2020 MESSA Summits
Our popular MESSA Summits, where employers can meet and mingle, ask questions, and learn about what’s happening at MESSA, will take place virtually this fall. Watch for more details coming your way in a future business bulletin.
MESSA Services
MESSA has solutions to address the challenges benefit administrators face every day. We listened to employers when they told us where they needed extra help. And we developed a unique suite of business services that let our experts
do the heavy lifting so your experts can focus on other priorities. What’s more, MESSA Services are provided at no cost to you.
| ACA reporting tool | Dependent audits |
| Ask Emma | FMLA administration |
| Cafeteria plans | Online benefits website |
| COBRA | Open enrollment administration |
Learn more about MESSA Services by calling the MESSA benefits administration team at 888.888.4167, ext. 5517.
MESSA to offer 3 new vision plans starting in 2021
MESSA is expanding our vision plan offerings starting in January 2021 to include three new vision plans that provide comprehensive vision care to our members and their covered dependents.
The three new plans — MESSA Vision, MESSA Vision Enhanced and MESSA Vision Preferred — will be available for bargaining beginning Sept. 1. Each plan was designed specifically for MESSA members and provides:
- Comprehensive coverage for eye care, preventive services and corrective treatment.
- Convenient access to the nation’s largest network of eye doctors through our partnership with VSP Vision Care.
- Significant discounts on the most popular lens enhancements, including progressive lenses, scratch-resistant coating, UV protection and more.
For more information about the three new vision plans, as well as MESSA’s full lineup of vision plans, visit messa.org/vision. There, you can view the plan highlights for each new plan, in addition to the other six plans that MESSA will continue to offer. You can also contact your local field representative at 800. 292.4910.
Multiproduct Discount
MESSA is excited to announce multiproduct discounts are now available for ALL our group employers. Starting Jan. 1, 2021, all groups with MESSA medical plus a combination of our excellent ancillary products will receive a discount on the cost of their medical premium. Contact your MESSA field representative at 800.292.4910 to learn how combining products can save your group money.
Single Sign On
At MESSA we continually strive to improve your experience and streamline functions for you. Now, when you sign into the MESSA Business Administration Center you will get direct access to your online benefits website as well.
The single sign on feature is available only to contacts that sign in to the MESSA Business Administration Center with the 4-digit employer account number and password. Contact your benefit and enrollment processor at 888.888.4167 with any questions.
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. If you use the RBI Wizard to request benefit changes for an existing group, be sure to use the quote ID number to expedite the process. This will allow our department to help with a smooth and timely benefit 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 2020 and 2021 Plan Years
For informational purposes only, the below chart represents the changes in taxes and fees from 2020 to 2021. These taxes and fees are included in your rates.
| MEDICAL | ||||
| Tax/Fee | 2020 | 2021 | Note | |
| State Premium Tax | 1.01% | 0.96% | % of premium | |
| Insurance Provider Assessment Fee | $2.40 | $2.40 | PCPM | |
| Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Fee | $0.00 | $5.08 | PMPY | Extended to 9/30/2029 |
| Federal Health Insurance Tax | 2.82% | 0.00% | % of premium | Tax Repealed |
| Total Medical Tax Factor | 4.40% | 1.60% | % of premium | |
| VISION | ||||
| Tax | 2020 | 2021 | Note | |
| State Premium Tax | 1.01% | 0.96% | % of premium | |
| Federal Health Insurance Tax | 2.71% | 0.00% | % of premium | Tax Repealed |
| Total Vision Tax Factor | 3.70% | 0.96% | % of premium | |
| DENTAL | ||||
| Tax | 2020 | 2021 | Note | |
| Federal Health Insurance Tax | 1.00% | 0.00% | % of premium | Tax Repealed |
| Total Dental Tax Factor | 1.00% | 0.00% | % of premium | |