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The 2018 Annual Open Enrollment Dates are as follows:
October 10, 2017 to October 19, 2017 – (these dates are for Active employees and Retirees)
This is your opportunity to review your benefits and make any changes to your benefits.
Retirees are urged to make any changes during the annual enrollment period; however they continue to have “Anytime Enrollment”. When a retiree makes a change outside of the Annual Enrollment period, the change is effective the first of the month following a 30 day period. Under “Anytime Enrollment” a retiree could make a change up through November 30, 2017 to be effective January 1, 2018.
Active Employees: All 2017 Elections and designations carry over into 2018 Annual Enrollment. Members who want to stay with their plans without any changes don’t need to do anything.
Pre- Medicare Retirees: The HCN plan will be eliminated effective December 31, 2017. Retirees who were enrolled in this plan will automatically transition to the current pre-Medicare MEP HCP medical plan option unless they make an election change during Annual enrollment such as enrolling in a local pre-Medicare HMO plan option, if available. The contracts also require that beginning for the 2018 plan year, the Company and the Unions discuss annually the potential for creating additional pre-Medicare retiree medical plan option(s) and discuss annually the potential for establishing a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for pre-Medicare retirees who opt out of Company sponsored coverage. For 2018 the pre-Medicare MEP HCP is less than the applicable retiree cap for all coverage categories as detailed in the annual enrollment materials and after discussions it was decided that these additional potential options will not be offered.
Medicare Eligible Retirees: Will have the same medical plan options available in 2018 as they do currently, including the Verizon Advantage Plan.
All other 2017 Elections and designations automatically carry over into 2018 Annual Enrollment. Members who want to stay with their plan without any changes don’t need to do anything.
If you have a Qualified Life Event between now and the end of the year, you will need to make changes on BenefitsConnections for both 2017 and 2018. Examples of a Qualified Status Change are adding a spouse if you get married, adding a child when there is a birth of a new baby etc.
Annual Enrollment Guides will be sent to employees and retirees this month.
Health Assessment Credit
Any member who previously completed a Health Assessment will receive the $100 Health Assessment credit in 2018. There is no need to complete a new assessment, if you are currently receiving the credit.
If you are not currently receiving the Health Assessment credit, complete the Health Assessment before January 1, 2018 to receive $100 credit toward your annual medical plan contributions for 2018.
Non- Tobacco User Credit - $600
If you are a non tobacco user and are already receiving credit, no further action is needed.
If you are not receiving this credit and DO NOT use tobacco products, indicate your NON-TOBACCO status on BenefitsConnection to receive your $600 credit towards your annual medical contributions.
If you and your covered dependents DO USE tobacco products but have completed a tobacco cessation course within the last six months indicate your status on BenefitsConnections during Open Enrollment for the full credit.
If you have NOT yet completed a tobacco cessation course, you can earn the full Non-Tobacco Credit in 2018 if you and/or your covered dependents satisfy the reasonable alternative standard as follows;
1.) During Annual Enrollment, log on to BenefitsConnection and answer the Tobacco User Status question while completing your Annual Enrollment elections: - answer YES and intend to complete a tobacco cessation course before July 31, 2018.
2.) Before July 31, 2018, complete a tobacco cessation course such as QuitNet or the Verizon HealthZone Health Assistant, and log on to BenefitsConnection. Answer the Tobacco User Status question: YES and completed a tobacco cessation course within the last 6 months.
You MUST update your Tobacco User Status response by July 31, 2018 in order to receive the full Non-Tobacco credit. Any update made to your tobacco user status after July 31, 2018 will result in a prorated credit for the remainder of the year.
Retirees:
In the 2018 plan year, the cost of coverage for two (2) of the Pre-Medicare plan (UHC Passport/ Harvard Pilgrim and one out of area pre-Medicare HMO) options will exceed the applicable retiree caps and will require contributions.
- The billing process will remain unchanged from the process that is in place today for those who are already making contributions.
- Anyone that is enrolled in a benefit that requires contributions will receive a bill.
- Bills are mailed by the 15th of each month with a due date of the first of the following month. For example, the bill for the contributions for January 2018 will be mailed/posted to the web by December 15, 2017 with a due date of January 1, 2018.
Retirees can elect to have contributions paid via ACH debit or pension deduction:
Because ACH direct debit is the fastest and easiest way for a retiree to pay for coverage, it is highlighted on each monthly invoice that is mailed home to encourage enrollment. The retiree can enroll in this option on the secure BenefitsConnection website by providing his/her routing and checking account number. The balance due would be debited out of their account on the first business day of the month. For example, January’s balance would be debited on 1/2/2018.
A retiree who is receiving a monthly pension also has the option to have his/her deductions taken from their pension check. A retiree would have to call the Benefit Center and speak with a representative to enroll in this option.
Tax Form is Coming for Active Employees and Pre Medicare Retirees
The Affordable Care Act requires proof of healthcare coverage at tax time. As a result, tax forms (1095s) that show your health care coverage for the prior year will be sent out to active employees and pre Medicare retirees in the beginning of the year. Save this form to file with your taxes.
Life& Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
Annual enrollment offers you the opportunity to make changes to your current life insurance coverage amounts and/or waive coverage. The rates for coverage are base on age ranges. As you and your spouse fall into a new age band your costs could increase. If you choose to continue your coverage, no further action is required.
Confirmation Statements
Similar to last year, confirmation statements will not be distributed to employees and retirees. Confirmation statements can be printed out on the BenefitsConnection website or one can be requested by calling the Benefits Center.
Attachments:
Due to size limitations the attachments will be sent in 3 e mails.
E mail #1 - 2018 Annual Enrollment materials and Memo to Local Presidents
E mail #2 - Medical plan market summary, contribution summary
E mail #3- HPCCs and SBCs.
Below is a list of what is included in each zip file
1. Annual Enrollment Materials
· Active NYNE Associate Guide
· Retiree-Pre 1986 Guide
· Retiree-August 9, 1986 – January 1, 1992 Guide
· Retiree Post-January 1, 1992 Retiree
· Supplemental Guide for Retiree Contributions
2. Memo to Local Presidents
3. Medical Plan Market Summary & Contributions
· Contribution Summary for Active Associates and Retirees
· Active Associate/Pre-Medicare Retiree Medical Plans Market Summary
· Medicare Retiree Medical Plans Market Summary
4. HPCCs and SBCs
· Medical Plans Health Plan Comparison Charts (aka HPEs)
· Medical Plans Summary of Benefits and Coverage
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