Winter 2020 Spotlight on Benefits Newsletter Now Available

The Winter 2020 issue of the Spotlight on Benefits newsletter is now available. This issue announces important benefits updates, including a new, premium-free Bronze Plus Plan benefit as an alternative to COBRA Continuation Coverage, and changes to the Credited Service Months (CSMs) earnings threshold.

Also enclosed with this newsletter are the 2019 Summary Annual Report on the financial status of the Health Plan and Supplemental Pension Plan and a 204(h) Notice with details about the change to the CSMs earnings threshold.

IN THIS ISSUE:

• New Premium-Free Benefit Created for Eligible Participants. For those who Lost Earned Active Coverage on June 30th, September 30th or December 31st, 2020, the Board of Trustees has created the Bronze Plus Plan as an Alternative to COBRA Continuation Coverage.  The new, premium-free Bronze Plus Plan is a temporary option for continued health coverage, effective January 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021.
• COVID-19 Vaccine Availability and Distribution: What We Know So Far. 
• Incremental Increases to Earnings Threshold for Pension Plans’ Credited Service Months (CSMs).
• Express Scripts’ Changes to List of Covered Medications Taking Effect January 1, 2021. The complete 2021 list of excluded medications along with preferred alternatives is available here.
• Home Testing Kits Grow in Popularity But May Not Be Covered By the Health Plan.
• Sleep Apnea and Its Effects On Your Health…What You Can Do.

• All-Inclusive Out-of-Pocket Limits Increase, Effective January 1, 2021 as Established Under the Affordable Care Act.

INSERTS

• The 204(h) Notice is a federally required notice to all Basic Plan Participants and Alternate Payees describing changes to the Basic Pension Plan, taking effect January 1, 2021.
• The 2019 Summary Annual Report provides important information on the financial status of the Supplemental Pension Plan and the Health Plan.