This is a brief description of the benefits provided by Sparrow Hospital. This summary is intended only to provide an overview. Residents are welcome to review the detailed policies in the Human Resource or Medical Education offices. Employee benefit plans are reviewed at least annually and changes may be mandated by governmental regulation or may be desirable from the employer's standpoint. The employer reserves the right to add, terminate, alter or replace the various benefit programs.

I. RESIDENT/SUBSPECIALTY RESIDENT STIPEND

Residents and Subspecialty Residents are paid an education stipend, as specified in their contract, which is payable in biweekly installments.

II. OTHER FINANCIAL BENEFITS

• Continuing Medical Education (CME) - Sparrow Hospital provides a CME allowance of $600 for first year residents and $1000 for each subsequent year. Residents will be reimbursed for CME expenses in accordance with hospital policy and subject to procedure established by the appropriate residency director. Unused CME funds at annual contract expiration are forfeited. The Human Resources policy on tuition reimbursement does not apply to residents.
• License Fees - Each residency year, Sparrow will pay the full cost of a Michigan "Educational Limited License" and the Michigan "Controlled Substance License" or will prorate the cost of the permanent licenses for the period the resident is in a Sparrow residency program, after their first year. Federal DEA license fees are the responsibility of the resident.
• Personal Loans - Personal Loans may be arranged through the Medical Credit Union. Advance loans, up to $500, prior to actual starting date (for moving, etc.) may be arranged as a payroll deduction. Requests for such loans are made through the Director of Medical Education.
• Meal Allowance - Each resident will receive meals while on duty at Sparrow Hospital consistent with the resident meal allowance policy. Annually the hospital approves a total resident meal fund that is allocated to the residency programs.

III. DUTY HOURS AND TIME OFF

The purpose of resident education programs offered by Sparrow Hospital is education. Sparrow recognizes that quality education can only be provided when quality patient care is foremost with attending and resident physicians. In order for a resident to achieve optimal educational benefit and patients to achieve optimum patient care, a variety of duty hours are necessary. The hours of duty and responsibilities of residents will be determined by the Residency Programs in conformance with standards set by Accrediting Agencies, specialty guidelines, and high standards for the specialty care patients. Resident agrees to limit duty hours, including in-house call, to 80 hours per week, averaged over a four-week period. All residents must have at least one 24 hour day out of seven days, on average, free of all patient care responsibilities, and should be on call no more than every third night when averaged over a four week period. A resident must report any violations of duty hours rules to his/her Program Director and/or to Graduate Medical Education. Time off for any reason must receive prior approval of the Residency Director. Residents must be responsible for understanding that accreditation, graduation licensing and board eligibility may all be affected by Leaves of Absence from a Residency Program. If there is any doubt about the effects of a Leave of Absence on graduation, accreditation, licensing, or board eligibility, the Resident is responsible for obtaining written clarification prior to taking the Leave of Absence. The Program Director may provide guidance and assistance. Leaves of absence must follow Human Resources’ policies.

• Family and Medical Leave - Resident is eligible to take up to 12 work weeks (or a 12 week equivalent in certain circumstances) of F&M Leave provided the Associate has worked for Sparrow for at least one year prior to requesting the leave, and has worked for at least 1,250 hours over the previous twelve months.
• Vacation Days - Residents are allowed ten (10) working days of vacation in their first year, and fifteen (15) days per year thereafter, which must be requested and taken in accordance with the policies set forth on the vacation request form. Vacation is a yearly benefit and will not carry over from one year to the next
• Holidays - All residents shall abide by the standard hospital holiday policy. Currently, six holidays are recognized (Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, and Fourth of July). If a resident is on duty during a holiday, they may schedule an equivalent day off at another time, during the same rotation, with the approval of their Chief Instructor, Residency Director and the Director of Medical Education. Holiday on call rotations are established in the monthly schedule and any subsequent changes are to be made directly between the individuals involved and approved by the Resident's Program Director.
• Personal Days - During their first year, residents may have two (2) personal days off, and thereafter three (3) personal days off per year with prior approval of the Residency Director.
• Educational Leave - Educational leave, with a maximum of five (5) working days with pay, will be allowed when approved in advance by the Program Director or the Director of Medical Education (DME). Educational leave is not considered vacation.
• Military Service Leave - Military service leave is allowed without pay consistent with Human Resources policy. Arrangements for a military service leave is to be made through the Program Director with approval by the Director of Medical Education.
• Sickness - A resident who is disabled due to a personal injury or personal illness including pregnancy will receive 100% of their base pay, less withholding taxes, for regularly scheduled days missed beginning on the first working day missed due to personal injury or personal illness, and ending upon the earlier of cessation of the injury/illness or 120 calendar days after the first day of absence. Official training period credit may be withheld for a sick leave of greater than five consecutive days, based on policies of individual programs and their accreditation agency. At the discretion of the Program Director and the Director of Medical Education, the time of the total program may be extended to an amount equal to the extent of the sick leave.
• Other - Other Leave(s) may be granted consistent with Hospital policy.

