OPEN ENROLLMENT BEGINS JULY
16TH
Industry standards have continued to show double digits for
health care costs. Last year, Independent received an increase to the plan of
5.25%, which means our plan is in better shape than most. This year,
Highmark presented a renewal increase of 4.04%.
Independent’s medical plan expenses are expected to be
$1,358,687 for year-end July 2018. The insurance committee recommended
a flat increase of $4. There are no changes to the plan design of the two EPO Options
(Base Plan/Low Premium and Buy Up/High Premium).
Medical:
For the 2018-2019 Plan Year, Independent will continue subsidizing the
employee only premium at a 69% level. The dependent premium will be paid
entirely by the employee. The smoker surcharge will continue to remain at 30%.
These plans offer in-network coverage only. There are no
Out-of-Network benefits. EPO members can access In-Network PPO providers
anywhere in the nation. Both options carry the ACA out of pocket maximum of
$7,350 (individual) and $14,700 (family). The Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Association's website bluecares.com provides online access to the most current
listing of providers. EPO members can also find network providers by calling a
BlueCard customer service representative at 800. 810.BLUE (2583).
1. Base Plan (Low premium/High Deductible
Option) is an EPO plan with a $3,000 employee only deductible and a $6,000
family deductible. This plan’s design is to foster better understanding of
medical costs and the value of discounts prior to making our health care
choices. Preventive care will continue to be covered at 100%, the deductible
will not apply. The costs are:
*Regular per pay period premium for medical & prescription
coverage will be $88 for Employee only: $410 for Employee + Child(ren); $725
for Employee + Spouse; and, $952 for Family.
*There is a 30% discount for
non-tobacco users. Those per pay period premiums will be $68 for Employee only;
$315 for Employee + Child(ren), $558 for Employee Spouse; and, $732 for Family.
2 Buy-Up Plan (High Premium/Low
Deductible) : The Buy-Up Plan is also an EPO which has a deductible of
$500 for employee only coverage and $1,500 for employees covering their
dependents as well . Preventive care will continue to be covered at 100%, the
deductible will not apply. The costs are:
*The regular per pay premium will be: $155 for Employee only,
$468 for Employee + Child (ren), $833 for Employee +spouse; $1,093 for Family.
*There is a 30% discount for non-tobacco users.
Those per pay period will be: $119 for Employee
only, $360 for Employee + Child(ren), $641 for Employee + spouse, $841 for
Family.
To help control your out-of-pocket costs, we encourage employees
and dependents to take advantage of the Plan’s preventive benefits. Your annual
physical, for example, is 100% covered --- with no co-pay or deductible cost to
you. Schedule your annual physical and follow the plan’s guidelines for staying
healthy. Please also note that if you purchase Voluntary Accident Insurance,
you will receive a reimbursement of $50 for seeing your Physician for an Annual
Physical!
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Dental: The Plan’s carrier is United
Concordia, a subsidiary of Highmark DE. The carrier presented an increase
to the plan of 7.54% as well as offering Blue Edge Dental. Blue Edge Dental
includes a wellness benefit but also allows you to receive care from any
licensed dentist without being balanced billed. The new bi-weekly premiums for
the optional Dental plan are:
$13 (from $12) - Employee only
$25 (from $23) - Employee child (ren)
$30 (from $28) - Employee spouse
$40 (from $38) - Family
Voluntary Accident Coverage –
The Plan’s carrier is Reliance Standard. This coverage is 100% employee
paid. The bi-weekly premium remains unchanged for the optional Accident
Coverage plan: e: Employee Only: $7.50, Employee + Spouse: $12.00,
Employee + Child(ren): $15.50, Family: $20.50
Life Insurance and Long Term Disability –
There are no changes in the rates for life insurance. However, the
long-term disability rate increases from $ .32 to $ .37 of $100 base payroll.
Any changes in your life insurance rate are as a result of your age.
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Health Advocate -
Health Advocate services continue to be available to you, your family and
extended family. For extended family members to utilize this service,
they need only to reference they are your relative who is employed by
Independent Newsmedia. Health Advocate can assist you and your family with
issues ranging from understanding an EOB, to assistance in finding
daycare. Health Advocate can also assist with matters related to claim
denials/appeals, locating a Physician and can even schedule the appointment for
you. In the current landscape of Healthcare, everyone can use a little
help. Health Advocate is there for you to do so, at no cost to you.
You only need
to re-enroll if you wish to make a change to your current selections.
If you do not make changes during Open Enrollment, the only other
time you may do so is if you experience a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). A
QLE includes: Birth or Adoption of a child, Death, Divorce, Court ordered
coverage, or Marriage.
There is NO open enrollment for life insurance or long term
disability. If you wish to sign up for these benefits, please complete
the Evidence of Insurability (EOI). The form is in Self
Service>Benefits.
The Self Service Open Enrollment site will be available from July 16
– 23, 2018.
[ClickHERE to
log onto Ceridian Self Service for open enrollment. The ENROLLMENT flag
that appears at the top will continue to display until open enrollment ends.]
