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January 8, 2025
 Tammy Bennett is your NSE Coordinator for the State Employee Health Plan. For any questions or assistance while serving your employees, please reach out to Tammy at Tamara.Bennett@ks.gov.
Tammy can also make sure you or a new member of your HR staff are added to the SEHP mailing list.
 Personnel Officer/HR Training sessions for 2025!
In 2025, the SEHP will be hosting a series of Teams meetings for Personnel Officers and HR staff outside of the Open Enrollment season. The purpose of these meetings is to focus on specific benefit areas and provide additional information and resources to help you effectively handle inquiries and communications with employees.
The Teams meetings will allow attendees to interact and discuss the topics covered during each session. Currently, four sessions are scheduled for 2025. We encourage you to join and engage with the SEHP and various vendors as we explore the benefits available to our employees.
We’re kicking off these sessions with the first one scheduled for Tuesday, January 21st, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. This session will provide Personnel Officers and HR staff with essential information about the steps employees and HR staff need to take when an employee is considering retirement.
Email SEHPBenefits@ks.gov with questions.
 Chat, our benefits chatbot powered by ALEX, is available 24/7 to give you instant answers to all your burning benefits questions.
Chat is great for:
- Looking up plan details
- Tracking down account links
- Decoding benefits jargon
- Quick questions after hours (even when the rest of your benefits team is sleeping)
Not sure what to ask?
- What’s my deductible?
- How is mental health covered?
- How do I find a Network doctor?
- How do I contact the SEHP?
- What is my EAP?
 Here are two online tools to help you find the best price for your medical procedure in 2025:
Healthcare Cost Comparison Tools
For Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Members
You have FREE access to SmartShopper, a tool that can help you save on healthcare costs! Did you know that prices for the same in-network procedure can vary dramatically between providers? With SmartShopper, you can:
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Compare Costs: Search for medical care and compare costs for the same high-quality, in-network procedure across different providers.
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Save Money: By shopping for medical care, you can choose the most cost-effective option without compromising on quality.
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Earn Cash Rewards: You can earn a cash reward as a share of the savings when you choose a lower-cost option.
Don't overpay for healthcare—use SmartShopper today to make smarter healthcare choices. Learn More.
For Aetna Members
Aetna Members also have FREE access to Healthcare Bluebook, a convenient tool to help you make informed decisions about your healthcare costs:
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Shop for Procedures: Easily search for medical procedures through Healthcare Bluebook’s website or mobile app.
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Find Fair Prices: Compare the cost of services and find facilities in your area that offer the same high-quality care at a more affordable price.
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Earn Cash Rewards: You can earn a cash reward as a share of the savings when you choose a lower-cost option.
Start making smarter healthcare choices today with Healthcare Bluebook! Learn More.
- January 1, 2025 starts a new year to earn 40 credits. Track your credits through the HealthQuest portal.
- Call the HealthQuest Health Center at (785) 783-4080 to schedule your flu shot or COVID vaccine or booster today.
WEBINARS
 Help Available to Employees to Protect Yourself from Fraud
Fraud during January isn't limited to stolen credit cards; all types of fraud experience an uptick during this month. Fraudsters target financial accounts, including FSAs, HRAs, and HSAs, attempting to change account details and make unauthorized claims and transactions.
While it's impossible to eliminate all risks, there are measures you can take to help protect your accounts:
- Stay Alert with Notifications
Make sure you've opted in to all available communications, both mobile and email. If you notice changes in your account data followed by a request for an outbound payment, report it immediately.
If you spot any suspicious activity, act immediately to correct or remove false information from your account. Quick action can prevent unauthorized payments and help recover funds if a payment has already been made.
- Enhance Security Features
Consider using additional fraud prevention tools, such as delaying direct deposits and bill payments after changing your email or phone number, and setting limits on distributions.
Treat the risk management procedures for your consumer-driven healthcare accounts with the same importance as your bank’s procedures. Regularly update your login credentials and verify your contact information (email, phone, address, and direct deposit details) to keep your account details current.
 Help Available to Employees
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has resources to help with life issues.
- The EAP offers a wide range of services at no cost to employees and members of their household, including: work guidance support, lifestyle questions/issues, financial guidance and much more.
- For employers with 50+ employees, formalized training programs are also provided either virtually or in-person.
Starting January 1, 2025, Surency is the new voluntary prescription eyewear provider.
Welcome to your Surency voluntary prescription eyewear plan
Here are just a few things you can do easily once you Create your member account:
- Order glasses online
- Search for Network providers and participating retailers
- View the Basic and Enhanced benefit summaries
- Check your vision eligibility
- Submit claims for reimbursement
- Print ID cards
Learn more about your Surency benefits online.
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If you are enrolled in any SEHP medical plan and you use a Network Provider with either Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas or Aetna, your first eye visit, regardless of reason or diagnosis each year, is covered at 100%.
The SEHP medical plans allow one eye visit per calendar year which means you do not have to wait 365 days between eye visits.
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CONTACT LIST
Membership Services (785) 368-6361
Email
Health Plan Operations (785) 368-6361
Email
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- Understanding Your Benefits
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HealthQuest (785) 783-4080
Email
- HealthQuest Wellness Program
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- HealthQuest Health Center
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- Employee Assistance Program
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