STIPENDS

BENEFITS (As of June 26, 2008)

Each bi-weekly stipend check represents 1/26 of the annual stipend rate.

Bassett pays initial and subsequent New York State Licensing fees for all eligible PGY 2 house officers and beyond during their training at Bassett and requires that house officers be licensed by October of their PGY 2 year.

a. Residents in the Columbia-Bassett Primary Care Internal Medicine Program who are committed to practicing primary care are eligible for up to $10,000 per year to be used toward payment of student loans. Funds are awarded after the successful completion of each post-graduate year to a maximum of $30,000.

b. Residents are also eligible to participate in a Primary Care Loan Forgiveness Program administered by New York State.

a. Bassett provides funding for expenses related to the purchase of educational books and software, PDA software and equipment, medical journal subscriptions, medical society dues, and conference tuition and travel.

Level                   Allowance           Level              Allowance

PGY-1                 $500                  PGY-4            $1750

PGY-2                 $1250                 PGY-5           $1750

PGY-3                 $1250

b. Up to seven calendar days per academic year are allotted for PGY-2 through 5 for conference attendance, including travel.

• Up to $1000 for PGY 2 through 5 may be used to purchase a computer. This is a one-time benefit.
• Up to $200 for all PGY levels towards the purchase of an IPOD.

c.  Funds not used by June 1 will be forfeited.

Bassett pays a moving allowance of $650 to all house officers moving to Cooperstown for the first time. Individual check amounts will vary based on tax withholdings.

Bassett covers residents traveling on Bassett business for $100,000.

Text processing services are available to residents, at no cost, for clinical or educational use.

Photo/Audio-Visual services are available to residents, at no cost, for presentations within the educational program.

Unlimited copies of articles, at no charge, are available to residents for clinical or educational use.

a.  3 periods consisting of seven consecutive days each, per academic year.

b.  All time should be used by June 15^th of the academic year. At the Program Director's discretion, time may be used after this date if it is scheduled by October 1^st of the academic year. Time not used by the end of the academic year will be forfeited unless inability to use time is due to denial by the Program Director.

c.  For PGY-1's, vacations are pre-scheduled prior to the start of the academic year. For PGY-2's and above, pre-scheduling is at the discretion of the Program Director. It is desired that all vacation time be scheduled by October 1^st of the academic year.

d.  5 additional personal days per academic year will be allowed informally after advance arrangements have been made with the Program Director and Attending in charge of the resident's service. Personal days must be scheduled by May 15^th. After this date, scheduling is at the Program Director’s discretion. Days not used by the end of the academic year are forfeited.

Bassett observes six calendar holidays per year which will have a variable effect upon the House Staff depending on service requirements.

House Officers are covered under the Hospital and Professional Liability policy with Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company (MLM) for professional liability for actions that take place while on duty and under supervision of members of the Medical Staff. This is a mature claims made policy with professional liability coverage of $3,000,000 per occurrence and $7,000,000 in aggregate for a given year. There is also a general liability policy with MLM that is an occurrence policy in the amount of $1,000,000 for bodily injury and $1,000,000 for property damage. Bassett Healthcare also has an umbrella liability policy with a $35,000,000 limit. If you are contacted by an attorney, speak to the responsible attending physician or contact the Quality Resources Management Department at 6690 before committing yourself to any statement or action

• Coverage - From date of employment, residents are eligible to join Bassett Healthcare’s flexible benefits plan. Employees choose the type of benefit package that best meets the needs of their personal situation and lifestyle. We offer single, two person, and family coverage for you and your dependents. Dependents can include spouse, domestic partner, and children.

• Medical Plan - Our flexible benefits program offers you and your dependents four medical options for comprehensive medical coverage. Covered services include physician visits, preventive care, hospitalization, surgery, emergency care, and more.

• Dental Plan - We offer you and your dependents two dental plans. One provides coverage for preventive and minor restorative care (fillings, extraction, and root canals) and the other plan provides additional coverage for major restorative work (crowns, bridges, and dentures) and orthodontics. The Comprehensive Plan has a calendar year maximum of $2000 not including orthodontia.

• Pharmacy Plan - Bassett's Pharmacy Plan pays 60% of the cost of prescription drugs or refills. There is an additional 10% employee discount at the Bassett Outpatient Pharmacy. Once personal expenses reach $1500 per year the plan pay at 100%.

