At its October 3, 2024, meeting, the Group Insurance Board approved changes to the Group Life Insurance Program. Currently, employees are covered beginning the day they complete their life insurance enrollment, though premiums do not begin until the first of the month 30 days after the date of hire. For example, under the current process, if you have an employee that begins on June 12 and enrolls in life insurance coverage on June 15, their coverage begins on June 15 and premiums are effective August 1. 

When My Insurance Benefits is live, life insurance coverage for new enrollees will begin on the first day of the month on or after the enrollment date, and premiums will be effective the same day coverage begins. For example, if you have an employee that begins on June 12 and enrolls in life insurance coverage on June 15, their coverage will begin on July 1. The employer is responsible for taking deductions to pay for July 1 coverage based on their payroll calendar. The practice of premiums starting on the same day that coverage starts is consistent with how other insurance benefits are structured, so this change aligns life insurance with other insurance programs. More information can be found in the Group Insurance Board memo. 

Due to annual verification requirements that exist within My Insurance Benefits, the Coordination of Benefits (COB) process no longer applies for individuals enrolled in High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) including a Health Savings Account (HSA). Your employees who participate will confirm their eligibility annually within My Insurance Benefits, resulting in reduced effort for employers. 

ETF will continue to reach out to members turning age 65 or reaching Medicare eligibility who have an HDHP. This outreach will provide information on steps they should now take and consequences of retaining an HDHP plan after becoming Medicare eligible.  

Today, employees enrolling in supplemental insurance benefits – such as dental insurance, vision insurance, and Accident Plan, must complete separate forms for each benefit. These forms are then sent to the various vendors. With My Insurance Benefits, employees will enroll in these benefits in one convenient, online location. 

One paper application that covers all supplemental benefits will be available for unique situations in the future as well. Examples of when a paper enrollment will be appropriate is when changes are necessary due to a leave of absence or a late open enrollment application. Once received from your employee, you will key these enrollment changes into My Insurance Benefits. You should retain all paper applications submitted to you, as ETF may request them. 

The Insurance Administration System Program is moving into the operational readiness phase of its implementation. With this program milestone, ETF is sharing a transition plan for employers that will serve as a guide for our journey ahead. The Employer Transition Plan covers what you can expect in the coming months, where we are going, how to prepare for the journey, and what resources ETF will provide along the way.  

Join us at the ETF Local Update Meeting, Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 10:00 a.m.-noon, and we will walk through this Employer Transition Plan together. Please email Tricia Sieg if you did not receive an invite to the session. 

• On July 1, 2025, ETF will launch a new online system for insurance called My Insurance Benefits, which allows 24/7, secure access to benefits information and the ability to request changes online.
• Insurance benefits administration, including health, dental, vision, accident, life, and income continuation insurances, will be available in My Insurance Benefits. Long-term care insurance and retirement benefits will not be included in the system. 
• When My Insurance Benefits is live, employers will be responsible for keying any paper applications received from employees into My Insurance Benefits.