Have a general question about your benefits? Check out the frequently asked questions below. If you have additional questions, contact the Hess Benefits Center at Empyrean for health and security benefits or the Hess Benefits Center at Fidelity for pension and savings benefits.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FILTER
Why was the Hess Cash Accumulation Formula Pension Plan introduced?
As it has for all company practices, the Board of Directors initiated a thorough review of all U.S. benefits programs to be sure that they are appropriate now that we are a much smaller, E&P company. We considered value to employees, attractiveness to recruits and cost.
Our analysis showed that our peers, and many companies outside of our industry, have moved away from traditional final average pay pension plans like ours to plans that are similar to the Hess Cash Accumulation Formula Pension Plan. Also known as cash balance pension plans, these plans are typically easy to understand because the earned value is visible from day one and the money can be taken with you when you leave the company. Offering this new formula to employees hired on or after January 1, 2017, will save millions of dollars over time. More importantly, it positions Hess to reaffirm and strengthen its commitment to existing employees (hired before January 1, 2017) to provide a pension benefit based on the Traditional Formula while providing a sustainable pension benefit to new and future employees (hired on or after January 1, 2017) under the Cash Accumulation Formula.
Why didn’t we move everyone into the new plan?
Can I change to the Cash Accumulation Formula?
Are any changes being made to the current Traditional Formula Pension Plan?
How do I know how much I might earn by retirement?
What happens if I leave, decide to come back and get rehired?
Can I receive a lump-sum payment when I leave the company or retire?
What happens if I'm an expat and localize into the U.S. after January 1, 2017?
Is the Traditional Formula Pension Plan in jeopardy of being discontinued in the future?
When will I receive the company HSA contribution?
Do I have to do anything to receive the Hess HSA contribution, such as an annual physical?
When can I change my HSA contributions?
You can change your HSA contributions anytime during the year. To change them online, go to the Hess Benefits Center at Empyrean and:
- On the home page, click the Change Your Current Coverage tile.
- Select Change in Health Savings Account then Continue.
- Enter today’s date, select the eligibility agreement and click Continue.
- Review or correct your information, then click Continue.
- Confirm you meet the IRS HSA eligibility criteria, select Yes then Continue.
- Click Change for HSA and update your contribution to an allowed amount, then Save.
- Click Continue to verify your coverage, Continue to the confirmation screen and Save your coverage update.
You can also call the Hess Benefits Center at Empyrean and ask a benefits representative to make the change for you. They will update it in the system for you while on the phone.
What is a Health Savings Account (HSA)?
How does an HSA work?
What expenses can be paid from an HSA?
How much can I contribute to an HSA?
That’s up to you. Hess makes a contribution at the start of each year to your HSA. The amount Hess contributes depends on whether you have individual coverage or coverage that includes dependents. Then, each year, you can contribute up to a maximum total amount set by the IRS. See the Health Savings Account (HSA) section for IRS annual limits.
If you are an active employee, you fund your HSA with before-tax dollars. If you are a retiree, you fund your HSA with your own after-tax dollars and take a tax deduction when you file your federal income tax return.
Does the HSA catch-up contribution apply to my spouse who is age 55 or older, too? Can I contribute an additional $2,000 total for me and my spouse?
Can my spouse contribute to my HSA?
Who is eligible to set up an HSA?
When can I start to use my HSA?
How will I know how much is in my HSA?
What are the tax advantages of my HSA contributions?
Can I invest my HSA funds?
What if I have a big medical expense early in the year that exceeds my HSA balance?
If this happens, you could:
- Pay the provider out of pocket and reimburse yourself over time as your payroll deductions (or after-tax contributions if you are a retiree) are deposited into your HSA. You could reimburse yourself by using your HSA checkbook, or go online and transfer funds from your HSA to your bank account.
- Access other savings or short-term investments you have.
- Increase your annual election up to the IRS limit if you have not already done so.
Remember: One of the main purposes of an HSA is to provide long-term savings that grow. Having a tax-protected “nest egg” at retirement to pay medical expenses and Medicare premiums adds a level of financial security for your retirement years.
What if I have a medical expense that is more than the money in my HSA?
Do I have to pay for eligible expenses using my HSA?
Can I use the money in my HSA for anything other than eligible medical expenses?
How do I report HSA withdrawals that are used for non-eligible expenses?
What records will I need to keep about my HSA?
You are responsible for keeping records to prove eligibility for your contributions and withdrawals for eligible medical expenses. If your tax return is audited, you might be asked to provide documentation to show that you used your HSA to pay for eligible medical expenses. You should receive tax forms showing total annual contributions as well as total withdrawals from your HSA:
- Form 1099-SA notifies the IRS of withdrawals made from your HSA during the tax year.
