Employee Benefits Guide
Welcome to Open Enrollment! As a full-time employee of Boyce Thompson Arboretum, you are eligible to participate in our group benefits program. If you are new to Boyce Thompson Arboretum, your benefits will go into effect on the first of the month, 30 days from your hire date.
The annual Open Enrollment occurs once a year with a July 1st effective date. Please note that Open Enrollment is your opportunity each year to make changes for yourself and your eligible dependents, which include children up to the age of 26. It is important you make your choices carefully, as you may not make a change to your elected benefits during the plan year unless you experience a qualified life event such as marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, or involuntary loss of coverage under your spouse’s plan.
After a thorough review of our benefits offerings, Boyce Thompson Arboretum will continue to offer medical coverage through EMI Health. Vision coverage will continue through VSP Vision Care, Dental coverage through Delta Dental of Arizona, and Group Term Life/AD&D, Voluntary Life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability benefits through Principal Financial Group. New for the 2026–2027 plan year, we are pleased to introduce additional voluntary protection options, including 24-hour Voluntary Accident Insurance and Critical Illness coverage, providing added financial support for unexpected health events both on and off the job.
As a thank you for your commitment and dedicated service, Boyce Thompson Arboretum will pay for the employee only cost of Group Term Life/AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability. We will also continue to contribute a generous amount towards the cost of Medical and Dental. Your portion of the premium, or cost of adding a dependent to Medical, Dental or Vision, are all pre-tax deductions from your paycheck, which lowers your taxable income.
Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment and New Hire Enrollments are hosted through Employee Navigator, your online benefits administration and enrollment portal. Everyone must complete the open enrollment process, including those who are waiving coverage by 5 PM on Tuesday, June 9th. If you choose to waive, please be sure to select the reason, such as coverage under a legal guardian or spouse.
You will receive an email from Employee Navigator with detailed instructions on how to register and properly enroll yourself and your loved ones in all lines of coverage. Please read the email in its entirety. Employee Navigator: www.employeenavigator.com and Company Identifier (case sensitive): Boyce Thompson
While signed into the Employee Navigator portal please verify that your information is correct in the system and be sure you have a beneficiary designated for the Group Term Life/AD&D insurance plan. You have access to the Employee Navigator portal throughout the year and can find information and documents that pertain to your benefits plans in this portal whenever you need them. You will also have access to the carrier member portals with EMI Health www.emihealth.com, Delta Dental of Arizona www.deltadentalaz.com, VSP Vision Care www.vsp.com, and Principal www.principal.com. These portals are customized to your plans, making it easy to search for innetwork facilities and providers, see your claims, and print ID cards as needed.
Medical Benefits
Boyce Thompson Arboretum offers three medical plan options through EMI Health, all using the BlueCross BlueShield Statewide Network. This network provides coverage in every major city in Arizona. When you're outside of Arizona, your coverage extends through the First Health Network. In Utah, your coverage continues through the EMI Health Care Plus Network.
To get the most from your benefits, register at www.emihealth.com. There, you can find in-network providers, check claims, estimate costs, and more. In a life- or limb-threatening emergency, going to the nearest hospital or emergency room visits are considered in-network in those situations. For all other care, be sure to stay in-network whenever possible. When using a non-participating Provider, the covered member is responsible for all fees in excess of the maximum allowable charge.
TeleMedicine – Care Anytime, Anywhere
Get 24/7/365 access to doctors through EMI Health TeleMed, powered by Recuro. Common health issues like colds, UTIs, and rashes can be diagnosed and treated by phone or video with no consultation fee. Save time and avoid costly office or ER visits by calling 855.6RECURO or downloading the Recuro app. Video consults are available 7 AM–7 PM; prescriptions provided when appropriate.
