Category: Wellness

2023 Benefits Highlights

The Annual Benefits Enrollment (ABE) period is September 26 – October 21, 2022. This is your annual opportunity to enroll in or make changes to most benefits for the upcoming calendar year. Changes made during ABE are effective January 1, 2023. Below are some benefits highlights for 2023.

State Group Health Insurance
The health plan designs (health plan and high deductible health plan), and most health plan components (deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance) will remain the same. Employee premium information will be available prior to ABE.

Health Plan and High Deductible Health Plan
As previously announced, WEA Trust will no longer be a carrier option in the health insurance program for 2023. This includes WEA Trust East, WEA Trust West – Chippewa Valley, WEA Trust West – Mayo Clinic.

These health insurance carriers will be additional options available to you for 2023. Each will offer a health plan and a high deductible health plan option.

    • Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative
    • Dean Health Plan – Prevea360 West & Mayo Clinic Health System
    • Group Health Cooperative (GHC) of Eau Claire – River Region
    • HealthPartners – Southeast
    • Security Health Plan

Some health insurance carriers will have name changes.

    • Dean Health Plan – Prevea360 will change to Dean Health Plan – Prevea360 East
    • Group Health Cooperative (GHC) of Eau Claire will change to GHC of Eau Claire – Greater Wisconsin
    • HealthPartners will change to HealthPartners – West

All other health insurance carriers will continue to be offered for 2023.

Access Plans
The Access Health Plan and Access High Deductible Plan which offers nationwide coverage will continue to be available. Dean Health Plan is the new carrier for the Access Plans replacing WEA Trust.

Uniform and Preventive Dental Insurance Plans
These plans provide coverage for preventive dental services, most basic dental services, and orthodontia services (up to age 19). Both plans will continue to be offered. Employee premium information will be available prior to ABE.

Supplemental Dental Insurance Plans
The Select and Select Plus plans provide coverage for major and restorative dental services. One of the plans (Select Plus) covers orthodontia services for children and adults. You may enroll in one supplemental dental insurance plan. Employee premiums will remain the same for 2023.

Vision Insurance Plan
The vision insurance plan provides coverage for an annual eye exam and materials (contacts and/or glasses). Employee premiums will remain the same for 2023.

Accident Insurance Plan
This plan will help cover expenses by providing a lump sum payment to you for specific injuries due to an accident. For 2023, cash benefit payment amounts for most covered injuries due to an accident will increase. In addition, cash benefit payments will be added for surgical anesthesia, joint replacement, and modifications to home and/or vehicle. This plan includes an Accidental Death & Dismemberment component. Employee premiums will remain the same for 2023.

Pre-tax Spending and Savings Accounts
Below are the pre-tax spending and savings accounts maximum contribution amounts for 2023.

    • Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): $2,850
    • Dependent Day Care Account: $2,500 or $5,000 (depending on tax filing status)
    • Parking & Transit Accounts: $280 (monthly amount)
    • Health Savings Accounts: $3,850 for single health insurance; $7,750 for family health insurance

The Healthcare FSAs and Parking & Transit Accounts will have an annual minimum contribution requirement of $50 starting in 2023.

The Healthcare FSA carryover limit will increase to $570. The Dependent Day Care Account does not have a carryover provision. The Parking & Transit Accounts and Health Savings Account have unlimited carryover.

Next Steps
Watch for emails in September for more information including action required, premiums, and other benefits available to you. Virtual benefits sessions will be available to help you understand the changes and your options for 2023.

Source: UW System Human Resources

Register for Flu Clinics

The Well Wisconsin Program is offering workplace flu clinics.

Flu vaccinations are free and voluntary for all who are eligible for the Well Wisconsin Program.

  • You will be required to present your medical ID card at the flu clinic.
  • After you register for your appointment online, your Next Step will be to complete the digital consent form.
  • A link to the digital consent form will be available on the appointment confirmation page and in your confirmation email.

Nurses administering the vaccine will wear masks. Participants should follow local guidance regarding masks.

Location: Green Bay Campus, World Unity A Room in University Union

Date: October 25, 2022

Time: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM

 

Location: Sheboygan Campus 

Date: October 17, 2022

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

The vaccination will protect against the four most likely causes of flu illness during the upcoming season, including the H1N1- strain of influenza.

The vaccine is preservative-free.

The vaccine is not recommended for the following individuals:

  • Those allergic to eggs or egg products
  • Those who have an active neurological disorder
  • Those with a fever, acute respiratory or other active infection or illness

If you are pregnant, you should receive the vaccine directly from your physician.

Preregistration is required. No cash payments or insurance payments accepted. To register for your flu vaccination appointment, log into the wellness portal at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin and click “Register” on the Flu Vaccination card.

For more information about the flu vaccination, visit cdc.gov/flu.

Onsite Health Screenings – Green Bay & Sheboygan Campus

Don’t forget to register for your onsite health screening!

A free health screening* event has been scheduled for employees (and spouses) who are enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program.

At an onsite screening, you’ll learn your measurements for blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol (HDL, LDL and total), triglycerides and glucose, and be in and out in 20 minutes. Register today!