- Form 5498-SA notifies the IRS of contributions made to your HSA during the tax year.
Do I have to submit supporting documents to the HSA administrator when I submit expenses?
What if I already have an HSA?
Is there a cost to establish an HSA at Hess?
What do I need to do to open an HSA?
How often can I contribute? Is there a limit as to how much I deposit with each contribution?
If I enroll in the Hess Medical Plan, must I contribute to an HSA or make before-tax payroll deductions?
Is there a minimum amount I must contribute to my HSA each year?
If I elect the Hess Medical Plan, does the company monitor whether I am eligible for the HSA and my contribution amount?
No, although your payroll deductions will automatically stop when you reach the maximum allowed for your circumstances. Otherwise, you alone are responsible for monitoring your eligibility for the HSA, the maximum amount of contributions that you can contribute and whether the expenses that you submit are eligible for reimbursement. Neither the company nor the HSA administrator makes these decisions. If your federal income tax return is audited by the IRS, you may be required to prove your eligibility for the HSA, as well as the level of contributions made and distributions received. Therefore, it is very important that you educate yourself on these issues and retain appropriate documentation.
Helpful information is available on the IRS website (irs.gov), including Publication 969, which covers HSAs. You also may want to consult with a tax professional.
What if I contribute more to the HSA than the tax rules allow in my circumstances?
How will I receive my HSA statements?
What happens to the money in my HSA if I waive medical coverage?
What happens to my HSA if I terminate employment with Hess?
All funds in your HSA are yours to keep, whether you terminate employment or retire. You can:
- Keep your HSA with Hess and pay the monthly maintenance fees as an individual account; or
- Transfer your funds to another qualifying HSA.
What’s an example of how I can use my HSA to pay for a dependent’s health care even if I’m no longer covered by a qualifying high deductible health plan?
Can people age 65 or older withdraw funds for any reason without a penalty?
Is the Hess Medical Plan a high deductible plan?
How does a high deductible plan provide value?
A high deductible plan provides value through:
- Lower premiums compared to traditional medical plans
- Preferred provider networks with discounted pricing
- A before-tax savings opportunity called a Health Savings Account (HSA)
For more information about HSAs, please see the Health Savings Account section of this FAQ.
Does the family deductible have to be met in full by each individual?
How are preventive services paid?
What are some examples of preventive services?
How are non-preventive services covered, like a doctor visit when I’m sick, or surgery in a hospital?
What are in-network services?
What are out-of-network services?
What happens if I use out-of-network providers?
Where can I learn more about network providers and the differences in how benefits are paid?
What is the name of the Anthem medical and vision network for Hess?
What are all the network names?
- Medical: National BlueCard PPO
- Vision: Blue View Vision
- Pharmacy: National Plus
- Delta Dental:
- Delta Dental PPO (generally offer lowest contracted rates and greatest cost savings)
- Delta Dental Premier (offer contracted rates that help you save).
Can I enroll in the Hess dental or vision plan if I’m not enrolled in the medical plan?
Are there any pre-existing limitations under the Hess Medical Plan?
My spouse or domestic partner is eligible for coverage through her employer. Can I enroll her under the Hess Medical Plan or is there a penalty?
In an emergency, will my out-of-network hospital stay be covered?
When should I go to the emergency room (ER), and when should I go to an urgent care center?
I’ve just received bad news that I have a disease and want to find out more about it. What resources are available?
What happens to my medical coverage if I terminate employment with Hess?
What is LiveHealth Online?
Does the Short-Term Disability (STD) program cover three months of maternity leave at 100 percent salary?
STD kicks in after five days. Does that mean that if I’m sick (bad cold or the flu, for instance) and need to be out four or five days, I do not have to contact the leave administrator until it goes beyond five days?
Am I eligible?
When do I become eligible?
Who can I adopt?
To receive reimbursement under this program, the child you adopt must be under age 18 and not your stepchild.
You can also adopt someone of any age who is physically or mentally unable to care for him or herself.
How much can I receive?
You can receive up to $10,000 per adoption, tax-free for up to two successful adoptions.
Any expenses reimbursed in an unsuccessful adoption before a successful adoption count toward the $10,000 reimbursement limit. The limit is reset after a successful adoption.
What expenses are eligible for reimbursement?
Necessary and reasonable expenses for the primary purpose of adoption are eligible for reimbursement through the program. These include:
- Application fees
- Home suitability studies
- Agency and placement fees
- Legal fees and court costs
- Immigration, immunization and translation fees
- Parent, child and family adoption counseling
Must I be employed by Hess to be reimbursed?
What happens if I leave Hess before I am reimbursed?
If I leave Hess, do I have to return reimbursements I’ve already received?
How do I get reimbursed?
Where do I send my completed form?