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Dental Benefits
Boyce Thompson Arboretum provides two dental coverage plans with Delta Dental AZ. The traditional PPO plan allows you to see out-ofnetwork providers if you choose to, however, an out-of-network provider may bill more than United Healthcare will pay which will result in balanced billing. The DHMO plan is based on a published copay schedule, it is important to know that in case of an emergency you and your eligible dependents have out-of-network coverage for dental emergencies only. To avoid any surprises when working with your innetwork provider, please be sure to request a pre-treatment estimate for treatments or services that may exceed $200.
Delta Dental of Arizona
Please see Employee Navigator for a full description of Benefits and Copayments for unlimited
Vision Benefits
We are pleased to continue offering vision benefits through VSP Vision Care. The plan provides comprehensive coverage, including Protective Safety Frames and Lenses for employees. This benefit is designed to support your vision health and enhance safety both at work and beyond.
VSP Vision Care
Exams: $10 copay, 1 time per 12-month period (Up to $39 copay for Routine retinal screening)
Frames: $10 copay, $150 allowance, 1 time per 12-month period
Standard Plastic Lenses: $10 copay, 1 time per 12-month period
Elective Contacts: Up to $60 copay + $150 allowance, 1 time per 12-month period in lieu of glasses
VSP LightCare: $10 copay + $150 allowance, 1 time per 12-month period for non-prescription sunglasses
Enhancements & Supplemental Benefits: VSP ProTec Safety Plan w/ $10 copay - Prescription lenses only & Extra $50 allowance on Featured Frame Brands
Employee Cost Per Pay Period
Employee
Group Term Life/AD&D Benefits
As a full- time employee, you are provided with $25,000 in Life Insurance benefits and $25,000 in AD&D benefits through Principal Financial, at no cost to you. For additional details and to designate a beneficiary of this policy please log in to the Employee Navigator enrollment system. It is best practice to designate an adult or a trust as a beneficiary, rather than a minor due to probate issues when a minor receives a life insurance payment.
Voluntary Basic Life/AD&D
In addition to the Group Term Life/AD&D coverage provided by Boyce Thompson Arboretum, you have the option to enroll in voluntary Life/AD&D insurance. You may elect up to $300,000 in coverage for yourself, $100,000 for your spouse, and $20,000 for your children.
If you are a current enrollee, you may increase your coverage by up to two increments during open enrollment. As a new hire, you can elect up to $150,000 for yourself, $30,000 for your spouse, and $20,000 for your children without needing to provide Eviden ce of Insurability (EOI), up to age 70. Elections above these amounts will require EOI. For full details, please refer to the Principal Financial plan summary available in the Resources section of the Employee Navigator portal.
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
Boyce Thompson Arboretum will be offering Short-Term and Long-Term Disability to all employees, at no cost! Our Short-Term and LongTerm Disability coverage through Principal Financial provides peace of mind should you become injured or ill off the job. The benefit will pay 60% of your income up to $1,500 per week for STD and $6,000 per month for LTD. The benefit begins paying on the 8th day after your injury or illness and your claim is approved for STD and after 90 days for LTD. The STD benefit can last up to 12 weeks; however, Principal must evaluate and approve your claim before the payment is made. For LTD, the benefit will pay up to age 65, with reduction in benefit thereafter. There is a pre-existing condition clause excluding conditions 3 months prior to the start of the coverage for up to 12 months covered by the policy. Please see Employee Navigator for additional details.
Voluntary Critical Illness
As a full-time employee, you have the option to enroll in voluntary Critical Illness coverage, which provides a lump-sum benefit if you are diagnosed with a covered condition. You can choose coverage in increments of $5,000, up to a maximum of $50,000, with a guaranteed issue amount of $20,000. Spouse coverage is also available in increments of $2,500 up to $50,000, with a $20,000 guaranteed issue, and children are automatically covered at 25% of your elected benefit. If you elect coverage above the guaranteed issue amount, a health questionnaire will be required. Please note that pre-existing condition limitations apply (6 months prior / 12 months insured). Additional details, including covered conditions, will be included in a separate handout and are available in the Employee Navigator resource section.
