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A Message from Mr. Lloyd

Continue reading for anticipated frequently asked questions for staff members. For the full announcement press release and patient FAQs, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for being such an important part of this new chapter for UK St. Claire. We are all in this together. Your hard work and dedication to patient care, along with the resources available through our choice of UK HealthCare as a partner, will allow us to continue to positively impact our region for decades to come.

We value your questions and concerns. It’s our goal to share as much information as we have available at this point in the process. On this page you will find answers to what we anticipate will be your most frequent and urgent questions. We will continually update this page as more information is available or other questions arise. Thank you for your commitment to the people we serve!

Jump ahead to a topic:

EMPLOYMENT STATUS AND BENEFITS

Is my job at risk?

UK St. Claire and UK HealthCare are committed to patient care, community support, and the growth and development of our employees. No changes to job responsibilities, staffing, or management are anticipated at this time for employees in good standing.

Will I retain my original St. Claire’s date of hire?

Current employees will retain their original date of hire with UK St. Claire.

Will my benefits or pay change?

UK St. Claire and UK HealthCare are committed to patient care, community support, and the growth and development of our employees. No changes to compensation and most benefits are anticipated at this time. For changes to our retirement plans, please skip to the retirement plan section.

Will there be an opportunity to job share between UK St. Claire and our sister facilities?

The focus as we begin this process of assimilating into the UK HealthCare system is on the quality of care for our patients. Conversations such as this will be considered at a later date.

What about Contract Renewals?

Contract renewals will continue to be managed in-house and all contracts have now been accepted and absorbed. Please note that in the future, forms and documentation may look different in order to support the needs of staff.

Will there be changes to payroll?

During the initial stages of this transition, there will be no changes to the payroll process and no negative payroll changes to employees in good standing.

Will we move to UK’s employee health plan and what will happen to our discounted health services through St. Claire’s current plan?

Though no changes are happening soon, we eventually plan to create an integrated employee health plan as UK St. Claire where everyone has the same costs and access to savings.

Will we get UK tuition benefits? Will our tuition assistance program change?

UK St. Claire is proud to invest in employee education. We want to enhance our current program benefits by integrating that with UK, while also offering access to educational opportunities closer to home. More information will be provided as we work out the details of this exciting aspect of this partnership!

Will OTO be effected?

Tenure at St. Claire will transfer to UK St. Claire and OTO (Open Time Off) time and policies will not change.

Will overtime be going away? Will we lose our compensation and premium?

Our current overtime and compensation policies will remain in place for now. We will evaluate our practices and make sure they are fair and efficient, but we do not plan to make any changes that would negatively impact our employees.

Is UK a second-chance employer like St. Claire and will that hiring program continue?

Yes! In fact, UK has expressed a desire to adopt elements of our program to enhance their campus hiring program.

Will UK St. Claire offer childcare for children of staff?

We are considering solutions for this need. Prior to the pandemic, there were 11 daycare centers in Rowan County. Now there are 4 and they are expensive due to rising costs and staffing shortages. Tentative plans include working with some businesses in town to potentially share costs to make it more affordable and accessible. We will share information about this possible program as it becomes available.

RETIREMENT PLANS

As our new retirement plans are finalized and we transition from our former plans, some changes to details outlined below are possible. These FAQs have been developed with the most current information and we will continue to update them as we learn more. Please contact Marcia Shrout in HR for any questions not addressed in these FAQs.