• Eyewear Plan - You and your dependents receive an allowance towards the purchase of lenses or contact lenses, and frames at the Bassett Eyewear Center.

Health Care Spending Account - You may direct up to $5,000 of your pre-tax pay into this account each calendar year. You can use this account to reimburse yourself for expenses such as health plan deductibles, coinsurance amounts, certain over-the-counter drugs, and other expenses not covered by the medical, dental, and pharmacy plans.

Dependent Care Spending Account - This plan allows you to pay for certain child and elder care expenses with tax-free dollars. You may direct up to $5,000 of your pre-tax pay into this account and use it for qualified dependent care expenses.

Long Term Disability - Long Term Disability provides income replacement if you become ill or injured and are unable to work beyond a six-month total disability period. Benefits are payable for as long as your doctor and the plan administrator agree that you are unable to work.

Life Insurance - We offer basic and supplemental term life insurance.

Basic Life Insurance - we pay the full cost of coverage for one times your annual base pay.

Supplemental Term Life Insurance - you may elect an additional amount of life insurance from 1 times up to 3 times your annual base pay at discounted group rates.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment - AD&D insurance provides benefits for you and your family should one of you die or be severely injured in an accident. We pay the full cost to provide coverage of one times your annual base pay. Under the AD&D plan you can purchase additional coverage up to 3 times your annual base pay.

Voluntary Benefits through Payroll Deduction - There are several voluntary benefits that are also made available through the convenience of payroll deduction. For example, through a single vendor employees can sign up for auto insurance, homeowner’s and renters insurance. Voluntary Short Term Disability and Cancer Care coverage (AFLAC) are also available through payroll deduction along with Supplemental Life Insurance coverage through Security Mutual, Voluntary Dependent Life Insurance through All State, and coverage for certain legal expenses through Prepaid Legal, Inc.

Employee Assistance Program  - This program is designed to help you assess and cope with problems - marital, family, or financial difficulties, substance abuse, physical or mental illness - that can affect both the quality of your life and your performance at work.

Clark Sports Center - Located within walking distance from Bassett the Center offers exercise, wellness, and nutritional education programs as well as a variety of fitness equipment to promote a healthy lifestyle. Membership fees can be paid through payroll deduction.

Spiritual Support - Pastoral counseling is available for conversation, prayer, moral support, and help with other religious and spiritual needs. Employees are invited to visit the chapel for some quiet time, if needed.

Child Care Resource and Referral Service - Employees who need help in locating appropriate and affordable childcare services can find assistance through Catholic Charities, a free service.

Bereavement Leave - Bassett allows leave of up to three days with pay for a death in an employee's immediate family. Immediate family includes: spouse or domestic partner, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, mother-in-law and father-in-law.

Leatherstocking Region Federal Credit Union - The Credit Union is a member owned, non-profit financial institution. It offers many services including payroll deduction saving plan, Christmas Club, and loans (car, mortgage, home equity, and personal) at reasonable rates. Checking accounts, direct deposit, and credit cards are also available.

Tax-Deferred Retirement Savings Plan - This plan is offered in the form of a voluntary Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA), also known as a 403(b), to the employees of Bassett. This plan allows you to deduct money from your pay before taxes are withheld, in order to save for retirement.

College Savings Plan - Bassett offers you the opportunity to save for educational expenses through payroll deduction to a section 529(c) plan. These plans are offered through Upromise and allow employees to save money, tax-free, for secondary education expenses for themselves, their children, or other relatives. There are also state and federal tax incentives for enrolling in these plans.

House officers are covered under the New York State Worker's Compensation plan.

PROFESSIONAL LEAVE:

Up to 4 days are available to residents as career leave days after advance arrangements have been made with the Program Director and Attending in charge of the resident's service. These days may be used over the duration of your residency and are available only for interviewing for residency/fellowship or practice positions. Requesting residents must work out a coverage plan with the supervising physician for the day selected. Days not used by June 1 will be forfeited.

MATERNITY LEAVE:

a.  Residents will be given full pay through the disability period recommended by the resident's physician, but will force a restructuring of the resident's academic year to meet residency and board eligibility requirements. A disability form needs to be completed and returned to the Human Resources Division.

b.  Unpaid leave beyond the disability period, not to exceed 3 months including the disability period, will be granted by the Program Director and the Director of Medical Education under the provisions of the Family Medical Leave Act, but will force a restructuring of the resident's academic year to meet residency and board eligibility requirements.