IV. INSURANCE

Residents are eligible for the standard Hospital insurance coverage as defined in the Human Resources policies as they exist from time to time. Residents are subject to conditions and details of these policies. Below is a summary:

• Professional Liability Insurance - Sparrow provides residents with professional liability insurance coverage which provides legal defense and protection against awards from claims for alleged acts or omissions of the residents provided these acts or omissions are within the scope of the Residency Education Program, regardless of when the claim is reported or filed. SPARROW PROVIDES NO INSURANCE COVERAGE OF ANY KIND FOR LEGAL DEFENSE OR LIABILITY AWARDS INCURRED AS A RESULT OF MOONLIGHTING ACTIVITIES. The hospital and the residents agree to cooperate fully with the insurance company in the handling of any professional liability claim. Failure on the part of a resident to cooperate in the defense of a claim may result in a loss of insurance coverage.
• Health Insurance - Residents and their immediate family are eligible for Health Insurance in one of the following programs: Sparrow Physicians Health Network, Physicians Health Plan or Major Medical Plan. Health Insurance coverage is effective the first of the month following the resident's starting date. A Resident’s spouse who has available insurance coverage must be covered by such coverage, provided the spouse’s premium cost share under the spouse’s available plan does not exceed $50 per month. A spouse would then be eligible to be covered by Sparrow’s health plan as secondary. Residents must contribute toward the cost of this coverage. Residents may elect to opt out of health insurance coverage and receive a waiver of coverage bonus of $50.00 per month, if they provide proof of having health insurance coverage through a source other than an entity wholly owned by Sparrow Health System. These insurance programs provide coverage for inpatient and outpatient medical, psychological, and consulting services. Residents also may participate in the Associate Assistance Program for confidential informal issues or concerns.
• Disability Insurance - Longterm disability insurance is provided to protect the resident's income in the event of a disabling illness or injury. The insurance becomes effective the first of the month, following six (6) months of employment. 60% of base monthly earnings after 120 day waiting period are payable until the end of disability or age 65, whichever occurs first. You may purchase a policy to increase the amount to 66 2/3% of base monthly earnings.
• Life Insurance - Term life insurance is provided for the resident in an amount equal to two times their annual base salary rounded to the nearest thousand dollars. The insurance is effective the first of the month following (6) months of employment. Supplemental and/or Dependent life insurance coverage are available at the resident's expense.
• Dental Insurance - Dental insurance is provided for both preventative and diagnostic services. Choice of two plans: Delta Dental Plan of Michigan and Midwestern Dental. The insurance is effective the first of the month following (6) months of employment. Residents must contribute toward the cost of this coverage.
• FlexCare Spending Accounts - Residents may voluntarily participate within 31 days of hire in the FlexCare Spending Account program which provides the opportunity for reimbursement on a pretax basis of covered health care and dependent care expenses.
• Tax Deferred 403(b) Annuities - Residents may voluntarily elect to begin retirement savings on a pretax basis through payroll deduction to the offered investment options.

V. MEDICAL CARE AND PHARMACEUTICAL

• All members of Sparrow House Staff are given a preliminary complete physical examination, including the indicated laboratory and radiological workup, without expense to them. Indicated recommendations are made and the followup is at the individual's discretion.
• House Staff and their dependents may arrange for health care through the Family Practice Program.
• Professional Courtesy - Waiver of physician fees can be arranged as professional courtesy only upon prior discussion with the physician involved in medical care to you or your family.
• The hospital will charge for any services/equipment provided (Xrays, lab procedures, bed occupancy, etc.) although these may be covered by the Resident's medical insurance and the Resident will be billed after any insurance coverage is utilized. Sparrow Hospital assumes no financial responsibility for medical care not covered under the provided health insurance.
• Residents are eligible for discounts in services and products as specified in Human Resources policies including pharmaceuticals, home care services, inpatient and outpatient services not covered by insurance, and health care supplies. 

VI. OTHER BENEFITS

• Parking - Hospital parking privileges will be provided freeofcharge.
• Faculty Appointment - The resident may be eligible for a clinical faculty appointment at an appropriate level, by the Michigan State University Colleges of Human or Osteopathic Medicine.
• Quarters - Call quarters are provided for duty periods. The Hospital provides no housing for residents other than the on-call quarters.
• Day Care - Residents are eligible to receive the associate discount for day care expenses at the Sparrow Child Time Day Care Center.

Employee benefit plans are reviewed at least annually and changes may be mandated by governmental regulation or may be desirable from the employer's standpoint. The employer reserves the right to add, terminate, alter, or replace the various benefit programs.