MESSA LMS PDP rates for 2023
Effective Jan. 1, 2023, rates for our MESSA LMS medical plan and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) Medicare Part D group prescription drug plan are:
Member Only with Basic Term Life: $546.49
Member Only without Basic Term Life: $542.10
Member and Spouse with Basic Term Life: $1,088.59
Member and Spouse without Basic Term Life: $1,084.20
Spouse Only: $542.10
Sponsored Dependent Age 65 & Over: $542.10
State and federal taxes and fees are included in the rates listed above.
Overage dependent verification update
For groups that allow continued coverage for overage dependents attending an accredited higher education institution as a full-time student:
Sept. 13 – Nov. 15 members with overage dependents were instructed to login to MyMessa and complete an online questionnaire to determine continued coverage eligibility for their child. On Nov. 16 the online questionnaire was removed. Employees that missed the deadline to certify a full-time student for 2023 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.
In mid-December a final report will be available on the MESSA business administration center listing each overage dependent and if coverage will continue or not. This report should be used to send COBRA notifications to dependents whose coverage will be terminated. Watch the MESSA business administration center > announcements, we’ll let you know when the report is available.
Please note: If your group is enrolled in 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 entering a new age/rate bracket since our last options increase Jan. 1, 2022, will be subject to a premium increase effective Jan. 1, 2023. These changes will be reflected on your January invoice.
A report detailing which employees are affected is available on the MESSA business administration center > reports and should be referenced for updating payroll deductions. Click here to view the report now.
From the MESSA Disability department
Tax reports
Fourth quarter 2022 and year-end tax reports will be available on Jan. 15, 2023 on the MESSA business administration center > reports. Employers are responsible for reporting to the IRS all employees on disability, regardless of employment status. Contact MESSA Disability at 800-247-6951 if you have any questions.
Claim form update for 2023
MESSA will soon post an updated employer statements for disability income benefits form. The following changes will be made to the form for 2023: The maximum taxable wage base for 2023 is $160,200.
Watch the MESSA business administration center > announcements, we’ll let you know when these 2023 forms are available.
New billing and payment portal – Going live in early 2023
MESSA is developing a new billing and payment portal, accessed on the MESSA business administration center > invoices. Upgraded features will include:
- Improved invoice clarity to help you better understand payments, coverage tiers, refunds and fees.
- Billing history detailing payments and how funds were applied to your account.
- Employee level information to see coverage tiers, costs and payment allocation.
- Integrated with MESSA’s online benefits website to sync up with enrollment information for easier invoice reconciliation.
Training sessions will be announced soon. You’ll have an opportunity to learn more as we demonstrate the ins and outs of the new billing and payment portal before we go live.
2023 Billing schedule
Billing Period Billing Date
January December 9
February January 13
March February 10
April March 10
May April 14
June May 12
July June 9
August July 14
September August 11
October September 8
November October 13
December November 10
Invoices are generated on the billing date and are available to view the following Monday.
MESSA Group Services closed
MESSA Group Services will be closed the following times:
Friday, Dec. 16 beginning at noon
Normal business hours will resume on Monday, Dec. 19.
Friday, Dec. 23 through Monday, Jan. 2.
Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Free identity and credit protection with MESSA
While protecting your identity and credit is a year-round job, you have to be especially vigilant during the holiday season.
Heavy online shopping traffic, busy shopping centers, public Wi-Fi networks and increased holiday travel are all havens for hackers and thieves this time of year.
MESSA provides all members and their covered dependents free year-round credit and identity protection at no charge through credit-industry leader Experian.
Through this service, you receive two levels of free protection:
- Experian Identity Restoration. This level of protection requires no enrollment. If you suspect your identity has been compromised, you can contact Experian at 877-736-4495. A dedicated investigator will work to recover your financial losses and restore your credit.
- Experian IdentityWorks. This service offers extra protection, and requires enrollment. It includes credit monitoring, up to $1 million in identity theft insurance and credit monitoring for children under age 18. This extra level of protection is available to you at no charge.
To learn more or enroll, visit messa.org/Experian.
From our entire team at MESSA Group Services:
We wish you a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic New Year!
Questions about your MESSA benefits? Call MESSA Group Services at 888-888-4167