Program Details

Overview

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Who can use this benefit? 

Backup care is available to eligible Hecker Fink employees. During the onboarding process, you may be prompted to provide your work email address to verify your eligibility.

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What's included in this benefit?

As an eligible Hecker Fink employee, you are able to use up to 15 backup care days per benefit year.

• The number of days is per employee, per benefit year—meaning you have 15 backup care days to use whether you are caring for a child or an aging loved one
• 2 out of the 15 days can be used for pet backup care through Rover
• 10 additional days will be provided to new parents within the first year of birth
• Unused backup care days do not roll over to the next year

Costs and Coverage:

Hecker Fink covers the cost of a backup care day up to $225 per day for any providers within Wellthy’s Care Network and $150 for pet backup care through Rover. You are responsible for any costs that go beyond the subsidized amount Hecker Fink provides.

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Provider Payment:

In order to request a reimbursement after you’ve paid a provider, you will be required to submit proof of payment which includes: who provided the care, the date when care was provided, and the amount paid. Examples of acceptable proof include:

• A receipt provided by a care program
• A screenshot of digital payment (e.g., PayPal, Zelle, or Venmo)
• A photo of a check written out to the care provider
  

‍Who can this benefit be used for?

Backup care can be used for your children, adult loved ones, or pets.

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Getting Started

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Activate your Wellthy Account

Visit wellthy.com/member/heckerfink to activate your Wellthy account. During the onboarding process, you may be prompted to provide your work email address to verify your eligibility.

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Tips for signing up

• Have your work email address on hand.
• If you think you’ll use this benefit at some point, register in advance to save time when you actually need care. Get ahead of emergencies and proactively:
  • Search Wellthy’s Care Network for providers in your area, or
  • Ask a Backup Care Specialist to search for you

How do I get in touch with Wellthy?

The Wellthy team is ready to support you! 

• Our digital platform is available 24 hours, 7 days/week
• For Backup Care requests, Backup Care Specialists are available Monday-Friday from 5am-1am ET and Saturday & Sunday from 5pm-1am ET via messaging on our platform or via phone (518) 243-8025
• For technical support, our Member Support team is available Monday-Friday 8am-10pm ET via phone (877) 588-3917 or via email (support@wellthy.com)

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Wellthy Care Network and Providers

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What kinds of providers will I find in Wellthy’s Care Network?

• In-Center Care: Safe and vetted childcare centers
• Community-Based Programs: Trusted programs located in your neighborhood
• In-Home Providers: Professional caregivers who come to your home

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Will I have options, or will I have to use a certain provider?

You will never be required to use a particular provider for Backup Care. Wellthy has created a Care Network of different types of vetted options for you to choose from and our Backup Care Specialists are here to help you find the best-fit provider with availability. Please note that proof of payment and documentation that care took place will be required in order to receive coverage.

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How do I know that the providers in Wellthy’s Care Network are high-quality, safe, and reliable?

Wellthy’s Care Network of backup care options are vetted providers that go through a rigorous screening process.

• In-Center Care: Wellthy verifies state and federal licensing, considers online reviews across multiple platforms and calls providers to confirm best fit.
• Community-Based Programs: Similar to the above, Wellthy assesses online reviews, contacts providers to ensure good fit, and checks licensing where applicable.
• In-Home Providers: Thorough review of past experience and comprehensive background checks (criminal, sex offender, SSN trace, global watchlist).

Please note: Wellthy does not directly employ or oversee any provider in the Care Network. Wellthy does not take responsibility for the final selection, whether they are sourced by Wellthy, the family, or through other means.

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Costs and Payments

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How much is Backup Care?

Hecker Fink covers the cost of a backup care day up to $225 per day for any providers within Wellthy’s Care Network and $150 for pet backup care through Rover. You are responsible for any costs that go beyond the subsidized amount Hecker Fink provides.

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What am I responsible for?

You are responsible for any amount beyond what is covered by Hecker Fink. You can use a personal credit or debit card for those costs.

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How does the care get paid for?

You will pay the provider directly, request a reimbursement through Wellthy, and submit appropriate evidence to receive reimbursement.

Here are a few examples of the various scenarios:

1. Wellthy reserves an in-home provider for 6 hours, $25/hour
   
   • You will pay the provider $150 for the full day, save proof of payment to be eligible for a reimbursement up to $150
   • You will be charged 1 Backup Care day
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2. Wellthy reserves care at a community childcare center for the full day at $225/day‍
   • You will pay the community childcare center $225 for the full day, save proof of payment to be eligible for a reimbursement up to $225
   • You will be charged 1 Backup Care day‍
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3. Wellthy books 3 days of adult in-home care for $300/day
   • You will pay provider $900 total, save proof of payment to be eligible for a reimbursement up to $675
   • You will be charged 3 Backup Care days

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Can I schedule Backup Care on my own and get reimbursed?

Yes, you can reserve the care on your own, pay the provider, collect a receipt for the payment, and request a reimbursement on the Wellthy platform by completing a reimbursement form which includes: who provided the care, the date when care was provided, and the amount paid. Examples of acceptable proof include:

• A receipt provided by a care program
• A screenshot of digital payment (e.g., PayPal, Zelle, or Venmo)
• A photo of a check written out to the care provider

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How long will it take to get my reimbursement?

Once the appropriate documentation is submitted, a Backup Care Specialist will review within 1 business day. If approved, you’ll receive your reimbursement within 5–7 business days.