  • DATE:  Thursday, September 22, 2022
  • TIME:  8:30 am to 1:00 pm
  • LOCATION:  University Union, Phoenix Rooms, Green Bay campus

 

  • DATE:  Tuesday, September 6, 2022
  • TIME:  9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • LOCATION:  Sheboygan Campus

Please register at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin by clicking Benefits, and then Get Started on the Biometric Screening card.

Earn your $150 Well Wisconsin Incentive

Complete three activities by October 14, 2022 to earn the $150 Well Wisconsin incentive.

  1. Get a health screening or complete another health check option (ex. dental exam or coaching session).
  2. Complete the health assessment at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin – it takes about 10 minutes and is mobile and tablet friendly!
  3. Complete a well-being activity (ex. complete a challenge, listen to two 30 minute pod casts, etc.).

For more information on the Well Wisconsin Program or to complete your activities, log in to webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin­­.

*The Well Wisconsin incentive program is a voluntary program available to employees, retirees and spouses enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program, excluding Medicare Advantage participants who have incentives available through their health plan. The Well Wisconsin incentive will automatically be issued to eligible participants upon completing the applicable activities. All wellness incentives paid to participants are considered taxable income to the group health plan subscriber and are reported to their employer, who will issue a W2. In some cases, the Wisconsin Retirement System acts as the employer. Retirees, continuants and their spouses will have some taxes withheld from the incentive amount earned.

WRS Webinars in August

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. To avoid connectivity issues during webinars, we highly recommend using Google Chrome as your web browser.

Annuity Options

When you get your retirement estimate, you’ll see that there are many options for receiving your retirement benefit. You can choose to receive the payment for your life or extend it beyond your life to your loved ones. The choice is yours. We’ll discuss how each option impacts the size of your payment and affects your loved ones.

By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

  • Define and explain annuity, annuitant, beneficiary and named survivor.
  • Compare the different annuity options.
  • Find resources with more information.
  • Identify the next steps for you to choose an annuity option.

Tue, Aug 2, 2022 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Thu, Aug 11, 2022 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Tue, Aug 30, 2022 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/9049718892596506635

How to Use ETF’s Online Retirement Calculator

Curious about how much money you’ll get during retirement? Our most used online tool, the retirement calculator, lets you see how much money you may get in the future.

By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

  • Find information on your Statement of Benefits used for calculations.
  • Enter information into the WRS Retirement Benefits Calculator.
  • See an unofficial estimate of your WRS Retirement Benefits online.

Wed, Aug 3, 2022 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Tue, Aug 16, 2022 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Thu, Aug 25, 2022 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/3307910842676064271

WRS Retirement Benefit Calculations

Have you requested a retirement estimate? Thinking about it? In this webinar, we’ll discuss how we calculate your retirement benefit.

By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

  • Explain the individual components of the two retirement benefit calculation methods.
  • Describe what affects your WRS retirement benefit for each type of calculation (money purchase and formula).

Tue, Aug 9, 2022, 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Thu, Aug 25, 2022 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Wed, Aug 31, 2022, 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/3088936504935039758

WRS Webinars in July

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. To avoid connectivity issues during webinars, we highly recommend using Google Chrome as your web browser.

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

Death is never easy to talk about, but it’s important to know where your money is going. Learn what happens to your WRS account when you pass away, why it’s important to designate a beneficiary and the importance of keeping your account up to date.

By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

  • Define beneficiary and standard sequence.
  • Explain the importance of a beneficiary form.
  • Identify who or what could be a beneficiary.
  • Select the appropriate beneficiary form.
  • Update your beneficiary.

Tue, July 12, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Wed, July 20, 2022 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Thu, July 28, 2022 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/1235712954144225294

Newly Retired? What to Expect

When you first retire, you may experience several changes.

We’ll help prepare you for some of these changes by discussing the following:

  • Explain your annuity payment and why it may change.
  • Identify mailings you will receive during retirement.
  • Be aware of life changes during retirement that may affect your benefits.

Thu, July 14, 2022 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Tue, July 19, 2022 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Wed, July 27, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/3312566174199303180

Overview of the Wisconsin Retirement System

Are you new to the Wisconsin Retirement System? We’ll let you know what to expect.

By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

  • Identify and explain the elements of the Wisconsin Retirement System.
  • Explain how the WRS pension works.
  • Identify benefits available through the WRS.
  • Find resources for more information.

Tue, July 12, 2022, 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Thu, July 21, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Wed, July 27, 2022 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/3399334134305369869

Preparing for Your Retirement

Planning to retire in the next 5 years? Then this webinar is for you. Learn about your WRS benefits and the retirement process.

By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

  • Explain how the WRS retirement benefit works.
  • Recognize eligibility and prepare to apply for benefits.
  • Identify the different types of annuity options.
  • Prepare for health and life insurance changes in retirement.
  • Find additional resources.

Wed, July 13, 2022 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Thu, July 28, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tue, Aug 9, 2022 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Wed, Aug 24, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Sept 8, 2022 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Wed, Sept 21, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tue, Oct 4, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Oct 20, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wed, Nov 2, 2022 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thu, Nov 17, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Dec 1, 2022 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Tue, Dec 13, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/2592441029449835020