November Issue - Special Open Enrollment Edition

The Torch
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Enroll online starting Oct. 30

This special edition is dedicated to 2020 Open Enrollment. Please review all the enclosed information concerning your health care coverage. During this period, you can choose to make additions or changes to your benefit selections.

All Open Enrollment communications, including carrier information, rates and plan summaries, are posted on the Open Enrollment 2020 website:
www.in.gov/spd/openenrollment.

This information applies to state employees eligible for benefits and does not apply to conservation officers, excise officers, Indiana State Police plan participants, temporary employees or contractors.


Eligibility requirements

There are no medical, dental, or vision pre-existing condition limitations for participants on the state’s plans. All active, full-time employees, and elected or appointed officials are eligible to participate. Dependents of eligible employees may be covered under the state’s benefit plans. In order for dependents to be covered, the employee must be covered.

For the purpose of benefits eligibility, full-time employees are defined as active employees whose regular work schedule is at least 30 hours per week. Part-time, intermittent, and hourly (temporary) employees who work an average of 30 or more hours per week over a 12-month review period are also eligible for benefits. Part-time, intermittent, and hourly (temporary) employees working less than 30 or more hours per week over a 12-month review period are not eligible for insurance or related benefits.


Help sessions

Need assistance entering elections and navigating PeopleSoft? In-person help sessions with benefits experts are available. All sessions are located in IGC-S Training Room 31.

  • Oct. 30 to Nov. 1: 8 a.m. to noon
  • Nov. 4 to Nov. 8: noon to 4 p.m.
  • Nov. 12 to Nov. 19: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Nov. 20: 9 a.m. to noon

If you have specific questions about Open Enrollment not answered on the Indiana State Personnel Department’s website, contact a Benefits Specialist:


When do my 2019 Open Enrollment changes take effect?

Medical, dental and vision changes/enrollments:

  • Effective: Jan. 1, 2020
  • First Deduction: Dec. 23, 2019 (3 days of 2019 rates; 11 days of 2020 rates)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Commuter Benefit Reimbursement Account, and Health Savings Account (HSA) changes/enrollments:

  • Effective: Jan. 1, 2020
  • First Deduction: Jan. 8, 2020

Life insurance changes/enrollments:

  • Effective: Jan. 12, 2020
  • First Deduction: Jan. 8, 2020

For direct bill agency employees, your benefits will be effective Jan. 1, 2020. For deduction information, please see your agency’s Payroll Department.


Look again–find the right fit: 2020 changes to medical plans

Changes are coming to the medical plans offered in 2020. Now more than ever, it is important to make time to carefully review all of your options. Don’t be taken by surprise, check out all of your options below.

The state will be offering three statewide medical plans for 2020: Consumer-Driven Health Plan 1 (CDHP1), Consumer-Driven Health Plan 2 (CDHP2), and the Traditional Plan. All three available plans are in the National (BlueCard) PPO network with Anthem and have a prescription drug plan through CVS Caremark. Each plan has differences in premium costs, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.

Full details on page 3 >


Vision Plan–Focus on Saving You Money

Vision and health conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can be revealed and detected early through a comprehensive eye exam. An annual exam with dilation will only cost you $10.00 at an in-network provider. Take care of your vision and overall health by taking the initiative to have an exam completed this year.

In addition to the exam, the plan allows for frames every 2 calendar years and lenses, including contact lenses, every calendar year. For frames the plan has a $150 allowance with a $25 standard lenses co-payment when using an in-network provider.

Full details on page 8 >


Commuter Benefit Reimbursement Account – Newly Added Benefit

Have you considered using the new red line bus to commute to and from work? Or do you currently travel to work by train, vanpool, subway, or some other type of mass transit? If so, a Commuter Benefit Reimbursement Account may be just what you have been looking for.

Effective Jan. 1, 2020 the state will be offering a Commuter Benefit Reimbursement Account administered by ASIFlex. Under this account, you can set aside money from your paycheck, pretax, to pay for work-related commuting expenses.

Full details on page 14 >


Looking for plan rates?

View the 2020 plan rates >

Download the complete rate chart >

Download the latest issue of The Torch

You can download the state employee newsletter from the Indiana State Personnel Department (INSPD) website.

In this issue:

  • The 2020 Open Enrollment checklist (pg. 2)
  • Look again–find the right fit: 2020 changes to medical plans (pg. 3)
  • Changes to Traditional Prescription Coverage (pg. 4)
  • Anthem offers support to help achieve health goals (pg. 5)
  • Anthem’s 24 hour NurseLine (pg. 5)
  • Anthem Launches New App: Sydney (pg. 5)
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits (pg. 6)
  • Have you tried LiveHealth Online (pg. 7)
  • Vision Plan - Focus on you money (pg. 8)
  • Dental benefits remain the same for 2020 (pg. 9)
  • PeopleSoft login and online self-service instruction guide (pg. 9)
  • Non-emergent Emergency Room visits may be denied (pg. 10)
  • State continues to contribute to Health Savings Account (pg. 11)
  • HSAs have a maximum contribution limit (pg. 11)
  • Medicare, Medicaid and HIP disqualify you from having a Health Savings Account (HSA) (pg. 12)
  • State plans provide creditable coverage (pg. 12)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (pg. 13)
  • CVS partners with the state to offer flu vaccine (pg. 13)
  • Commuter Benefit Reimbursement Account - Newly Added Benefit (pg. 14)
  • Update: Non-Tobacco Use Incentive revised for 2020 (pg. 14)
  • Review & update your life
    insurance beneficiary information (pg. 15)
  • HIPAA Notice of Special Enrollment Rights (pg. 15)
  • Women’s Health & Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (pg. 15)
  • Life Insurance Enhancements: Special Enrollment Opportunity and Premium Reduction (pg. 16)
  • New membership ID cards (pg. 16)
  • Life Insurance - Are you prepared? (pg. 17)
  • Don’t forget to get your annual physical (pg. 17)
  • Children covered to the end of the month they turn 26 years of age (pg. 18)
  • Qualifying events allow for changes throughout the year (pg. 18)
  • Affordable Care Act: Section 6055 and 6056 (pg. 19)
  • Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act of 1996 (pg. 19)
  • Wellness Survey (pg. 19)
  • Make sure your dependents are eligible (pg. 20)
  • Dual coverage is not allowed under any benefit plan (pg. 20)

Miss an issue? Archived issues of The Torch are available at www.in.gov/spd/2540.htm.


Plan to get your flu shot

CVS is partnering with the State to offer flu shot clinics at many state facilities across Indiana. 

Find a location near you or attend a clinic at the South Government Center or Statehouse Atrium. 

Click here for more info >


Contact Us

Email the SPD Communications staff if you have any problems viewing the newsletter, subscription questions or if you would like to suggest an article.

The Torch is published monthly by the State Personnel Department