  • 401(k) Plans

  • Will this affect my eventual retirement date or my vesting schedule?
  • No. This rollover to a new 403(b) will not affect your funds, contributions or vesting schedule.
  • Are my 401(k) funds safe?
  • Employees' vested balances in the 401(k) plan are protected by federal law, so you will not lose your accumulated savings. You may continue to access your 401(k) account with The Standard until funds are transferred.
  • What is the difference between my current 401(k) and this new 403(b)?
  • The new 403(b) plan was chosen because it will act very similarly to the old 401(k), with similar investment options. Your current rate of contribution will automatically apply to your new 403(b) unless you request otherwise through HR.
  • Will the amount deducted from my paycheck remain the same or will I have to choose a different amount?
  • It will remain the same. Starting in July, your contributions will go to this new account at your current rate. No action is needed from you for this transition to happen.
  • Are there any penalties on my taxes for rolling over (transferring) funds into a new retirement account?
  • No. If you choose to rollover your current 401(k) into the new 403(b) account, there are no penalties, additional fees or taxes. Additionally, there should be no penalty if you choose to roll your funds into an IRA. We recommend you talk to your tax professional to determine the best option for you.
  • Will retirement contributions from St. Claire change?
  • St. Claire’s current annual contributions to your retirement plan will remain the same.
  • What happens if I just withdraw my funds from my 401(k)?
  • If you are younger than 59½, you may be subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty in addition to taxes, since a withdrawal will increase your taxable income. Withdrawing your funds may also reduce your income during retirement. We recommend consulting a tax professional before considering this option.
  • Will my new 403(b) still be tax-deferred?
  • Yes, the new 403(b) plan will be tax-deferred just like the previous 401(k) plan.
  • What actions will I need to take during this process?
  • If you were actively contributing to your 401(k), no action is needed from you for this transition to a 403(b) and your contribution rate will remain the same. You will be sent additional communications from HR and the plan administrators, The Standard and Nationwide, with information on establishing your new account for the 403(b) as well as what actions you will need to take in closing out your 401(k) and determining what to do with its balance.

  • 457(b) Plans

  • How do I sign up for the new governmental 457(b) plan?
  • If you are were actively contributing to the old 457(b) plan, no action is needed from you for contributions to start collecting in the new plan. Starting in July, your contributions will go to this new account at your current rate.
  • What happens to my current account balance in the St. Claire 457(b) deferred compensation plan?
  • Your current account balance will be cashed out within the next year and returned to you as income to be reported on that tax year’s Form W-2. In the meantime, you can continue to access your account with BCG.
  • Will I be taxed on the account balance that’s liquidated?
  • Yes, you will be taxed according to the IRS guidelines. Taxes will be withheld according to your current W-4. Due to these tax implications, we strongly recommend consulting with your tax professional before the final distribution.
  • Is liquidation of my 457 account necessary even if I have not been an active participant for months?
  • Yes, all participant account balances must be liquidated in order to terminate the plan.
  • Can my current 457 plan’s account balance be rolled into the new 457(b) governmental plan?
  • No, unfortunately the IRS will not allow tax exempt 457(b) plans to roll over to governmental 457(b) plans.
  • Will any monies that were rolled into the 457(b) plan from a previous employer be treated differently than those monies that were deferred from my St. Claire pay?
  • No, monies that were rolled into the plan will have to be liquidated as well.
  • Are there any other options available besides liquidation of my 457(b) retirement plan account balance?
  • St. Claire has worked with several consultants and attorneys, and unfortunately we determined that the only option for the plan is to terminate and liquidate the account balances.
  • Can my 457 plan’s account balance remain frozen until I reach retirement age?
  • No, any monies in the plan must be liquidated. The plan is being terminated and cannot have any remaining balances.
  • Why were we not notified of this change to the 457 plan earlier?
  • Once this required shift in plans was discovered, we began the research process for any available opportunities before terminating the plan. We consulted with Mercer, Deloitte, tax attorneys, retirement attorneys, as well as UK/SCH legal teams.
  • How will I receive the distribution of my 457 account?
  • You will receive communications in the coming months from HR and the past plan administrator, BCG, with further details on distribution. In the meantime, you can continue to access your account with BCG.
  • When will liquidation of my 457 account occur?
  • You will receive updates prior to distribution. It will occur as soon as administratively possible, and likely before the end of the summer.
  • Will I be charged a penalty for termination of the 457 plan?
  • No. There is no penalty for early withdrawal of retirement funds when the plan is terminated.
  • Why is my account balance not eligible to be rolled into another 457(b) retirement account?
  • Unfortunately, the IRS will not allow tax-exempt 457(b) plans to roll over to governmental 457(b) plans. However, we are establishing a new 457(b) governmental plan. If you are were actively contributing to the old 457(b) plan, no action is needed from you for contributions to start collecting in the new plan. Starting in July, your contributions will go to this new account at your current rate.
  • With the establishment of the new governmental 457(b), will I be able to defer up to the maximum IRS limit for 2024?
  • Yes. If you deferred the maximum for your old 457(b) plan, your contribution rate will carry over into the new governmental 457(b).

