New supplemental plans provide cash for covered injuries, illnesses, hospitalizations
MESSA is launching new supplemental benefits next month that can complement employee groups’ existing MESSA medical coverage.
Beginning July 1, MESSA members can choose from an accident, critical illness or hospital indemnity plan, or purchase a discounted bundle. Alternately, groups can bargain an employer-paid bundle consisting of all three coverages.
Developed through a partnership with Aetna, these plans are different from a traditional medical plan in that they pay cash benefits directly to members when they experience a covered event. This provides them extra money when they need it most, for things like deductibles, copayments, house payments, groceries, bills and so on.
There will be two ways to get MESSA’s new supplemental benefits:
- Negotiated supplemental benefits: Employee groups can bargain to provide all employees in the group with an employer-paid bundle consisting of accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity coverage. This can be a particularly attractive option for groups with higher-deductible medical plans.
- Optional supplemental benefits: If the employer provides MESSA’s optional benefits, the employee can choose from an accident plan, a critical illness plan, a hospital indemnity plan or a bundle of all three, and pay via payroll deduction.
For more information, contact your MESSA field representative at 800-292-4910.
Overage dependent changes
MESSA is updating our overage dependent guidelines to extend ALL coverage (dental, vision, medical and indemnity) until the end of the year or month a dependent turns 26, depending on your group’s policy. Impaired dependents may continue dental, vision, medical and indemnity coverage past the age of 26. Full-time students may continue dental, vision and medical benefits past the age of 26. This change will apply to all coverage that would have terminated December 31, 2021.
Additional information regarding this change will be sent in a separate business bulletin in the coming months.
Reminder: MESSA subsidy for continuation of coverage – temporarily suspended
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides full COBRA premium assistance for eligible individuals from April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021. During this time, employers will be responsible for these COBRA premiums. And, employers will recover the cost of the coverage by claiming a credit against their quarterly Medicare payroll tax liability.
Because the federal government is subsidizing this program and reimbursing employers for the cost of COBRA premiums from April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021, MESSA is suspending our own COBRA subsidy for continuation of coverage due to layoff during this same time period.
Members already approved for the MESSA subsidy for continuation of coverage will continue to receive this benefit for the length of their approval.
MESSA Services
Employee assistance program (EAP): When employees become overwhelmed or stressed, it can harm their work performance and their relationships with colleagues and the people they serve. Stress can also damage personal well-being, family lives and even physical health. That’s why MESSA has partnered with Ulliance to bring you and your employees the Ulliance Life Advisor Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Click here to learn more or contact the MESSA benefit administration team at 888.888.4167, ext. 5517.
Coming soon… Employee Benefit Notices: MESSA will soon take on the challenge of staying current with and providing required employee benefit notices to your employees at the time of hire, at open enrollment and to fulfill annual notice obligations. Stay tuned for more details.
IRS announces 2022 HSA limits
The minimum deductibles for HSA-qualified health plans are unchanged for 2022: $1,400 for individuals and $2,800 for families.
The IRS raised the maximum amount individuals can contribute to a health savings account in a calendar year. Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, a person with individual coverage may contribute up to $3,650 per year into their HSA, while a person with family coverage will be able to contribute up to $7,300 each year. Those 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000 a year to their own HSA as a catch-up contribution.
Annual MESSA Summits
MESSA is excited to host our annual MESSA Summits again this fall. We are asking for your input on topics you would like to learn more about. Please click here for a one-question survey to select the topics that pique your interest and to make topic suggestions.
We will use a virtual meeting platform for our MESSA Summits and will announce dates soon.
MESSA Business Administration Center: User Forum
The MESSA online User Forum provides employers the opportunity to connect, share and communicate with one another regarding topics in benefits administration and human resources. When people are brought together in an online community to discuss new ideas or address problems, unexpected solutions often result. Your participation will help create a network of colleagues actively supporting one another.
To help get the conversation started:
If you currently use MESSA’s COBRA Service, please share how this service has helped you and your organization. If you’re not using MESSA’s COBRA Service, what questions would you like to ask other benefit administrators about it?
Go to the MESSA Business Administration Center > Resources > User Forum. Scroll down to Services, click on COBRA, then click on New Topic. A window will appear where you can post your comment or question. When you are finished, click Post.
Times-salary option for STL
In addition to the fixed amount $10k, $20k, $30k and $40k optional supplemental term life coverage MESSA members are familiar with, MESSA is now offering a times-salary option. Members may purchase an amount of optional supplemental term life insurance determined by a multiple of (1, 2, 3 or 4) their salary, up to maximum of $150,000. Medical evidence of insurability is required when selecting over $75,000 in times-salary coverage.
Updating employee contact information
Please remind your employees it is important to keep their phone numbers, email and mailing addresses up to date with both you and MESSA. Also, when an employee experiences a life event (marriage, birth, etc.) remind them to verify their beneficiary designations and update accordingly.
Contact MESSA Group Services at 888-888-4167 with any questions.
Have a safe and happy summer! MESSA Group Services
As always, please notify us of any email address additions or changes. mgroupservices@messa.org