MESSA LMS and Prescription Drug Plan rates effective Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2021
We are pleased to share that the 2021 rates for the MESSA LMS medical plan and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) Medicare Part D group prescription drug plan are less than the 2020 rates.
Effective Jan. 1, 2021, the new LMS PDP rates are:
Member Only with Basic Term Life: $560.75
Member Only without Basic Term Life: $556.76
Member and Spouse with Basic Term Life: $1,117.51
Member and Spouse without Basic Term Life: $1,113.52
Spouse Only: $556.76
Sponsored Dependent Age 65 & Over: $556.76
State and federal taxes and fees are included in the rates listed above.
Over-age dependent verification update
Oct. 1 – Nov. 30 members with over-age dependents were instructed to complete the online questionnaire posted on their MyMessa account. On Dec. 1 the online questionnaire was removed. Employees that missed the Nov. 30 deadline to certify a full-time student for 2021 will now be directed to their employer business office to obtain the Dependent Child Eligibility Verification form. This form is located on the MESSA Business Administration Center in Forms. Click here to access the form now.
The over-age dependent annual process final report will be available in mid-December on the MESSA Business Administration Center > Reports > Over Age Dependent Eligibility. This report can be used to send COBRA notifications to dependents whose coverage has been cancelled.
Vision plan year changes for former PAK groups
Beginning January 1, 2021 all groups will follow the non-PAK process. When your group makes a vision benefit change (RBI), the effective date of the benefit change will establish the start of a new benefit year. For example, if your group requests a vision benefit change (RBI) with an effective date of March 1, 2021, your new vision plan year will become March 1 – February 28.
Vision plan rate renewals will continue to be effective January 1 of each year.
Ovia Health provides MESSA members with mental health support
With COVID restrictions and demands suddenly part of our everyday lives, it’s normal and expected that your employees will have an increase in stress and anxiety levels. MESSA and Ovia Health want to help by providing this mental health toolkit. It’s full of how to’s, getting started, and what you should know to help answer your employees’ mental health questions.
Social Security number solicitation
Please remind employees to include a valid Social Security number when adding a new dependent. IRS tax rules require health plans to collect Social Security numbers for dependents covered by the employees’ health plans. The IRS uses this information to confirm compliance with health coverage and affordability provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Failure to provide the missing Social Security number could result in your employee receiving a penalty from the IRS. Contact the MESSA Member Service Center to update dependent Social Security numbers at 800.336.0013.
2021 Billing schedule
| Billing Period | Billing Date |
| January | December 11th |
| February | January 15th |
| March | February 12th |
| April | March 12th |
| May | April 9th |
| June | May 14th |
| July | June 11th |
| August | July 9th |
| September | August 13th |
| October | September 10th |
| November | October 8th |
| December | November 12th |
Invoices are generated on the billing date and post to the MESSA Business Administration Center the following Monday.
Update your key contact information today
The MESSA Business Administration Center gives your staff easy, secure access to benefit forms, important messages and updates from MESSA, and online tools that make benefit administration easier. Staff must be authorized by their employer’s business office to access the site with their own secure log-in. Please review your current contacts and make any necessary additions, edits or deletions.
MESSA Group Services closed
MESSA Group Services will be closed Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020 through Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Normal business hours will resume Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.
Contact MESSA Group Services at 888.888.4167 with any questions.
Happy Holidays!
MESSA Group Services
As always, please notify us of any e-mail address additions or changes!
Messagroupservices@messa.org