Classified Benefits & Wellness Newsletter August/September 2018 Issue #1

Published by:      Diana McElhinney, Classified Staff Benefits Coordinator
Phone:  541-790-7679 email: mcelhinney_d@4j.lane.edu

Mandatory Open Enrollment for Health Benefits
August 15 – September 15

Reminder, all benefits eligible employees, including those who waive coverage, must access the MyOEBB enrollment system and make your health plan elections by Saturday, September 15th.  This includes enrolling yourself and any eligible dependents you wish to cover, as well as waiving coverage you do not want.  Plans will not roll over from the 2017-18 plan year.  In order to make an informed decision I encourage you to review the 4J Open Enrollment Benefits Essentials – Classified Employees and rate sheets at:
https://www.4j.lane.edu/hr/benefits/open-enrollment/

Computer & Enrollment Assistance
Need some assistance? Don’t have a computer?  Come see us at one of these scheduled dates and times:

Tips To Avoid Enrollment Mistakes

1. Know your monthly cost for coverage.
2. Make sure your doctors/providers are in-network for the plans you select.
3. Double-check your dependents have the right coverage and that you select coverage for them!
4. Before you decline dental for yourself or a dependent, recognize a 12-month wait will apply if enrolled at a later date.
5. Don’t wait until the last minute! Decide early, enroll early.

2018-19 Medical Plans

Effective for the 2018-19 plan year, the Connexus and Synergy Moda Birch Plan is eliminated.  4J classified employees and retirees will continue to have both  the Connexus and Synergy Moda Cedar Plan ($1,200 deductible) and the Dogwood Plan ($1,600 deductible) plus a third choice with Kaiser Permanente.

A New Medical Plan Option!

This year classified employees have access to care with a new health insurance provider, Kaiser Permanente (KP).  The Kaiser Permanente model of care allows for better coordination and quality of care.

Members will have care coverage at 5 medical offices, and 4 hospitals through collaboration with PeaceHealth, and many more contracted specialists in the area.  Additionally, members will have access to all Kaiser Permanente facilities in Oregon as well as KP facilities in other states.

All of the providers in the Kaiser Permanente network were selected based on the level of care and service they provide to their patients.  To see if your doctor is in the network, go to provider directory online at www.kp.org/finddoctors.

Questions can be directed to Kaiser Permanente customer service representatives at 1 800-813-2000.  Please identify yourself as an OEBB member, group number 18050 (4J is not in their system yet) and Plan 2.

Please note:  The 4J Wellness Clinic is not part of the Kaiser Permanente Network.  Active employees and retirees who elect the Kaiser Permanente Plan will not be charged the mandatory monthly fee and will be ineligible to access services at the Wellness Clinic.

2018-19 Vision Plan

We will continue to offer VSP Choice Plus Plan in the 2018-19 plan year.  Beginning October 1, 2018, VSP changes include enhanced coverage of standard progressive lenses and increased allowance for select name brand frames (not applicable at Costco or Walmart).

For a $20 copayment, the VSP Suncare benefit (available every 12 months) allows members a $300 allowance for ready-made non-prescription sunglasses in lieu of prescription glasses or contacts.

2018-19 Dental Plans

4J employees will continue to have 3 dental plans to choose from for the upcoming plan year:  Delta Dental Premier Plan 5, Delta Dental Premier Plan 6, and the Willamette Dental Group Plan.

Delta Dental Premier Plan 5 has an annual maximum of $1700; an incentive plan design (70% – 100%) for preventive, basic restorative and periodontal services; and includes orthodontia.

Delta Dental Premier Plan 6 has an annual maximum of $1200, does not have an incentive plan design, and does not include orthodontia.

2018-19 Updates:  Changes for Moda Dental Plans 5 & 6 include composite restorations covered on the posterior teeth, Nitrous Oxide is covered at 50 percent, and the benefit maximum for occlusal guard increased from $150 to $250.

The Willamette Dental Group plan provides set co-payments so that you always know what your out-of-pocket will be.  There are no annual deductibles and no maximums for covered benefits.

2018-19 Update: Changes for Willamette Dental Group plan include co-payments for crowns, bridges, root canals, dentures increase, upgrade to composite fillings for no additional cost, and the orthodontia deductible will increase from $1500 to $2500.

Optional Employee Life

This is a great year to elect optional employee life if you haven’t in the past or if you are increasing your current level of coverage.  The Standard is offering a $200,000 Guarantee Issuance.   This means no medical evidence is required for employee coverage $200,000 or below.

Healthy Futures Incentive Program Discontinued

OEBB’s “Healthy Futures” incentive program has been discontinued effective October 1, 2018.  If you participated for the 2017-18 plan year you will not need to report your Healthy Actions during Open Enrollment.

NEW – Discounted Gym Membership

Both Moda and Kaiser Permanente plans include discounted membership to gyms.  The Active & Fit Direct program allows you join participating fitness centers for $25 a month.   For more information log in to your myModa account at modahealth or your Kaiser Permanente account at https://my.kp.org/oebb/to get started.  Current Moda members can sign up now!

“Do something TODAY that your future self will thank you for!”

Flexible Spending Account Online Enrollment for Plan Year Oct 1, 2018-Sept 30, 2019

Participation requires a new enrollment each year.

What is a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?

A Flexible spending Account (FSA) is a benefit plan administered by PacificSource Administrators which allows you to pay for out-of-pocket health care or dependent /childcare expenses with pre-tax dollars.

As long as you are ELIGIBLE for District insurance benefits as an active employee, you can enroll in the FSA plan, even if you waive the health insurance.  Retirees are not eligible for FSA plans. If you plan to retire during the plan year and would like to participate for the portion of the plan year prior to your retirement, be sure to attend one of the computer and enrollment assistance times or contact Benefits staff prior to enrolling.

FSA Online Enrollment Deadline:  Saturday, September 15, 2018 @ 8:59 pm

To make annual elections for your FSA you must log into your PacificSource flex account at: https://hrbenefitsdirect.com/PSA/signIn.aspx  To create a new member account, look to the right of the log in information and use Group Pass Code:  ESD2018FSA

Health Insurance in Retirement Workshop
Tuesday, September 25 – Ed Center Auditorium
First session starts at 4:00 p.m.

Want to know more about your health insurance options once you retire?  Have questions?  Come hear from the experts what your options are:

4:00 – 4:45 p.m. The ABCs of Medicare:  What to expect, types of plans, when to sign up

4:45 – 5:00 p.m. Retirement Coverage Prior to Medicare Eligibility:  Continuation of 4J plan, individual market, PERS option

5:00 – 5:30 p.m. 4J Retirement Health Insurance Options:  Breakout groups:  MAPS, Licensed, and Classified

R.S.V.P. by Wednesday, September 19, 2018
to Diana McElhinney at mcelhinney_d@4j.lane.edu

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This newsletter is reviewed and edited each month by 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.