Voluntary Accident
Voluntary accident insurance provides a range of fixed, lump-sum benefits for injuries resulting from a covered accident, as well as accidental death and dismemberment benefits. This coverage provides 24-hour protection, meaning you are covered for eligible accidents both on and off the job, at work or at home. These benefits are paid directly to you and may be used for any purpose, from deductibles and prescriptions to transportation and childcare.
Additional Individual Plan Options
These programs are direct between you and the provider and are not deducted through your paycheck. To take advantage of the discounts offered through Amalyn Consulting, see the Quick Link section found on the Employee Navigator homepage for rates and additional plan details or click the links included below.
Pet Insurance: Pets are a part of the family and caring for them when sick or hurt can be expensive. With Nationwide pet insurance you can see the vet of your choice for an exceptionally low monthly rate. For a quote, go to the Quick Links section on your Employee Navigator home page or Click Here to access our discounted group rate.
GeoBlue International Travel Health Insurance: Our health insurance is best-in-class within the United States, but if you travel outside of the US and need medical care, your policy will only cover you once you’ve met your high out-of-network deductible; that coupled with currency exchange, language barriers and an unknown number of issues that may arise. For a low premium, consider purchasing a shortterm international medical plan on a per trip basis through GeoBlue. It even covers emergency extraction and repatriation to get you back to the states. Click Here for details or go to the Quick Link section on your Employee Navigator home page.
Mobile Apps
For access to your benefits at your fingertips, please take a moment to download the apps for your carriers, including but not limited to:
Resource Contact Information
EMI Health: 800-662 -5851
VSP Vision Care: 800-877-7195 www.emihealth.com vwww.vsp.com
Delta Dental AZ Principal: 800-986-3343
Customer Service: 800- 352-6132 www.principal.com www.deltadentalaz.com
Insurance Broker Contact Information
Ally Sanchez 480-479-5652 ally.sanchez@tpgrp.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find more information on each of the plans?
All plan documents are available through the Employee Navigator portal, where you can see more details regarding each of the plans.
How can I control my healthcare costs?
Use the emergency room for true life or limb emergencies. All other time sensitive needs can be addressed through Urgent Care. Ask for generic options from your doctor for prescriptions and use the $4 listing at your local grocery store pharmacy instead of your insurance. You may also use www.GoodRx.com to search for reduced prescription drug costs, rebates, and coupons in your area. Remember, not all pharmacies are created equal! Always call the insurance company first if you have questions about how to use your plan before you receive services.
How can I be sure to see an In-Network / Contracted Provider?
Make sure to use the words “contracted, in-network provider” when asking. Often the providers front office will tell you they accept your insurance. That does not mean that the provider is an approved, contracted, in-network provider, therefore the benefits will be reduced, and your out-of-pocket cost will be higher. Register on the carrier portal to locate in-network facilities and service providers www.emihealth.com, www.deltadentalaz.com, www.vsp.com & www.principal.com
What is a Copayment/Copay?
A copayment is a charge that must be paid at the time of service, like a visit to your doctor’s office.
What is Coinsurance?
The portion of covered health care costs for which the covered person has a financial responsibility. Often, coinsurance applies after meeting a deductible requirement first.
What is a Deductible?
The amount of eligible expenses a covered person must pay each calendar year from his/her own pocket before the plan will make payment under coinsurance. Make sure you are seeing an in-network contracted provider to get the most from your coverage and to minimize your out-of-pocket expense.
What is an Out-of -Pocket Expense?
The portion of payments for health services required to be paid by the enrollee, which includes copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
What is an Out-of -Pocket Maximum?
This is the pre-determined amount of medical expenses you are responsible for before a plan pays 100% of remaining “reasonable and customary” charges. Certain charges like penalties for non-pre-certification and balance billing are not eligible for out-of-pocket limits.
What is Balance Billing?
Out-of-network reimbursements are based on a maximum allowable fee schedule. If the provider’s charge exceeds the maximum allowable fee schedule amount, you may be required to pay the excess amount as out- of-pocket expenses.
Who are my Eligible Dependents?
Your legal spouse, domestic partner, and children up to the age of 26.