Announcements & Updates
PEIA PPB Plan Changes for Plan Year 2013
The WV PEIA Finance Board has approved several changes to the PEIA PPB Plan structure for the upcoming fiscal year, Plan Year 2013, effective July 1, 2012. For more information, see this handout summarizing many of the upcoming changes (PEIA Plan Year 2013 Adopted Changes Handout ) or go to www.wvpeia.com.
More information will be available in the Plan Year 2013 PEIA Shopper’s Guide, distributed to employees’ home addresses in late March/early April.
Benefits of Your Benefits Sessions announced for Spring 2012
Benefits of Your Benefits Sessions are offered in the spring every year in preparation for annual Open Enrollment. These sessions are beneficial to employees interested in a refresher course about WVU Employee Benefits and Open Enrollment information.
The Benefits of Your Benefits Sessions – Spring 2012 Schedule:
Registration Information: The Benefits of Your Benefits Sessions are scheduled through Training and Development. You may register on-line at the Training and Development Website, by email at Traindev@mail.wvu.edu or telephone at 304.293.7217.
“Planning Your WVU Retirement” Sessions announced for Spring 2012
Planning Your WVU Retirement Sessions are beneficial for employees who are considering retirement within the next few years. Employees gain information and guidance on University retirement processing, as well as, retirement vendor guidelines and options.
Planning Your WVU Retirement Sessions Spring 2012 Schedule:
Registration Information: Planning For Your WVU Retirement Sessions are scheduled through Training and Development. You may register on-line at the Training and Development Website, by email at Traindev@mail.wvu.edu or telephone at 304.293.7217.
Wells Fargo TPA changes name to HealthSmart Benefit Solutions, Inc.
Effective January 1, 2012, PEIA’s third party administrator, Wells Fargo TPA, changed its name to HealthSmart Benefit Solutions, Inc. – but ONLY the NAME has changed! Medical claims will be handled by the same service team in Charleston, WV. Explanations of Benefits (EOBs) and communications will be rebranded with the HealthSmart logo and new ID cards will be mailed to all PEIA PPB Plan members at a later date. All members should continue to use their current ID card until that time. Contacts, including phone numbers and addresses, will stay the same. For more information, please visit www.wvpeia.com or www.healthsmart.com.
WVU receives American Heart Association Fit Friendly Company Award
WVU has been recognized as a 2011 Gold Level Recipient of the American Heart Association’s Start! Fit-Friendly Companies recognition program. The award recognizes companies that demonstrate progressive leadership by making the health and wellness of their employees a priority in an effort to reduce the risk of heart disease.
“WVU received this recognition because of the wellness programs and resources introduced in the past several years by Kimberly Zaph, employee wellness program manager, and Toni Christian, director of employee benefits administration” said Margaret Phillips, vice president for human resources. “Ms. Zaph has not only introduced new wellness initiatives to our employees, she has recruited more than 80 wellness coordinators across the campus to spread the word about living a healthy lifestyle. Ms. Christian is currently making plans for the 2012 EmployeeFest which will have a dominant theme devoted to wellness and health screenings.”
The WVU Division of Human Resources, Benefits Administration Unit is committed to supporting employee wellness. One of its primary goals is to make it easier for faculty and staff to learn about and use resources available to them to build a healthier WVU workforce. For more information on the many employee wellness offerings at WVU, visit the Division’s website at: http://employeewellness.wvu.edu/.
WVU receives AARP Best Employers Award
West Virginia University has been selected the nation’s fifth best employer for workers aged 50 and more by the AARP in its 10th annual ranking. It is WVU’s first time in the ranking.
“This is a wonderful designation,” said WVU President Jim Clements. “We work hard to provide a supportive environment for everyone and count on the experience, skill and wisdom that all of our employees have to help us run this highly complex and great University. This honor reflects that collaborative environment in such a positive way and gives all of us here at WVU another reason to be proud to be part of the Mountaineer family.”
“West Virginia University consistently recognizes the value of older workers and the important impact they have upon the university community,” said Gaylene Miller, AARP West Virginia state director.
“As a national leader, West Virginia University sets a high standard through its implementation of progressive practices that meet the needs of mature workers and benefit the university’s continued growth and success. WVU’s top-five national ranking among the nation’s Best Employers for Workers Over 50 is a mark of distinction for the Mountain State.”
Express Scripts will no longer include Walgreens in pharmacy network
Express Scripts, the prescription drug provider for PEIA Medical Insurance Plans A, B, or C, suggests that members plan now for the upcoming Walgreens pharmacy network change. Effective Jan. 1, 2012, Express Scripts has announced that Walgreens will no longer be a participating provider in their pharmacy network.
For questions or information on moving your Walgreens prescriptions to another pharmacy, visit http://www.express-scripts.com/services/members/networkchange/ or call Express Scripts at 1-877-885-3409.
TIAA-CREF Market Update
Memo from TIAA-CREF
TIAA-CREF Perspective on Market Volatility (updated as market events unfold)
Coping with Market Volatility: TIAA-CREF Five Considerations for Investors
TIAA-CREF Frequently Asked Questions (updated as market events unfold)
Please check www.tiaa-cref.org for the most up-to-date information as market events unfold.
Roth 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Option Available
On Sept. 1, 2011, West Virginia University introduced the Roth 403(b) supplemental retirement account available to all employees through TIAA-CREF. With this option, you may:
- Contribute after-tax dollars;
- Enjoy tax-free distributions, without penalty, when you are age 59 1/2 or older and when you take a distribution five years after you made the first Roth contribution to the contract. Withdrawals of earnings prior to age 59 1/2 are subject to ordinary income tax and a 10% penalty may apply.