Unpaid leave, under the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, of up to three months will be granted by the Program Director and Director of Medical Education, but will force a restructuring of the resident's academic year to meet residency and board eligibility requirements.

Unpaid leave, under the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, of up to three months will be granted by the Program Director and the Director of Medical Education, but will force a restructuring of the resident's academic year to meet residency and board eligibility requirements.

Unpaid leave, under the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, of up to three months for critical or terminal illnesses suffered by members of their immediate families (spouse, children, parents, or siblings), but will force a restructuring of the resident's academic year to meet residency and board eligibility requirements.

a.  Residents must notify the chief resident or program director as appropriate, for all short-term illnesses.

b.  After the second consecutive day of illness, the house officer must be evaluated by a primary care provider and the program director notified of the expected duration of the sick leave.

c.  Illnesses that remain unresolved after seven days will need to be reevaluated on a weekly basis while the disability program is in effect. A disability form needs to be completed and returned to the Human Resources Division.

a. Stipends will continue for up to 180 consecutive days of extended illness.

b. Circumstances of the illness and the appropriateness of continuing full stipend will be reviewed by the Director and Administrative Director of Medical Education, Vice President for Human Resources and the Program Director after 30 days and again after 60 days, 90 days, and120 days.

c. Claims for Long Term Disability benefits will be initiated as soon as it appears likely that the illness will extend beyond 6 months.

d. The Long Term Disability coverage excludes absences which are caused by pre-existing conditions during the first 11 months one is enrolled. There is no waiting period for new illnesses or injuries.

Bassett provides subsidized housing in forty townhouses/apartments in a complex called Fernleigh Over on the main campus. Three bedrooms cost $950, and two bedrooms, $850. This includes electricity, fuel oil, water, sewer, waste disposal, snow removal, and landscaping services. Apartments are assigned as available to incoming house officers.

a.  Food charged to Medical Education during cafeteria hours will be available to House Officers and Acting Interns/ICU rotation whenever they are required to be on duty overnight, weekends, or other qualifying rotations.

b.  The maximum on duty dollar amount is $9 per call for each qualifying resident/student. This includes cafeteria charges and restaurant charges. Breakfast can be charged only in the cafeteria. Qualifying circumstances include:

Medicine Long Call -dinner ICU-Night float-breakfast

Medicine Night Float - breakfast ICU on-call-dinner and breakfast

Students (s) Medicine long-call-dinner ICU student on-call-dinner and breakfast

Surgery Call - dinner, breakfast on weekends Emergency Services-dinner-Shifts A, B, C and D

Surgery Jeopardy Friday Call-dinner and breakfast Sat. am Emergency Services-breakfast-Shifts-E and F

Surgery Jeopardy Saturday Call-dinner and breakfast Sun. am Obstetrics and Pediatrics-dinner

Cardiac Surgery overnight call-dinner

Weekends and Holidays-breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner as appropriate

Acting Interns/ICU - dinner only

c. Cafeteria hours for benefit:

Monday - Friday available 6:30-10:30 am and 4:00-6:45 pm

Sat. and Sun. Call available 6:30-10:30 am and 4:00-6:45 pm

d.  When the cafeteria is closed, a stocked refrigerator is available in the House Staff lounge. The food is a fall back for after hours. If it is consumed as soon as it is stocked, those who seek to use it at the appropriate time will be disappointed.

e.  Meal passes are available at the Office of Medical Education, between the hours of 8:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, for use at Foo Kin John, New China Wok, Danny's Market, and Tino's Pizza restaurants as an alternative to the cafeteria. The Blue Ticket is valid only on the stamped date and must be signed and the qualifying service indicated. The restaurants must include actual receipts with the meal passes for tracking of this benefit so that it will not be calculated as imputed income for the resident.

f.  This benefit is intended only for qualifying residents/students on overnight, weekend or Holiday call in hospital and should not be used for family or friends. It is based on the honor system and may be revoked at any time at the discretion of the Director of Medical Education.

Uniforms and laundering of uniforms for house officers are provided through a rental service paid for by Bassett Healthcare.

A House Staff Lounge including cable television is available 24 hours per day and includes a stocked refrigerator for residents on call.

On-Call Rooms are available in the inpatient building for residents on call overnight.

Bassett's Medical Library is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and offers both an extensive on-site collection as well as electronic access to journals.

Windows computers are available for house staff use. Internet access is also available.

NOTE: Benefits are reviewed prior to each academic year and are subject to change.