Submit your form—along with scanned bills or receipts—to myHR@Hess.com. Alternatively, you can mail this form and copies of your bills or receipts to:
Adoption Assistance Program
Hess Corporation
1501 McKinney Street
Houston, TX 77010
Attn: myHR Team
Will taxes be taken out of the reimbursement?
It depends. No federal taxes will be taken out of the reimbursement, but state and local taxes may apply.
How do I get the Adoption Assistance Program Reimbursement Form?
Click here. You can also get the form by calling myHR at 1-713-496-7600.
Where can I get more information about the program?
Are there tax considerations I should be aware of?
Yes, there are. Hess intends that benefits you receive through the Adoption Assistance Program not be considered income for federal income tax purposes, to the extent permissible under Internal Revenue Code section 137. The IRS adjusts the tax credits and income limits periodically. You should consult with a professional tax advisor regarding the latest published figures. Please note that state and local taxes may also apply to benefits you receive through this program.
You are responsible for understanding the tax treatment of benefits you receive through the program and for claiming any applicable income exclusion by filing a Form 8839 along with your federal income tax return.
Consult your tax advisor for information about the tax consequences and help in filing Form 8839.
What if I have questions about tax considerations?
Consult your tax advisor for information about the tax consequences of reimbursements you receive from the program and help in filing Form 8839.
Who is Virgin Pulse?
Virgin Pulse is our wellness administrator with an intuitive platform (portal and mobile app) to help you build healthy habits, achieve your wellness goals and improve your well-being.
Who can participate?
Any Hess employee who works in the U.S. and their enrolled spouse/domestic partner are eligible to participate in the wellness program. You will have access to powerup.hess.com and the Virgin Pulse app. However, you must be enrolled in the Hess Medical Plan to receive additional money in your HSA as your reward for reaching the annual points target.
Can my spouse or domestic partner participate?
If your spouse or domestic partner is enrolled in the Hess Medical Plan, he or she is eligible to earn POWER UP points toward an additional HSA contribution. If he or she reaches 400 points, you’ll receive an additional $375 (for a total of $750) to spend or save in your HSA in 2022.
If I’m already registered in the wellness program, do I have to re-register?
No, you do not need to re-register if you have already registered at powerup.hess.com or through the Virgin Pulse mobile app.
How does my spouse or domestic partner register?
If your spouse or domestic partner is participating in POWER UP, he or she can register at join.virginpulse.com/hess. After signing up, they can access the POWER UP portal at member.virginpulse.com.
What’s the deadline to reach 800 points for me and 400 points for my spouse or domestic partner?
The deadline for earning enough POWER UP points to qualify for the additional HSA contribution from Hess in 2022 is August 31, 2021.
Is the HSA contribution I receive for earning 800 POWER UP points in addition to the annual contribution Hess makes to my HSA?
Yes. The $375 HSA contribution you’ll receive from Hess in 2022 for reaching 800 points is in addition to the contribution Hess makes to your account each year. And, if your spouse or domestic partner is enrolled in the Hess Medical Plan and earns 400 POWER UP points, you will receive an additional $375 HSA contribution for a total of $750 from Hess.
What if I earned 800 points in 2021 but waive medical coverage in 2022?
Can I still get the $375 in my HSA?
No. You must be enrolled in the Hess Medical Plan and have an active HSA in order to receive the HSA contribution.
How do I order my fitness tracker?
You must first register on powerup.hess.com. Once you’ve logged in, and if you have not received a fitness tracker subsidy before, you will automatically receive a subsidy on your member portal that you can use toward purchasing any available fitness tracker from Virgin Pulse’s store.
Can I use the fitness tracker subsidy for any other wellness item on the Virgin Pulse store?
No. You are limited in using the subsidy for fitness trackers only.
How do I sync my tracker to powerup.hess.com or the Virgin Pulse app?
From your member portal on powerup.hess.com, click your profile at the top right, then click Devices & Apps. From there, you can search for a compatible device or app and follow the instructions to sync.
What is a health assessment?
A health assessment examines lifestyle habits through a series of questions about your health, activity and nutrition. It can show you areas that may be holding you back from achieving your wellness goals. You’ll earn 200 points when you complete your health assessment at powerup.hess.com or on the Virgin Pulse app. You can also complete a health assessment by calling Virgin Pulse at 1-888-671-9395.
How do I complete my biometric screening?
You have the option to have a biometric screening done onsite (if offered at your office location), through your doctor or at a Patient Service Center. A biometric screening provides you with a snapshot of your current health, including measurements for cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI). Complete your biometric screening and you’ll earn 200 points. On the powerup.hess.com home page, under the Programs section, click “Quest Diagnostic Biometric Screening” and follow the instructions to schedule your screening. Be sure to upload any necessary forms to the portal by the July 31 deadline.