- Roll over assets into a Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA), or into/from another Roth 403(b) Supplemental Plan that accepts such assets. (Rollovers and withdrawals are subject to the provisions of your retirement plan.)
For information on the Roth Contribution Option go to:
TIAA-CREF Roth 403(b) Contribution Option Brochure
WVU - Roth 403(b) Contribution Option Information
At the current time, Roth contributions are not available to Great West 403(b) accounts.
If you have questions regarding Roth 403(b) contributions, please contact TIAA-CREF at 800-842-2776.
TIAA-CREF on Retirement
Share Class Change for Mutual Funds:
Starting on Sept. 23, 2011, participants invested in TIAA-CREF mutual funds will have assets moved to a new share class, which offers lower service fees. This change will not change plan participants’ investment allocations or cause a disruption to the management of participant investments. In addition, six new investment funds will be available. TIAA-CREF is communicating these changes directly to participants. Please see TIAA-CREF Share Class Information Pamphlet for additional information or contact TIAA-CREF at 800-842-2776.
TIAA-CREF offers the “Know How Now: Financial Education Series”
A simple way to help you increase your financial know-how, manage your money and achieve your goals.
TIAA-CREF Financial Education Series
Annual Notice of 403(b) Tax Deferred Retirement Savings Plan
Memorandum to all West Virginia University employees regarding Annual Notice of 403(b) Tax Deferred Retirement Savings Plan offered at WVU (PDF)
.Important Notice regarding myFBMC Card
Effective July 1, 2011 all WV participants will receive new cards.
Effective 7/1/11, the new cards that were issued with an expiration date of 8/2014 should be used. They are loaded with the Plan Year 2010/11 available balances, so participants can use the new card for the Plan Year 2010/11 grace period balances and the Plan Year 2011/12 available balances.
If a participant canceled their FSA effective 7/1/11, they will still need to use the new card to access any grace period balances they may have until 9/15/11.
PEIA/Minnesota Life Beneficiary Update Project
PEIA and Minnesota Life, your group life insurance provider, are working together to ensure your life insurance beneficiary designations are up to date.
Why update beneficiaries?
Events like marriage, divorce, birth/adoption, remarriage, and death may affect how an employee/retiree wants their benefit paid. Past designations often have outdated information that can create delays when issuing benefits. By updating beneficiaries, you can ensure that your life insurance benefits are paid in a timely manner to those you want to help the most. If you can’t remember who you have designated as your beneficiaries, the best approach is to update your beneficiary designation with current contact information.
- Go online to www.peia.wv.gov and select “Manage My Benefits,” or
- Complete and return the Basic and/or Optional Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation Form .
Questions? Please, feel free to contact Minnesota Life at 1-877-491-4840 or WVU Benefits Administration at (304)293-5700×4
PEIA PPB Plan A, B, and C offering premium discount for completing Advanced Directive/Living Will.
In order to receive a premium discount for completing an Advanced Directive/Living Will, a plan participant must complete an affidavit-either online or on paper. PEIA does not want a copy of the advanced directive/living will. An affidavit must be submitted by April 30, 2011, to be eligible for the discount for all of Plan Year 2012. . For complete information go to: http://employeewellness.hr.wvu.edu/living_wills
Registration for Retirement Sessions
Planning For Your WVU Retirement Sessions are scheduled through Training and Development. You may register on-line at https://tdregistration.wvu.edu/, email at Traindev@mail.wvu.edu or telephone at 304.293.7217.
FBMC offering new online feature
You can now check to see if your FSA reimbursement claim has been paid or if your claim was ever received? You can have your account information delivered directly to your e-mail inbox.Sign up at www.myFBMC.com, click on the “GO GREEN” box under Account Access and you’re on your way to simpler account management.
Receive e-mails for the following events:
- Claim received
- Claim paid
- Claim partially/fully rejected
- myFBMC Card documentation needed
- myFBMC Card suspended
- myFBMC Card reinstated and more
FBMC’s “GO GREEN” initiative makes it easy for you to track claims and manage your account. In addition it helps reduce your carbon footprint.
PEIA Plans A, B, and C are offering a new online feature.
You can now view your claims history, including Explanation of Benefits (EOB) online.To register for e-mail confirmations of claims processing, go to tpa.wellsfargo.com and click on Not Registered? Employee Registration, on bottom right of page. An e-mail will be sent to you each time a new EOB is available for viewing. You can then visit the website to view or print the EOB.
Delta Dental is offering a new online feature.
You can now view your Delta Dental claims history online.To register, go to deltadentalins.com and click on Don’t Have an Online Account Yet? Register Today on bottom right of page.
Changes in PEIA Pre-existing Condition Limitations*
Gov. Joe Manchin recently signed legislation that removes the pre-existing condition limitation from PEIA PPB plans. The change will take effect on July 1, 2010.
The bill also tightens PEIA’s eligibility rules to:
1. Allow existing plan members to add dependents to their coverage only during the open enrollment period each spring or when they have a qualifying event (see chart on page 41 of the Shopper’s Guide); and
2. Allow employees who declined health coverage to enroll in the plan only during open enrollment or at the time of a qualifying event.
Currently, PEIA PPB plan members can add dependents at any time by completing a change in status form, but those dependents are subject to pre-existing condition limitations.
For more information, contact PEIA Customer Service at 304-558-7850 or 1-888-680-7342.
Contact:
Customer Service
1-304-558-7850, 1-888-680-7342
peia.help@wv.gov