  • 403(b) Plans

  • There won’t be any changes to our current voluntary 403(b) plans at this time.

OPERATIONS

Will this have any effect on referrals and existing relationships with specialists?

UK HealthCare was chosen as the best fit to help us continue providing the best care for our patients. For years, UK St. Claire has been a defined affiliate partner with UK HealthCare through the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute Affiliate Network (GAN), the UK Stroke Network, and numerous additional comprehensive clinical affiliations, including UK Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Markey Cancer Center, which recently received a prestigious Comprehensive Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). With patient care at the forefront of our decision to expand this existing partnership, we believe access to more specialty and subspecialty areas, research, and the latest medical technologies will benefit the providers, patients, their families, and the communities we serve.

Will this change decision autonomy or administrative processes for providers?

No changes to management or administrative processes are anticipated at this time. UK HealthCare has been a part of the UK St. Claire legacy of care for this region for decades. We electively expanded our partnership with UK because it will offer providers increased access to consultation with specialists and the latest technologies and expanded research in many clinical areas.

Will there be significant changes to our method/system of documentation and/or patient record keeping?

UK St. Claire and UK HealthCare strive to maintain the highest level of care for patients and their families. In order to continue to provide excellent healthcare for the region, we will continue to encourage best practices in all areas of care, with an even greater emphasis on providing highly reliable and evidence-based care. We do anticipate changes to some internal systems, and we will ensure the involvement of staff in the communication and implementation of these changes.

Will UK St. Claire transition to Epic Software?

The entire UK healthcare enterprise will use the Epic software system. However, this migration will not occur on day one. In order to keep operations moving forward, we will continue to use our current system, but we will begin to discuss transition to the Epic system. Transition teams are being established in order to begin working through details. Employees will be an integral part of these transition teams and their feedback will be actively considered throughout this process. Using a common, comprehensive system will ensure effective communication in order to best support patient well-being and the highest-quality care.

What will happen to our mission since all decisions are made based on the mission?

The spirit and the intent of our collective mission will not change, though there may be modification to the theological portion. Our mission has always been to support the quality and health of our community, utilizing our resources responsibly, with a spirit of cooperation and excellence among staff in order to treat each patient with dignity and compassion. After a side-by-side comparison to that of UK HealthCare, our stated mission aligns absolutely with their demonstrated values, as they seek to provide high-quality care, supporting the marginalized and creating human flourishing clinically, socially and economically throughout the Commonwealth.

What will happen to the existing Board of Directors?

Starting July 1, 2024, a new board of directors, comprising 10 members, will be instated. This marks a significant milestone in our journey, yet it's worth noting that many of the board members transitioning to the inaugural community arm of the UK St. Claire board have been actively involved in serving our community for several years. Bill Redwine will continue his role as the chair of the new board, with John Northcut, Dr. Parker Banks, and Shelly Irvine joining him. Additionally, several leaders, physicians, and four community representatives from our existing board will also make the transition. Moving forward, measures have been put in place to ensure both local and medical representation on the board. UK HealthCare has approved all nominations made by our current board, signaling a strong spirit of cooperation.

What will happen to the affiliation with the Sisters of Notre Dame?

The Sisters of Notre Dame National Ministry Corporation will relinquish its corporate membership of St. Claire to the University of Kentucky. However, the Sisters will remain in the community and continue serving the people of Northeastern Kentucky through their newly established independent charitable foundation.

When I call UK St. Claire, will I be speaking with someone at the Morehead location, or will that be contracted out?

This service will remain in-house. We will continue providing excellent customer service locally as long as it remains in the best interest of the patients we serve.

UK St. Claire is a nonprofit organization. Will UK St. Claire still be a nonprofit?

Yes, we will remain a non-profit organization. UK HealthCare and King’s Daughters are both non-profit organizations as well. Our tax-identification number will remain the same. The only adjustments to our organizational structure will be with the composition of our board members.

Will food services be contracted through UK?

St. Claire and UK HealthCare will keep operations as similar as possible as long as they are effective and meet staff and patient satisfaction criteria. This includes food services. Determinations for adjustments and improvements will be made where it is appropriate and with full knowledge of patients and staff.

