2017-18 Plan Rates and Deductibles
The new medical, vision, pharmacy and dental plan year begins October 1, 2017, and goes through September 30, 2018.
The deductible and accruals toward maximum out-of-pocket reset October 1st. regardless of whether they were met the previous plan year. However, if you did not meet your deductible during the previous plan year and had continuous coverage, any expenses applied to your deductible during the last 3 months of the previous plan year will be carried over and applied to the deductible for the new plan year.
The new plan year insurance rates that take effect October 1st will be reflected in the October 31st paychecks or for retirees from your bank account November 5th. Please check your paycheck or bank statement to verify you have been charged the correct amount for your insurance elections.
4J Flu Shot Clinics Fall 2017
Getting a flu shot is the best protection we have from the flu and its complications, although it cannot prevent all cases of the flu. A flu vaccine also helps prevent spreading flu from person to person.
The 2017-18 vaccine at the flu shot clinics will help protect against 4 different viruses. The providers will be using latex-free prefilled syringes and the vaccine does not contain Thimerosal. The staff administering the vaccine will need easy access to your upper arm—specifically the deltoid muscle below the shoulder. Please dress accordingly.
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4J flu shot clinic eligibility extends to:
* all active employees (even those who are not insurance eligible due to less than half-time status)
* all insurance eligible dependents of active employees, including those who have waived coverage
* all retirees and their dependents who are currently covered on the 4J insurance
* student teachers and substitutes (licensed and classified)
4J flu shot eligibility does not extend to:
*retirees who are no longer on the 4J insurance
*retirees’ dependents who are not on the 4J coverage
Our particular vaccine is not approved for children under age 10 – parents with children under 10 years of age should contact their pediatrician. All children 10-16 years of age must have a parent or guardian with them to be vaccinated.
Other Flu Shot Options
If you can’t make the 4J flu shot clinics and have OEBB/Moda insurance, you can receive a flu shot at a network pharmacy – no copayment necessary! Call ahead of time to make sure the pharmacy has the vaccine you need. Show your Moda Health ID card to the pharmacist for billing before receiving a vaccine – otherwise it may not be covered.
The following participating chain pharmacies provide vaccines: Fred Meyer, Target, Bi-Mart, Albertson Savon, Rite Aid and Safeway.
Remember that Walgreens is not a participating pharmacy.
Healthy Sleep Workshop
The 4J Joint Benefits Committee, in partnership with Cascade Health, is offering a free Healthy Sleep wellness class. The class will take place:
- Thursday, October 26, 2017
- 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
- César Chávez Elementary Library
In this workshop you will:
- Learn the science behind healthy sleep and why it is so important.
- Discover the important elements of a good night’s sleep and create your own “sleep plan”
- Practice sleep enhancing techniques to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer
Please RSVP by Friday, October 20th to Diana McElhinney: mcelhinney_d@4j.lane.edu or 541-790-7679.
PERS Education Session
4J will be hosting a PERS education presentation: Understanding Your PERS Pension.
- Thursday, October 19, 2017
- 4:30 – 5:45 p.m.
- Education Center Auditorium
The presentation is suitable for PERS members just beginning their careers, for those within a few months of retirement, and for all members in between. The session will be presented by Kris Kartub of Valic and snacks will be provided.
Topics will include:
- Understanding the differences between Tier 1, Tier 2, and OPSRP
- Pension benefit calculation methods
- Understanding your IAP account
- Retirement option choices
The presentation will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Ed Center Auditorium on Thursday, October 19, 2017, and will last approximately one hour 15 minutes.
Please RSVP by Tuesday, October 17th to Diana McElhinney: mcelhinney_d@4j.lane.edu . Please indicate whether you plan to attend alone or whether you will be bringing a guest.
Healthy Futures Program – Health Assessment due by October 15, 2017
If you agreed to participate in Healthy Futures during OEBB Open Enrollment, your reduced deductible takes effect the first day of the plan year, October 1, 2017. If you still need to complete your Online Health Assessment, and need some direction on how to complete this task, read on.
Start on the Moda website at: https://www.modahealth.com/oebb/ and log in to your myModa account, or create a new account, if needed. To create an account you will need your Subscriber ID that is listed on your Moda Health medical card.
Once logged in, click on the link called Momentum under the myHealth section of the page. Then click “Start a New Assessment “.
Remember, if you cover a spouse/partner on your medical plan, they do not need to complete their own health assessment this year. For assistance, call Moda Health at 866-923-040
Flexible Spending Dates
The Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plan year begins October 1, 2017, and runs through September 30, 2018. If you submitted an FSA enrollment for dependent care expenses and/or unreimbursed health expenses, you should see the first deduction come out of your end of October paycheck.
If you had a 2016-17 Flexible Spending Account and did not use all of your FSA money set aside for unreimbursed eligible health-related expenses, up to $500 of that unused money rolled over into the new 2017-18 plan year.
Because you have until December 31, 2017, to submit receipts for expenses incurred during the October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017 plan year, the funds have not yet been released to cover expenses incurred on or after October 1, 2017. PacificSource Administrators (PSA) allows a run out period of 90 days to submit claims for the recently concluded plan year. The carryover of remaining funds will happen automatically after December 31, 2017.
Need your roll over amount sooner than January 1, 2017? PacificSource will grant requests of funds to roll early; however, once the funds roll the member can no longer submit claims for the 2016/17 plan year. Please be advised that any early roll requests take 7-10 days to complete.
If you had a Dependent Care FSA for the October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017 plan year, you have until December 31, 2017 to submit receipts, but any unused money left in that account at the end of the plan year is forfeited, as per IRS regulations.
If you have any questions, the PacificSource Administrators Customer Service number is 541-485-7488. You can access the PSA website at:
http://psa.pacificsource.com/PSA/.
403(b) / TSA Vendor Fair
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 14th from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. and plan to attend the drop-in style 403(b)/TSA Vendor Fair in the Ed Center Auditorium. At the fair, employees will be able to visit individually with vendors and obtain information to help them understand the benefit of this optional tax sheltered annuity.
Learn more in the November issue of the Classified Benefits & Wellness Newsletter.
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This newsletter is reviewed and edited each month by the District 4J and OSEA representatives of the Classified Joint Benefits Committee (JBC).The information in this newsletter is summarized, and is not intended as advice or counsel.
