MESSA LMS and prescription drug plan rates effective Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2022
We are pleased to share that the 2022 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 2021 rates.
Effective Jan. 1, 2022, the new LMS PDP rates are:
Member Only with Basic Term Life: $533.12
Member Only without Basic Term Life: $528.73
Member and Spouse with Basic Term Life: $1,061.85
Member and Spouse without Basic Term Life: $1,057.46
Spouse Only: $528.73
Sponsored Dependent Age 65 & Over: $528.73
State and federal taxes and fees are included in the rates listed above.
Over-age dependent verification update
Sept. 14 – Nov. 15 members with overage dependents were instructed to complete the online questionnaire posted on their MyMessa account. On Nov. 16 the online questionnaire was removed. Employees that missed the deadline to certify a full-time student for 2022 will be directed to their employer’s business office to obtain the dependent child eligibility verification form found on the MESSA business administration center > forms.
The overage dependent annual process final report will be available in mid-December on the MESSA business administration center > reports > overage dependent eligibility.
This report can be used to send COBRA notifications to dependents whose coverage has been cancelled; however, if your group has MESSA’s COBRA Services our benefits administration team will mail COBRA notices for you.
January age change rate adjustments report
MESSA variable options products affected by the age of an employee are:
- Group long term disability insurance (LTD)
- Group supplemental term life insurance (STL)
- Group survivor income insurance (SII)
- Critical illness indemnity insurance
Employees who’ve entered a new age/rate bracket since our last options increase Jan. 1, 2021, will be subject to a premium increase effective Jan. 1, 2022. These changes will be reflected on your January invoice. Click here to reference this report to make payroll deduction adjustment updates.
New home delivery pharmacy for MESSA members starting in 2022
Starting Jan. 1, 2022, MESSA is partnering with OptumRx to provide home delivery and prescription services for members. This means that MESSA members who currently use Express Scripts for home delivery will use OptumRx instead. Members will receive new MESSA ID cards and should begin using them Jan. 1. (Please note: the new ID cards issued prior to Jan. 1 will not have deductible and out-of-pocket-maximum information printed on them as previously communicated. Cards issued after Jan. 1 will include the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum information on them.)
If members have questions, they can call MESSA’s Member Service Center at 800-336-0013 or visit messa.org/OptumRx.
COVID-19 Tracking and Reporting
On November 12, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion to stay OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard, published on November 5, 2021 (86 Fed. Reg. 61402) (“ETS”). The court ordered that OSHA “take no steps to implement or enforce” the ETS “until further court order.” While OSHA remains confident in its authority to protect workers in emergencies, OSHA has suspended activities related to the implementation and enforcement of the ETS pending future developments in the litigation.
In the event employers are mandated to track COVID-19 vaccines and test results for their employees, MESSA is ready to roll out our COVID-19 Tracking and Reporting service, your online solution for testing and vaccine administration. To learn more call 888-888-4167, ext. 5517 to speak with our MESSA benefits administration team.
MESSA launches new app
MESSA is excited to announce the launch of our brand-new mobile app. Your MyMESSA account in the palm of your hand. Members can access information about their MESSA health benefits anytime and anywhere.
- Check deductible status
- Access statements and claims
- View your virtual MESSA card
- Find a provider
- Connect with our Member Service Center via chat or voice call
To download the MESSA app, search for “MESSA” in the App Store or Google Play or visit messa.org/MESSAapp.
MESSA Business Administration Center
Looking for something? Be sure to check the MESSA Business Administration Center. We’ve designed this site to make it easy to find exactly what you are looking for. The home page panels are designed to keep you informed with announcements and business bulletins.
Options across the page header allow you to access great information related to invoices, reports, forms, benefit implementation, resources, and services.
Alternative options to contact MESSA include send a secure message, request a call, and live chat.
Access the MESSA Business Administration Center today at messa.org > employers > business administration center.
Payment remittance options
MESSA offers the following premium payment remittance options for our groups:
- Preferred method: Online at the MESSA Business Administration Center
- Check
- Wire transfer
We do not accept ACH payments.
If you have any questions regarding our payment procedures contact MESSA Group Services at 888-888- 4167 to speak with our billing team.
Disability tax reports
Fourth-quarter 2021 and year-end tax reports will be posted on the MESSA Business Administration Center on Jan. 15. Employers are responsible for reporting to the IRS all employees on disability, regardless of employment status. For disability questions, please call 800-247-6951.
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.
2022 Billing schedule
| Billing Period | Billing Date |
| January | December 10 |
| February | January 14 |
| March | February 11 |
| April | March 11 |
| May | April 8 |
| June | May 13 |
| July | June 10 |
| August | July 8 |
| September | August 12 |
| October | September 9 |
| November | October 14 |
| December | November 11 |
Invoices are generated on the billing date and post to the MESSA Business Administration Center the following Monday.
MESSA Group Services closed
MESSA Group Services will be closed Friday, Dec. 17 beginning at noon and Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 through Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. Normal business hours will resume Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.
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