Some of our service areas overlap with King’s Daughters. Will we be scaling back in those areas?

No changes will be made at this time. As we move forward in this process, we will consider the best use of resources and capacity of both institutions and collaborate to ensure the best possible care and outcomes for our patients.

Will we need to get different scrubs to match UK's colors?

We have no plans to change the dress code at this time.

FACILITIES

Will we have to pay for parking?

There are no immediate plans to begin charging for parking at UK St. Claire.

How will you address limited parking as we increase staff and patients

We understand that parking may present a challenge temporarily, especially as future construction and renovations begin. Rest assured, we will address this issue with the new facility.

Are details about the new hospital location available?

We do not have specific details available yet, however our intention is to make the best decision possible for Morehead, Rowan County, and most importantly, the UK St. Claire staff and patients we serve.

Once new infrastructure is in place, what happens to current infrastructure?

Since our last master facilities plan three years ago, we have experienced a period of hyperinflation causing building prices to spike significantly. As a result, you can expect a blend of new build and rehabilitation of our current facilities for now. We will carefully consider the most efficient and effective way to make the current campus more functional, updated and aesthetically-pleasing. It will take a few years to plan for new infrastructure facilities, including a new medical education campus, and a few years to complete those builds.

EXPANSION OF SERVICES

Will this have a positive impact on what our patients can afford, especially those with medicare/medicaid?

Yes! Since we will be able to share resources with UK HealthCare, future increases will be better contained and potential cost savings will be available. We already know we will have more options to better treat behavioral health needs and women and children specialities. All insurance programs we participate in will continue. Many of our patients are seniors, experience financial hardships and/or disabilities. We have always been called to serve everyone in our community and we will continue to do so. We do not deny services to anyone based on their ability to pay and neither does UK HealthCare. In addition, the UK “charity care” policy will be adopted to help our patients in the future. For more information about this financial assistance program, visit https://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/patients-visitors/patients/payment-insurance/financial-assistance

What does the expansion of services and a new facility look like for UK St. Claire?

UK HealthCare is highly incentivized to continue to develop enhanced services here in Northeastern Kentucky. Planning for growth and development takes time and consideration. We commit to being good stewards of our resources and we will be as transparent as we can with facility planning announcements. We appreciate your patience as we continue ironing out plans that will benefit our region for many years to come.

What does the relationship look like in the future for inpatient rehabilitation, home health and hospice services?

These services are incredibly important for the overall well-being of the people in Northeastern Kentucky. We are diligently working with UK HealthCare to establish the future for post-acute care services. Historically, UK has contracted out post-acute care. This will be the first time they own this service, so it is likely they will want to remain heavily involved in its establishment and growth. They are excited by the services we offer at SCH and how we meet patients' needs. UK St. Claire will be at the forefront of their expansion of this program throughout the state. As always, when more information becomes available we will share it with our staff and patients.

How will pharmacy services at UK St. Claire be impacted by the partnership?

UK HealthCare is nationally recognized for their expertise in integrating various governmental pharmaceutical assistance programs, such as the 340B program. We were drawn to this opportunity in order to maximize the access and affordability of pharmaceutical care while also providing funds to help subsidize educational programs locally.

Will we get a pediatric unit?

Hospital admission rates have dropped significantly for children. Most treatment needs are addressed with ambulatory services. However, we will continue to assess the need in the community and make decisions based on that data. We will keep OB (Obstetrics) and perhaps add a nursery, but likely not a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) as we build new infrastructure.

Will UK St. Claire provide tubal ligations and vasectomies moving forward?

From the beginning, the process of expanding this partnership has been intentional and considered. No decisions have been, nor will be, made in haste. UK HealthCare has agreed to honor ethical and religious directives that we have in place at our current facilities, and future decisions will be handled with the utmost care and consideration for our patients and our community.

Will we increase trauma care?

We are already handling an increased number of trauma cases. Transfer rates to other trauma centers have dropped by 62% in recent years. We recently applied for level 4 trauma designation and will likely move up to level 3 soon after. We are in the process of adding more specialists, and plan to hire physicians trained in trauma response/care. We will use resources to continue to grow the specialty and subspecialty services that will make the level 3 designation possible.

Have additional questions? Submit them to the HR Comment box here.