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How long do I have to submit for reimbursement?

You have 30 days from the date of care to submit your reimbursement request. Be sure to allow enough time for your request to be reviewed, approved, and processed before the deadline.

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Backup Care Allowance

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What if I use up all of my Backup Care days for the year and I need more?

Once you’ve used your allotted Backup Care days for the year, you can continue to use Wellthy’s Care Network to search for and book care on your own. While you will be responsible for covering the total cost of care out-of-pocket, Wellthy’s Backup Care Specialists will remain available to support you with finding and coordinating care.

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If I have Backup Care days left over at the end of the year, can I roll them over to the next year?

No, unused Backup Care days do not roll over. You’ll receive a new set of days each year based on Hecker Fink's program. 

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What if my spouse/partner and I work for Hecker Fink?

You and your partner are both eligible for your individual allowance. Each employee would need to set up their profile within the Wellthy platform

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How can I use my days across multiple loved ones?

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Employee has one child and one aging adult

• Care for their child = one backup care day
• Care for their aging loved one = one backup care day
• Care for their child and aging loved one on same day with the same provider = one backup care day
• Care for their child and aging loved one on the same day with different providers (eg. daycare and in-home aide) = two backup care days

Employee has two children

• In-home care for two children with one caregiver = one backup care day (in-home providers charge by the hour, not per child)
• In-center care at the same care facility for both children = two backup care days (care facilities charges per child)
• In-center care for two children at two different centers = two backup care days
• Care only for one child = counted as one backup care day

Employee has three children

• In-home care for three children with one caregiver = one backup care day (in-home providers charge by the hour, not per child)
• In-center care at the same care facility for all children = three backup care days (care facilities charges per child)
• In-center care for three children at three different centers = three backup care days
• Care only for one child = counted as one backup care day

Please note that these are examples, and provider requirements may vary. Wellthy will always provide clear, upfront information so you know exactly how many days will be deducted for your backup care request.

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Cancellation Policy

Note: Cancellation policies vary per provider. Wellthy will provide clear expectations around each of the providers cancellation policies when booking care so you know in advance.

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If you need to cancel care more than 24 hours before the scheduled care start time

As long as the cancellation occurs within the provider’s cancellation policy, you can ask your Backup Care Specialist to cancel or contact the provider directly to cancel.

• You will not be charged a Backup Care day use.
• In some cases, providers may request payment in advance of care to hold the spot. Wellthy will provide clear expectations around each of the providers cancellation policies when booking care so you know in advance.
• Backup Care Specialists will request a refund from the provider; however it is not guaranteed.

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If you need to cancel care less than 24 hours before the scheduled care start time

You can ask your Backup Care Specialist to cancel or contact the provider directly to cancel.

• You will be charged a Backup Care day use.
• You will be charged your copay and you will not be eligible to receive a refund.
• In some cases, providers may request payment in advance of care to hold the spot. Wellthy will provide clear expectations around each of the providers cancellation policies when booking care so you know in advance.

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What if the provider cancels my confirmed reservation?

Your Backup Care Specialist will make every effort to secure care for you promptly. In these situations, we encourage you to leverage your own personal network for added support.

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If care was not secured after the cancellation:

• You will not be charged a Backup Care day use.
• All payments will be refunded back according to the type of payment made.

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FAQs

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Can Wellthy’s Backup Care Specialists find and schedule backup care for me?

Yes! Backup Care Specialists are here to help you find and secure care when you need care. They can also proactively help you build a list of potential options for when the time comes — this is called building your Backup Care Circle. Backup Care Specialists are available Monday - Friday from 5am to 1am ET and Saturdays and Sundays from 5pm to 1am ET.

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What’s a Backup Care Circle?

A Backup Care Circle is like a ‘speed dial’ of your preferred and vetted providers. It’s a great planning tool you can turn to when you have to schedule an urgent or planned backup care need.

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How do I build a Backup Care Circle?

On your dashboard, click “Build your Backup Care Circle”. There you will be given options to choose providers from the Wellthy’s Care Network.

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What happens if I don’t have a Backup Care Circle when I need to schedule care?

You can either explore Wellthy’s Care Network by clicking, “Find Providers” button and schedule care on your own or enlist the help of a Backup Care Specialist by clicking the “Schedule Care” button, answer a few questions and schedule care on your own or connect with a Backup Care Specialist and they will help you find safe and reliable providers in your area.

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Can I provide feedback about my care experience using Wellthy’s Backup Care?

Once the care event is completed, connect with your Backup Care Specialist for any immediate feedback you would like to share. You will also receive a Wellthy survey by email.

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Is backup care only for when I am at work?

Yes, backup care helps you cover unexpected gaps in your regular care, allowing you to come to work without needing to use your sick leave or vacation time.

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Can I utilize backup care for my loved one who has different abilities (eg. neurodivergent, physical limitations, etc)?

Yes, Wellthy can help locate appropriate options for your loved one with diverse needs.

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If my child is sick, can I use Backup Care?

Yes, you can use backup care when your child is sick, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Most group care settings, like daycare centers, programs, camps, and clinics, won’t accept children who are minorly ill or have an injury (e.g. fever above 100°F, a mild cold, cough, sniffles, or a minor injury) 
• In-Home care can be a great option as long as the caregiver understands your child is mildly ill and is comfortable with their condition.

We encourage families to proactively build their Backup Care Circle when possible. Don’t forget, Backup Care Specialists are here to help you build a reliable backup care plan for your family!

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