Author: sipiorsk@uwgb.edu

Summer prepay insurance premiums will be deducted from April 1, May 1, and/or May 31 paychecks, along with regular monthly insurance premium deductions, for the following employee groups:

• Academic (9-month) employee who will be returning to UW employment in the fall of 2019
• Academic (9-month) employee with a summer service/summer session appointment

Why are Summer Prepay Insurance Premiums Deducted in the Spring?
The additional summer prepay insurance premium deductions are taken to continue an employee’s insurance coverage through the summer (contract break) months. These additional premium deductions must be taken in the spring, along with regular monthly premium deductions, since insurance premiums are not deducted from summer service/summer session earnings.

What if an Employee’s Employment Status Changes?
If an employee’s summer 2019 or fall 2019 employment status changes after they have already had summer prepay deductions, they may receive refunds for the summer prepay deductions. If an employee will be terminating employment, and will not return in the fall, they should contact their human resources office for assistance in determining their employment termination and insurance coverage end dates.

Employees who anticipate that they will experience any other status change; marriage, adoption, birth, divorce, etc., should contact Human Resources so they understand the impacts to their insurance benefits.

What if an Employee does not Have Summer Prepay Insurance Premiums Deducted?
If an employee does not have summer prepay deductions taken in the spring, and then has a summer session/summer service appointment, they will be billed directly for payment of the additional premiums due to provide them with insurance coverage during the summer months. Payment must be made by the billing invoice due date to insure that insurance benefits are not canceled due to non-payment. If benefits are canceled due to nonpayment, the next opportunity to add the insurance benefits may be during the fall 2019 Annual Benefits Enrollment period with an effective insurance coverage date of January 1, 2020.

2019 Summer Prepay Deduction Schedule

Important: Most employees will have deductions taken according to this schedule. The Office of Human Resources can assist employees whose deduction schedule may vary from the schedule below based on appointment, summer employment, fall return date, or termination date.

Paychecks on Which Premiums will be Taken	Insurance	Premiums to be Taken
April 1, May 1, May 31	Health and other insurance deductions for programs in which you are enrolled.*	Regular premium deduction PLUS one summer premium deduction.
May 1	Income Continuation Insurance deduction	Regular premium deduction PLUS two summer premium deductions.
May 31	Income Continuation Insurance deduction	Regular premium deduction PLUS one summer premium deduction.

* Does not include Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) deductions. These deductions are calculated based on a 9-month schedule for academic (9-month) employees.

* Does not include Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA) and Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (WDC) deductions.

* Opt-Out Incentive and Health Savings Account (HSA) employer contribution will continue to be processed during the summer months.

How Will Summer Prepay Appear on Earnings Statements?
Employees should review their earnings statements to ensure that their insurance deductions are accurate for their situation. Summer prepay will appear as a lump sum amount on earnings statements. Deductions taken pre-tax (most medical-related premiums and a portion of State Group Life Insurance premiums) will be added together under ‘Prebtx’ and deductions taken post-tax (most life insurance premiums) will be added together under ‘Preatx.’ Regular benefit deductions for the month will continue to be listed under the plan name.

For questions, please contact Human Resources at (920) 465-2390 or payrollandbenefits@uwgb.edu.

Source: UW Service Center

Have you ever wished you could seek basic medical care from the comfort of your own home?
If so, the telemedicine/telehealth (used interchangeably) services added to the State Group Health Insurance Program effective January 1, 2019 may allow you to do so.

What is telemedicine/telehealth?
The remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by means of electronic communication. This means that for non-emergent medical care, you may be able to access care through video chat or a virtual house call. Through telemedicine, a doctor may be able to recommend treatment, prescribe medication, refer you to a specialist or tell you, based on your symptoms, if you should see a doctor in-person. Note: These services vary among the carriers in the State Group Health Insurance Program.

Why should you consider telemedicine services?
With telemedicine services, you may receive care quicker and it may be more convenient than going to your doctor’s office or to urgent care. They are also typically less expensive than an office visit or urgent care visit.

How will your telemedicine/telehealth service be covered by your State Group Health Insurance?
How the service is covered will depend on which plan design you are enrolled in.

• Health Plan: If you are enrolled in this plan, telemedicine services are covered at 100%.
• High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP): If you are enrolled in the HDHP, you will need to meet your deductible first, then these services will be covered at 100%. This is necessary in order to comply with Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility requirements as well as the coverage mandates under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

How can you obtain additional information regarding telemedicine services?
Generally, health plans offer telemedicine services through their online portals. If you’re unable to find telemedicine information through your health insurance plans online portal, contact your health insurance plan directly by calling the toll-free number on your health plan ID card.

Source: UW System Human Resources

Employees enrolled in the Health Care, Limited Purpose and/or Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for the 2018 plan year have until March 31, 2019 to submit claims to TASC, the FSA administrator, for reimbursement.

FSA claims may be submitted as follows:

• Mobile App: Use your mobile device’s camera to submit claims through TASC’s mobile app.
• TASC Online Account: Login to your TASC account to submit claims online.
• FSA Reimbursement Claim Form: Download a claim form and submit to TASC via fax or mail.

For efficient processing, remember to include the appropriate IRS required supporting documentation with your claim(s) submission.

Carryover Reminder: Up to $500 of unused funds in a 2018 Health Care FSA may carry over into a 2019 Health Care or Limited Purpose FSA account (even if you did not enroll in the FSA during the 2019 Annual Benefits Enrollment period). Unused funds greater than $500 on March 31, 2019 will be forfeited.

There is no carryover provision for the Dependent Day Care FSA.

For questions, contact TASC at 1-844-786-3947 or 1customercare@tasconline.com.

