Home Retail Group: Private Healthcare Policy Effective Date: 1/2/14 At a glance As part of our commitment to being a Great Place To Work, Home Retail Group offers private healthcare to eligible colleagues. Who this policy applies to This benefit is offered to eligible full time and part time roles in the UK broadband population, including those on fixed term contracts. Homebase store management graded 5R and above are also eligible for this benefit. To qualify for the upcoming benefit year (1 st April 31 st March) you will need to be in an eligible role by the first working day in February. What this policy applies to This policy will help you to understand how this benefit works. It also includes important information for you to consider prior to selecting your cover for the benefit year ahead.
Private healthcare cover Single cover cover for you only Partner cover cover for you and your spouse/partner. You do not have to be married or in a civil partnership to include your partner on your cover; however your partner will need to be registered at your address. Single parent cover for you and your dependants* Family cover cover for you, your spouse/partner and your dependants* *NB. Dependants must be under the age of 24 on 1 st April in the benefit year. You are able to add your dependants even if they do not live with you on a full time basis. There is no limit on the number of dependants that can be added, including step children, but the address held by our provider must be the same as yours. Eligible colleagues and level of cover Band B1 and above D to B2 Homebase store management (5R and above) Level of Cover Family cover with opportunity to trade down to partner cover, single cover or single parent cover Partner cover with the opportunity to trade up to family cover or trade down to single cover or single parent cover Single cover with no opportunity to trade up Making your selection You will be given an annual opportunity through My Choice to choose your level of cover for private healthcare for the upcoming benefit year. This will be during a set timeframe called an enrolment window, which will be approximately four weeks from the middle of February. Your choice from the previous year will be carried over into My Choice. If you don t want to change it, you don t need to do anything. E.g. if you chose to opt out of private healthcare in 14/15, your 15/16 choice will default automatically to the same. Your chosen level of cover will take effect from the 1 st April.
Changing selection during benefit year Once you have made your selection and the enrolment window has closed, you will not be able to change your level of cover or opt out of the benefit during the benefit year unless a lifetime event occurs meaning that you need to add or remove someone from your policy. These are: Divorce or relationship break down Death of spouse / partner or dependant Birth or adoption of new dependant - restricted to B1 or above In these instances please contact the HR Query Team on 0845 605 0242 who will be able to advise of next steps. Adding an additional dependant Should you already have family cover and need to add a new dependant please contact the HR Query Team on 0845 605 0242. To add a new dependant, you will need their name, gender and date of birth. New starters If you are entitled to private healthcare and join us outside of the annual enrolment window, you will be able to choose to receive this benefit. An exceptional enrolment window will open the month following your start date and will remain open for three weeks. Your chosen level of healthcare cover will commence the month after. After the exceptional enrolment window closes, you will only be able to join or amend your selection during the next annual enrolment window. Cost of private healthcare Our healthcare provision is run as a Trust which means the annual cost of private healthcare is based on the level of claims made the previous year. Your standard level of cover is paid for by the Company however, you will need to pay the Benefit in Kind (BiK) tax on the amount.
Should you choose to trade up to a higher level of cover you will pay a monthly deduction from your Net pay. The costs for 2015/16 are: Level of Cover Annual P11d Value Monthly Trade Up Cost Single 397.07 N/A Single Parent 568.61 N/A Partner 758.14 N/A Family 947.68 15.79 Should you trade down to a lower level of cover you will not receive any payment in lieu. If you decide to choose not to take up this benefit, you will not receive any payment in lieu. It is your responsibility to notify the Tax Office that you have private healthcare benefit and to make sure your tax code is amended. The value of your healthcare will also appear on your P11d which should be checked annually. Changing roles within the organisation: Permanently If you change roles on a permanent basis during the benefit year to a role with a higher level of cover, you are able to receive the level of cover for your new role. You will need to choose to receive this benefit, or amend your level of cover, during a three week exceptional enrolment window. If you move to a role that is not entitled to private healthcare, you will automatically stop receiving this benefit. This will take effect from the start date in your new role. Secondments If you are on secondment, your entitlement to private healthcare is as per your seconded role. You will need to choose to receive this benefit, or amend your level of cover, during a three week exceptional enrolment window. At the end of your secondment, your entitlement to private healthcare is as per your permanent role. Your level of cover will amend accordingly from the date you return to your permanent role.
In all cases The exceptional enrolment window will open the month following your start date in your new role and your chosen level of healthcare cover will commence the month after. After the exceptional enrolment window closes, you will only be able to join or amend your selection during the next annual enrolment window. Extended leave If you are eligible to receive private healthcare, your membership will be maintained throughout authorised extended leave such as maternity leave, adoption leave or long term sickness. Leaving the Company If you leave the Company, your private healthcare cover will lapse on your last day of employment. Other important information The provision of private healthcare under this Policy is subject to the rules (or those of any replacement private medical plan provided by us) and to the insurer agreeing to accept your membership on the basis of a reasonable premium. The details of the plan are set out in our private medical plan booklet. The nature of the plan, its provisions and limits can be changed by us at our discretion at any time. Contact details To make a claim under private healthcare, please call 0845 60 37 135, or visit the step by step guide to making a claim in the Healthcare Plan Booklet. Policy status This policy is owned by the Group HR Policy and Reward team. The policy may be updated or changed by the Company at any time.