Recently passed contracts bring changes to your benefits
The Minnesota Legislature recently approved the labor
contracts and compensation plans containing the insurance changes Minnesota
Management and Budget negotiated last summer. This is the final step in the
contract approval process and the State is now implementing the contracts and
plans. There are three insurance benefit changes that we would like you to be
aware of:
1. Enhanced dental benefits
An expanded
benefit set and increased premium will take effect on January 1, 2019. Due to
the higher premium, employees will be offered a new opportunity to add or drop
coverage during Open Enrollment for 2019 which happens this fall.
Effective January
1, 2019, new benefits will include:
-
No
copayment for sealants
- Orthodontia
benefits are available to any member
-
Benefits
that were previously at 50% in-network are now covered at 80% in-network (after
deductible)
-
Implants
will be covered at 80% (after deductible)
-
Annual
maximum benefit will be $2,000 (excluding orthodontia)
The employee
share of the monthly premiums will increase to $13.50 for single coverage. Watch
for more details later this fall on rates for family coverage.
2. Zero copay for in-network convenience
clinics and online care
Copays for in-network convenience care clinics and online
care will be eliminated beginning May 1, 2018.
Your medical plan administrator will send you a new
membership card listing this change for you and your dependents to use
beginning May 1, 2018.
Convenience clinics and online care are fast and easy
options for basic health care needs such as colds, flu, pink eye, allergy and
many other conditions. Care clinic staff can diagnose, treat and write
prescriptions for many routine medical conditions. You do not need a referral
to access care online or through a convenience clinic.
To find an in-network convenience care clinic near you, visit
your medical plan
administrator’s website.
To locate online care, visit either of these two providers:
-
Doctor on Demand at
www.doctorondemand.com/bluecross
- Virtuwell at www.virtuwell.com
Contact your medical plan administrator with any questions
or for help finding in-network convenience care clinics.
Note for enrollees in
the High-Deductible Health Plan: care accessed online and at convenience
clinics is subject to a deductible in the HDHP. Effective May 1, 2018, HDHP
enrollees will have access to online care and convenience care at no
out-of-pocket cost after the annual deductible is satisfied.
3. New disability enrollment
opportunity
Beginning May 1, 2018, insurance-eligible employees who move
from temporary to permanent status will have an opportunity to elect Short
Term Disability (STD) and/or Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage within their
benefits enrollment period.
This change is limited. It does not allow employees who
already have STD and/or LTD in place to increase their benefit. The change only
applies to employees who do not have the coverage.
After May 1, 2018, eligible employees who experience a
temporary-to-permanent status change will be contacted by SEGIP about their
enrollment opportunity.
Keep tabs on our blood pressure
Ensuring your blood pressure is – and stays – within the
healthy range is important. Consistent high blood pressure (hypertension) puts
an abnormal force of blood through the arteries and over time can damage your heart,
blood vessels, and kidneys. Regular physicals will determine if your blood
pressure is within the healthy range.
If you develop hypertension, all is not lost. Habits such as
cutting back on sodium in your diet, dropping those extra pounds,
and being active may help manage your blood pressure numbers. Your doctor will
talk with you about care options.
These sources offer additional insights:
High
Blood Pressure (Hypertension) 101
Questions
to Ask your Doctor
Slideshow: High
Blood Pressure Quiz-How Much Do you Know?
|
Getting active to control high blood pressure
Having high blood
pressure and not getting enough exercise are closely related. Your risk of high
blood pressure (hypertension) increases with age, but getting some exercise can
make a big difference. And if your blood pressure is already high, exercise can
help you control it. Don't think you've got to run a marathon or join a gym.
Instead, start slow and work more physical activity into your daily routine. Discover how
small changes in your daily
routine can make a big difference!
|
What is the DCEA?
The
Dependent Care (Daycare) Expense Account (DCEA) is a pretax account
administered by 121 Benefits. The DCEA allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars
to pay for daycare expenses for children under the age of 13 or for adult
daycare for a disabled spouse or other disabled dependent. To qualify, the
primary purpose of the expense must be to care for the dependent so you can
work (or look for work).
Remember
that the DCEA is for daycare-type expenses only – it does not cover medical or
dental expenses for your tax-qualified dependents. Unreimbursed medical or
dental expenses for your tax-qualified dependents fall under the Medical/Dental
Expense Account (MDEA).
Contact
SEGIP immediately if you elected the DCEA but have no eligible dependents for
the account. In most cases, the DCEA contributions can be refunded to the
employee as taxable income in the year in which the deductions occurred.
The
annual federal family combined maximum contribution towards the DCEA is $5,000.
Please consult with your tax preparer if you have questions regarding your
particular tax filing situation.
More
information on the DCEA is available in the 2018 Pre-tax Plan Summary, which
can be found at 121 Benefits website.
|
Securely
submit forms, documents, and other information easily to 121 Benefits.
To protect the security and privacy of your data, 121
Benefits will no longer accept claim forms, documentation, or other attachments
by email. To submit your forms securely, register for or log in to your
personal account at www.121benefits.com
or use 121 Benefits’ mobile app (it is called Benefits at 121 Benefits).
You may also mail or fax your claim form and documentation
to 121 Benefits:
-
Mailing address: 121 Benefits, 730 Second Avenue South, Suite 400, 730
Building, Minneapolis, MN 55402-2446.
|
Duplicate
parking or mass transit deductions?
Review your paychecks to determine if you have both a
Payroll Deduction Account administered through your agency and have also
elected a Transit Expense Account for either Parking (PKEA) or mass transit
(BVEA), which are administered by 121 Benefits. The parking contract or metro
pass through your agency is already deducted on a pre-tax basis and these same
expenses cannot be reimbursed again through your PKEA or BVEA. If you have
duplicate deductions and do not have additional eligible expenses that allow
you to use both accounts, stop one of the accounts or risk losing the excess
deductions. For more information, please contact SEGIP or your agency HR
office.
|
LifeMatters has a new website
LifeMatters, the State of Minnesota’s Employee Assistance
Program, recently upgraded its website.
Users say that the new colorful tile design requires fewer clicks and makes it
easier to find the information they want. The upgrade includes a more user-friendly
display to accommodate mobile and tablet users. Quick links on the home page
provide popular tools like caregiving resources, webinars, and the free Wellbeing
Profile.
This powerful site still connects to 20,000 articles,
videos, forms, and calculators for topics from mortgages to pet care to
communication tips for any relationship, and everything in between.
State employees and family members may contact LifeMatters 24/7
by phone at 800-657-3719. You can also connect by secure text, email, or video
counseling and chat by appointment.
The online password for
this valuable employee benefit is “stmn1”.
|
| 
