September 5, 2019

2019 MESSA Summits

We’re coming to your area. Mark your calendar and join MESSA staff and local field representatives for this interactive summit where you will learn the latest updates from MESSA.

Monday, Sept. 23: Brick Street of Grand Blanc, Grand Blanc

Tuesday, Sept. 24: Crowne Plaza, Auburn Hills

Wednesday, Sept. 25: Dearborn Inn Marriott, Dearborn

Wednesday, Oct. 2: Landmark Inn, Marquette

Thursday, Oct. 3: Otsego Club & Resort, Gaylord

Tuesday, Oct. 8: Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mt. Pleasant

Monday, Oct. 14: Weber’s Boutique Hotel & Restaurant, Ann Arbor

Monday, Oct. 28: Delta Hotels Kalamazoo Conference Center, Kalamazoo

Wednesday, Oct. 30: Double Tree by Hilton Grand Rapids Airport, Grand Rapids

Register online to attend a MESSA Summit


It’s time… We’re going paperless January 1, 2020

In an effort to utilize more efficient technologies, beginning January 1, 2020 MESSA will be paperless for all enrollment forms. You will have full access to the MESSA online benefit website for all your enrollment, open enrollment and life event needs.

If you would like additional training (or just a refresher) on how to use our online benefits website, or if you have any questions concerning enrollment, open enrollment or life event processing with our online benefits website, contact the MESSA Group Services Trainers at GroupServicesTrainers@messa.org.

If you would like MESSA to handle your annual open enrollment administration, contact our MESSA benefit administration team at 888.888.4167, ext. 5517.

Learn more about our open enrollment administration and all of MESSA Services


2019 MESSA Worksite Wellness Conference

MESSA is excited to bring you our annual Worksite Wellness Conference. Come get energized and motivated, network with other employers and wellness teams, and learn to promote wellness at your worksite.

September 27, 2019, Eagle Eye Banquet Center, Bath Township
This event is free for all MESSA members.

Learn more about the MESSA Worksite Wellness Conference


RBI tips for employers:

  1. Give your MESSA field representative an early heads up when you need to get the RBI process rolling
    We would like to remind you that when you have a Request for Benefit Implementation (RBI), it is very helpful if you inform your MESSA Field Rep and Field Services early so that we can begin our internal process of implementing your benefits. This will allow our department to help with a smooth transition for you and your employees.If you have any questions or concerns regarding transitioning to MESSA or changing any MESSA benefits, please reach out to your MESSA Field Rep or contact Field Services directly by calling 800.292.4910.
  2. Important RBI notice for accounts using MESSA’s online benefits website
    If you have RBI changes with an effective date that is the same as your open enrollment effective date, or if you are offering a special open enrollment due to benefit changes, please be sure the RBI has been completed before setting up your open enrollment. MESSA will notify you when the RBI has been completed.If you set up the open enrollment before the benefit changes are made, the new/changed benefits will not show for your employees when making their open enrollment benefit elections.

    When selecting benefit plan types for a special enrollment or an open enrollment, please remember to click “select all” benefits. Otherwise, the enrollment selections will not display correctly for your employees.


ACA State and Federal Taxes for 2019 and 2020 Plan Years

For informational purposes only, the following tables represent the changes in taxes and fees from 2019 to 2020. These taxes and fees are included in your rates.

MEDICAL

Tax/Fee 2019 2020 Note
State Premium Tax 0.96% 1.01% % of premium
Insurance Provider Assessment Fee $2.40 $2.40 PCPM
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Fee $3.78 $0.00 PMPY Fee sunsets on 12/31/2019
Federal Health Insurance Tax 0.00% 2.82% % of premium Moratorium in 2019
Total Medical Tax Factor 1.54% 4.35% % of premium

VISION

Tax 2019 2020 Note
State Premium Tax 0.96% 0.97% % of premium
Federal Health Insurance Tax 0.00% 2.71% % of premium Moratorium in 2019
Total Vision Tax Factor 0.96% 3.68% % of premium

DENTAL

Tax 2019 2020 Note
Federal Health Insurance Tax 0.00% 1.00% % of premium Moratorium in 2019
Total Dental Tax Factor 0.00% 1.00% % of premium