Source: UW System Human Resources

ETF is offering a series of 30-minute, live, interactive webinars designed to increase your understanding of Wisconsin Retirement System benefits. Individuals can also ask questions at the end of these sessions. Visit the ETF webinar page to learn more about any of the following sessions.

Additional Contributions

Find out how making additional contributions to your WRS account can potentially increase your retirement. This webinar also provides examples of how contributions grow over time with interest, how to pay additional contributions (payroll deduction or direct pay), etc.

• Wed, Feb 6, 2019 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Tue, Feb 12, 2019 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Mon, Feb 18, 2019 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Thu, Feb 28, 2019 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Beneficiary Designations – What Happens to My Account When I Die?

Do you have a beneficiary designation on file with ETF and does it reflect how you would want your WRS death benefits paid? This webinar reviews the importance of having a beneficiary designation on file and keeping it updated as life events occur. We will also review how to correctly complete a designation form, what it means if you do not have one on file with ETF, and how to request a copy of your current form.

• Mon, Feb 4, 2019 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Thu, Feb 14, 2019 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Mon, Feb 18, 2019 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Thu, Feb 28, 2019 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Overview of the Wisconsin Retirement System

This webinar will cover participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System, how the WRS is funded and what benefits are available under the WRS. A brief overview of the Core and Variable Trust Funds and how the WRS is structured are included.

• Thu, Feb 7, 2019 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• Wed, Feb 13, 2019 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Tue, Feb 19, 2019 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Mon, Feb 25, 2019 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.

WRS Annuity Adjustments and Effective Rates

Do WRS accounts receive an investment return? Do investment returns affect how much a retiree will initially receive when they begin their pension? Do those retired in the WRS receive adjustments to their monthly pension amount over the years? This webinar will cover the process of how account effective rates and annuity adjustments are calculated, starting with the investment return reported by the State of Wisconsin Investment Board. Also covered during the webinar will be explanations of both the Core and Variable Trust Funds and the calculations specific to each fund for effective rates and annual adjustments. At the end of this webinar, it is hoped that you will have a better grasp on how State of Wisconsin Investment Board investment returns affect your WRS pension.

• Tue, Feb 5, 2019 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Wed, Feb 13, 2019 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Thu, Feb 21, 2019 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Tue, Feb 26, 2019 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Register for a webinar

Please contact Human Resources at (920) 465-2390 or payrollandbenefits@uwgb.edu with any questions.

 

 

 

 

The Income Continuation Insurance (ICI) program is an ‘income replacement’ benefit plan that replaces up to 75% of your gross salary if you are unable to work due to a short or long-term disability.

If you are not currently enrolled in ICI, you may be able to enroll during the Annual ICI Deferred Enrollment opportunity through March 1, 2019. If you are currently enrolled in the ICI plan and have Standard ICI coverage, you may be eligible for Supplemental ICI coverage. Eligible employees were notified by email on January 18 from the UW System HR (uwsystemhr@uwsa.edu) email address.

Please see the Income Continuation Insurance section of the UW System Employee Benefits website for more information regarding eligibility and income continuation insurance benefits.

To apply for coverage through the Deferred Enrollment opportunity, you must complete an Income Continuation Insurance Application (ET-2307) and return it to your human resources office on or before March 1, 2019. ICI coverage elected through deferred enrollment will be effective April 1, 2019.

If you have questions, contact Payroll & Benefits at (920) 465-2390 or payrollandbenefits@uwgb.edu.

Source: UW Service Center

Income Continuation Insurance (ICI) premiums are updated annually on February 1. Updated premiums for University Staff (paid bi-weekly) will be reflected on the February 14, 2019 paycheck. Updated ICI premiums for Faculty/Academic Staff/Limited Appointees (paid monthly) will be reflected on the March 1, 2019 paycheck.

If you are currently enrolled in the ICI program, visit the ICI Premium Notice web page for your personalized updated premium amount. Current enrollees were sent an email January 18 directing them to this customized web page.

Several factors determine your premium amount:

• For University Staff: the ICI premium is based on 2018 earnings reported to the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), sick leave balance/usage as of December 22, 2018 and current ICI category.
• For Faculty/Academic Staff/Limited Appointees: the ICI premium is based on 2018 WRS-reported earnings and the selected ICI elimination period.

Please note: The ICI annual premium update effective February 1 is based on 2018 earnings and does not reflect any enrollments made during the ICI Deferred Enrollment period which began in January and ends March 1, 2019. Employees who are eligible to participate in the ICI Deferred Enrollment period received notification about their opportunity via an email sent January 19.

A complete list of ICI premiums and plan information is available on the ICI plan page. If you have questions, contact Payroll & Benefits at (920) 465-2390 or payrollandbenefits@uwgb.edu.

Source: UW Service Center

Join the staff and faculty who have a FAST Meal Plan by purchasing one of your own.  You can get meals in the Marketplace inside Leona Cloud Commons for as low as $5.64/meal (FAST 70 Plan) or Transfer/Trade meals from the various retail locations throughout campus.  Your FAST meals and points do not expire until used.  As an added benefit to the meals, purchasers of the FAST 50 & 70 plans for this spring receive a free stainless steel reusable mug that includes unlimited refills of coffee and soda (through May 16, 2019), plus bonus FAST Points.  To enroll in a plan, complete the FAST Meal Plan Deduction Request form or stop at the University Ticketing and Information Center (Union 2nd Floor) to purchase a plan with cash, check or credit/debit.  Please direct your questions to Tammy Olp at olpt@uwgb.edu.  The option for payroll deduction is good through February 8, 2019.