Open enrollment ends on Thursday, May 14, 2015
Open enrollment is mandatory this year. That means that everyone must enroll, re-enroll in health and dental plans or waive coverage. Employees who want a flexible spending account must also enroll or re-enroll.
After May 14, 2015, you can't make any changes to your benefits until next year. (Unless you have what's called a qualifying life event, like marriage, birth, or adoption).
If you do not enroll in State of Colorado benefits during open enrollment, your coverage will be terminated in FY 2015-16 (July 1, 2015 - June, 30, 2016).
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Questions about open enrollment? 
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Do you qualify for reductions on your medical premium?
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The State of Colorado's Medical Supplement Program application period is April 14 to May 21, 2015.
For the 2015-16 plan year, the supplement for medical insurance is available to qualified low-income State employees with dependent children.
The application period begins on the same day as open enrollment, but concludes a week later than open enrollment.
To be eligible for the supplement in the FY 2015-16 plan year, employees must complete an application. If you are currently receiving the supplement, you must apply every plan year to receive the premium reductions.
For more information and to apply, click here. |
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If you are enrolled in one of the medical options administered by UHC, effective July 1, 2015 you will experience some changes to your pharmacy benefits.
First, if you are prescribed a specialty drug, you must file that prescription through the Optum Specialty Pharmacy beginning with your first prescription. Currently, you are permitted to fill that prescription two times at a retail pharmacy prior to having it filled at the Optum Specialty Pharmacy. For more information visit: Optum Specialty Pharmacy.
An updated Maintenance Medication List has been posted to the benefits website. These are the medications you can obtain from the general mail order Optum Pharmacy. You will receive a 90-day supply of your maintenance medications at a reduced co-pay amount, less than you would pay if you purchased them in a retail pharmacy. Using mail-order for maintenance medications is the most economical way to purchase medications for both you and the plan.
If you are enrolled in one of the UHC medical options effective with the new plan year, you will receive a new ID card prior to July 1. These cards will indicate any new copay and deductible amounts and you will notice a new "BIN" number for your pharmacy benefits. The State's plan will be changing over to a more efficient administrative platform for its pharmacy benefits. Please make sure that you use your new card for any prescriptions that you purchase after July 1, 2015. Your pharmacist will not be able to process your prescription if you do not and they will be instructed not to fill it until your new card information is provided.
Kaiser participants will also be receiving new ID cards. The new cards will indicate that you have a deductible to satisfy on the HMO plan beginning with the new plan year and the deductible amount shown on the card for the HDHP plan will change. |
Berthoud Residents are Changing Kaiser Areas
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Berthoud residents that are enrolled, or are enrolling in a Kaiser plan during open enrollment, will notice that effectiveJuly 1, 2015 the 80513 zip code will fall under the Kaiser Northern Colorado area. This is a change from previous years when Berthoud fell under the Kaiser Denver/Boulder area.
This change will allow residents in the 80513 zip code to utilize both the Kaiser Northern Colorado and Denver/Boulder areas and provides better flexibility to the residents Berthoud, CO.
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Health Focus:
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
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Experiencing symptoms such as loss of sleep, feeling tired for no reason, feeling low, anxious or hearing voices, shouldn't be ignored and brushed aside in the hopes that they go away.
Like other diseases, we need to address mental health symptoms early, identify the underlying disease and plan an appropriate course of action on a path towards overall health.
Many people do not seek treatment in the early stages of mental illnesses because they don't recognize the symptoms.
Mental Health screening tools can help. A screening only takes a few minutes, and after you are finished you will be given information about the next steps you should take based on the results. A screening is not a diagnosis, but it can be a helpful tool for starting a conversation with your doctor or a loved one about your mental health.
For more information on Mental Health statistics and warning signs,click here.
Colorado State Employees Assistance Program (C-SEAP)
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PERA Plus 401(k):
457 Plan Roth Option
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Over the last few months PERA has communicated that employers can now adopt the Roth option in the PERA Plus 4019k and 457 Plans.
The Roth option allows employees to contribute to the Plan(s) on a tax-paid basis through payroll deductions.
At this time, the State of Colorado is unable to adopt this option for employees because of system projects involving the State's payroll system.
In-Plan Roth Conversions
If you are eligible for a distribution from the PERA Plus 401(k)/457 plans, you can convert pre-tax assets to Roth assets.
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