does not currently offer a uniform allowance.  However, Carolina Caring plans to explore a contract with Morgan’s or Knighton Uniforms for payroll deduction.

Will CaroMont Health accept the Prime Health and the Reference Based Pricing Plan?

We are working towards this and will provide an update as soon as possible.

How does Carolina Caring address Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?

At Carolina Caring, continuing education can be requested and approved through your manager.  CEUs for nursing are offered through Carolina Caring’s internal Center for Leadership and Learning.

Will Carolina Caring offer payroll deduction to purchase uniforms?

Carolina Caring will offer uniform payroll deduction through Morgan’s Shoes & Bootery and Knighten’s Uniforms, Inc. in Gastonia. The maximum order for payroll deduction is $150 and employees may choose to spread the deductions over four bi-weekly payrolls.

Do Carolina Caring’s company doctors provide virtual visits?

Carolina Caring’s company doctors provide telemedicine and virtual visits for established patients.  Your first visit with a company doctor will include a complete physical exam to determine follow-up needs. Once you are an established patient, telemedicine or virtual visits may be available for certain symptoms and health concerns. 

Will Carolina Caring add a company doctor in Gastonia?  

The company that Carolina Caring partners with to provide company paid primary care physicians for our medical participants to visit without cost does not have a physician practice in Gastonia and they are not adding additional physicians at this time.

Who are Carolina Caring’s company doctors and where are their offices located? 

Carolina Caring offers full and part-time benefit eligible employees who enroll in Carolina Caring health insurance the option of a company-paid primary care physician. If you take advantage of this benefit, you will enroll with either Dr. Kate Long, Dr. Josephine Lake, or Dr. Billy Price as your personal doctor. There is no employee cost or insurance billing for any visits to the company paid primary care physician.

• Dr. Kate Long is located at 8731 Red Oak Blvd, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28217. Dr. Long’s office is 21.4 miles and 25 minutes from Gaston Hospice and 25 miles and 34 minutes from Robin Johnson Hospice House.

• Dr. Josephine Lake is located at 13801 Reese Blvd West, Suite 150, Huntersville, NC 28078. Dr. Lake’s office is 25 miles and 32 minutes from Gaston Hospice and 33.4 miles and 47 minutes from Robin Johnson Hospice House. 

• Dr. Billy Price is located at 203 First Street East, Conover, NC 28614. Dr. Price’s office is 38.8 miles and 49 minutes from Gaston Hospice and 32.7 miles and 44 minutes form Robin Johnson Hospice House.

What will the dress code be under the new company?

Carolina Caring will provide detailed personnel policies, including the Personal Appearance policy, on this site in the upcoming weeks. These policies will apply to Gaston Hospice staff once your employment transitions to the new organization, October 1, 2024.  In general, the expected dress code is business casual on regular workdays. However, on Fridays, staff may wear company-branded t-shirts, clean jeans without holes, and athletic shoes, unless otherwise dictated by scheduled meetings. Staff working in patient care roles should not wear scrubs featuring Gaston Hospice branding. Additionally, for safety reasons, shoes in patient care environments must not have open toes or other openings. Please note that sport or beach-type flip flops, or sandals made from foam or similar materials, are not permitted at any time.

Will CaroMont Health continue hiring new Gaston Hospice staff up until the transition on October 1st?

No.  Effective immediately, CaroMont Health is transitioning recruitment for Gaston Hospice staff to Carolina Caring.

Will CaroMont Health participate in the Prime Health network and the Reference Based Pricing Plan?

We are pleased to announce that effective October 1, 2024, CaroMont providers will participate in the Prime Health network and Carolina Caring’s Reference Based Pricing Plan.

When will I begin completing timesheets to reflect my time working for the new company?

Employees who begin their shift the evening of September 30th will be compensated by CaroMont Health for all hours worked for the entire shift, even if the shift ends on October 1st. All new shifts beginning at 12 AM or after on October 1st will be compensated by the new company.

When will I receive my first paycheck from the new company and which calendar days will it include?

Your first paycheck from the new company will be issued October 18, 2024, and will include pay for hours worked from October 1st through October 12th.

Will the amount of medical plan deductible I have met for 2024 with CaroMont Health be honored by EBMS when I am covered by the new company’s medical plan October 1st?

CaroMont Health provided a report on August 19th of your accumulated deductibles to be uploaded by EBMS at the time of your enrollment into the new plan. Any additional amounts that you pay toward meeting your deductible that were not included in the initial report will require an Explanation of Benefits that you will submit to EBMS.

What happens to my current PTO balance? 

You will not lose your accrued PTO balance (as of the date of transition). 

You may transfer a portion of your PTO (up to 80 hours for full-time and 64 for part-time, benefit-eligible employees) to the new company so you will continue to have a balance for vacations, holidays, and sickness. If your balance of PTO is more than the allowable transfer amount, CaroMont Health will pay any remaining balance at your current hourly rate. 

Following October 1st, Carolina Caring will provide CaroMont with a listing of all employees that transition and the maximum number of PTO hours permitted to be transferred. No action is required from you for the maximum allowed PTO hours to be transferred and remaining balance paid out. If you do not want CaroMont to transfer the maximum allowed PTO hours to Carolina Caring so you may be paid for all accrued PTO hours, you must notify CaroMont Human Resources by emailing CaromontHospiceHR@caromonthealth.org.

When will I receive a performance evaluation or feedback on my performance?

You will be encouraged to discuss job performance and goals with your manager on an informal, day-to-day basis.   Formal performance evaluations will be completed every 12 months around the anniversary of your original hire date or rehire date with CaroMont. 

If promotions, transfers or other job status changes occur throughout your employment, the timing of the performance evaluation may also change to coincide with the start of the new job status.

Merit-based pay adjustments may be awarded to some employees to recognize employee performance.

Where can we get additional Carolina Caring apparel to wear to work?

1. Uniforms with Logo: We have partnered with Knighten’s Uniforms, where you can purchase uniforms with or without an embroidered Carolina Caring logo. You can also have up to $150 of your purchase payroll deducted for convenience.

2. Logo T-Shirts and More: For a variety of Carolina Caring logo apparel, you can visit our recognition and reward platform, Awardco. The online swag store offers t-shirts (both long and short sleeve), polo shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, packable jackets, caps, beanies, and more. We will soon introduce Awardco to you and explain how you can earn points to use for purchases.

3. Additional Opportunities: Throughout the year, there may be additional opportunities to purchase t-shirts and other apparel through the Foundation or other channels.