Salus FAQ - EmpowerMe Wellness

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Job and Your Benefits

Will I keep my job?

Absolutely. No one will lose their job as part of the transition. However, as part of the onboarding process, we will ensure that each employee is in compliance with the State of Florida’s hiring criteria.

Plus, employees’ seniority with Salus will be honored by EmpowerMe — so if you have worked for Salus for three years, you will be eligible for the same benefits as an employee who has worked three years for EmpowerMe.

What will happen with my current PTO?

All of your accumulated Salus PTO will be rolled over into EmpowerMe’s system. You will begin accruing PTO based on EmpowerMe’s PTO policy effective April 1, 2022.

As an evaluating therapist, what onboarding steps are needed?

All evaluating therapists must complete the following by Friday, March 11, 2022:

Download and complete the Credentialing Intake Form
Email the following to [email protected]:
Your completed Credentialing Intake Form
Diploma(s) or official transcripts
License(s)
ASHA card (for speech therapists only)
Upon receiving an email from CMS, click on the link to log into your CMS account and approve EmpowerMe Wellness for NPPES and PECOS.

If you have questions, please see the Credentialing FAQ and How to Apply for a NPI, or email [email protected].

Will there be a payroll cycle change? Will the payroll company change?

You will continue to be paid biweekly on every other Friday. The pay cycle will continue to run Sunday through Saturday; however, instead of being paid two weeks after the pay period ends, you will be paid one week after the pay period ends.

Last Salus Paycheck: You will be paid April 15 for a partial 12-day pay period (March 20-31).
First EmpowerMe Paycheck: You will be paid April 15 for a partial 9-day pay period (April 1-9).
First FULL EmpowerMe Paycheck: You will be paid April 29 for your first full 14-day pay period with EmpowerMe.

You will not see any benefit deductions on your April 1 or April 15 Salus paychecks. April benefit deductions will be made on your April 15 and April 29 EmpowerMe paychecks.

Your Gusto access will remain active, enabling you to access your Salus W-2s, pay stubs, etc.

Will my benefits change?

Yes, but you will not experience a lapse in coverage. Your Salus benefits will end at 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2022, and your EmpowerMe benefits will begin at 12:00 a.m. on April 1, 2022.

EmpowerMe offers a comprehensive benefits package that provides options with rates that are comparable to Salus’ current offerings. Details about those benefits, including the Open Enrollment timeframe, will be shared in the “Introduction to EmpowerMe” Zoom meetings beginning the week of March 14.
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Be on the lookout for an email from EmpowerMe’s HR team for your invitation to the “Introduction to EmpowerMe” Zoom meetings.

Will our payroll company change?

Yes. EmpowerMe currently uses Paycom as their payroll processor. We will begin using Paycom on April 1, 2022.

Will my compensation change?

The pay structure will change, but your base rate will stay the same. On April 1, 2022, we will discontinue the use of Salus’ point system and migrate therapists over to EmpowerMe’s system, which tracks hours worked and compensates you at your current Salus administrative hourly rate. This will ensure that you are being paid for all the services you provide within the communities.

For employees in corporate roles, you will continue to be paid your current salary or hourly rate.

What changes can we expect for the 401(k) program?

Salus’ 401(k) plan will no longer be offered; however, EmpowerMe offers a 401(k) plan that you may choose to participate in. To participate, employees must be employed with either Salus or EmpowerMe for one year. Additional information about the EmpowerMe plan will be coming soon to help you make the right financial decision for you and your loved ones.

Day-to-Day Life at EmpowerMe

Will I report to a new manager or department? Will our staffing model change?

For the time being, you will continue to report to the same person you do now. However, this transition will open up new career growth opportunities for corporate and therapy team members alike. Plus, we intend to add more staff to help grow the services we offer our communities. For example, we plan to add speech therapists to the current physical and occupational teams to better serve our residents.

Will EmpowerMe continue reimbursing therapists for their CEUs?

EmpowerMe will provide therapists with a subscription to MedBridge Education Platform. All full-time employees will have unlimited access to over 450 continuing education courses, live webinars, certification prep programs, certificate programs, and much more. Part-time employees will have partial access to MedBridge as well.

Will we still log in to work the same way?

We will be transitioning to EmpowerMe’s Paycom system for time and attendance. You will be registered into the system and shown how to use it well in advance to ensure you are paid properly. The date for this change will be forthcoming.

What is EmpowerMe’s current policy for COVID-19 vaccination?

EmpowerMe has a similar vaccination policy to Salus’. As a condition of employment, employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 unless they have a medical or religious exemption. Currently, EmpowerMe recommends the booster vaccination for those who are eligible, but it is not required. They will honor any pre-existing religious or medical exemptions that current employees have in writing with Salus.

Will there be an orientation process?

EmpowerMe will provide in-person orientation on April 4-5, 2022, for all therapists. Virtual options will also be available. Details on these trainings will be provided to you shortly. In the meantime, please save these dates.

For employees in non-clinical roles, your orientation will be scheduled separately. More details on your training dates will be coming soon.

Will the company be even busier as a result of this change?

We hope so — because that will mean we are helping improve the lives of more seniors! However, this will likely happen gradually over time, and we will change and expand personnel as necessary to manage any increases in volume. As a result, we believe this will lead to more career growth opportunities for our team members, including advancement within the company.

About EmpowerMe

Will the name of the company change?

Yes. Our name will change from “Salus” to “EmpowerMe Wellness.”

Will EmpowerMe provide Human Resources support?

Yes. EmpowerMe’s HR team will begin supporting Salus team members immediately.

What changes should we anticipate?

The goal of the transition is for this to be as seamless as possible for you, our communities, and the residents we serve. We anticipate that the first 60 days will include orientation meetings to ensure that all employees are given the training they need to be successful with EmpowerMe.

Will there be a new employee handbook?

Yes, there will be a new EmpowerMe handbook that will be provided to you during the hiring process.

What is the culture like at EmpowerMe?

One of the main reasons EmpowerMe is a great fit for us is the similarity in our cultures. Both companies are singularly focused on improving health care for seniors — we simply have different specialties in how we pursue this goal, which is why this partnership will make our company even stronger.

Will EmpowerMe provide Information Technology support?

Yes. EmpowerMe’s in-house IT team will begin providing technology support immediately.