|
|
|
|
March 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
Article Content
 |
| Agency Update |
|
 | PEBB seeks to support agency and university administration of benefits. These periodic newsletters keep you updated on plans and changes. We look forward to your ideas and feedback.
Download the March Agency Update (pdf)
|
|
|
|
| pebb.benefits |
|
FSAs. Pebb.benefits controls member enrollment and elections in flexible spending accounts (FSAs). Making a change in FSA deduction codes in a payroll system will not affect FSA enrollment and eligibility in pebb.benefits, but it will create a discrepancy between payroll and pebb.benefits. Member records with discrepancies are put on hold, and no claims are paid until the “hold” is removed. Only PEBB staff can make changes to FSAs. Forward FSA forms to PEBB as soon as possible to ensure changes go into effect when expected.
Data File Schedule. PEBB sends weekly eligibility files to the plans on Saturday. Plans have three business days to load them. Do not expect enrollment changes to be in effect before Thursday.
Optional Life Insurance. March 1, PEBB will disable the Save function in the Pending Coverage page for optional life insurance. The Standard now processes all life insurance determinations directly in pebb.benefits. This ensures new enrollments are processed as soon as a determination is made. Send requests for corrections to pdb.administration@state.or.us.
Housekeeping. After you open a drawer, do you close it? It’s a good habit that keeps things tidy for those who come along after you. Try to make it a habit to close cases in the Contact Management section of pebb.benefits, too. It’s a courtesy.
|
|
|
| Forms |
|
Dates. Remember to date-stamp all forms before forwarding them to PEBB. Most PEBB rules relate to the date a member submits information – whether by form or in pebb.benefits. Forgetting to date-stamp a form can impact enrollment and midyear changes.
Revisions. PEBB revised forms for 2010. This makes previous forms obsolete, including forms for making midyear changes. Staff has removed obsolete forms from the Web. Please do not use obsolete forms. Delete any digital versions you have saved, and recycle printed copies. Link to forms: http://www.oregon.gov/DAS/PEBB/forms.shtml.
|
|
|
| Plan Transitions |
|
Census. PEBB census reports capture enrollment as a picture in time. Here’s a snapshot of enrollment as of Jan. 15. It reflects the results of hard work by agency and university staff through Open Enrollment and the start of the 2010 plan year. Thank you for all your efforts.
|
PEBB-eligible Employee Enrollment, Jan. 15, 2010
|
|
Medical Plans
|
Plan Name
|
Agencies
|
Universities
|
Total
|
Kaiser Permanente
|
6,405
|
956
|
7,361
|
PEBB Statewide
|
25,890
|
10,435
|
36,325
|
Providence Choice
|
3,151
|
644
|
3,795
|
Medical Opt Out
|
1,184
|
659
|
1,843
|
|
Dental Plans
|
Plan Name
|
Agencies
|
Universities
|
Total
|
Kaiser
|
5,267
|
752
|
6,019
|
ODS
|
26,548
|
10,332
|
36,880
|
Willamette
|
4,813
|
1,658
|
6,471
|
|
|
|
| Communications |
|
PEBB Digest. From time to time, PEBB distributes a digest of articles about health, healthcare choices and their affects on benefits. Read www.oregon.gov/DAS/PEBB/news/2010Digest/Feb18.shtml.
March Newsletter. The March newsletter will be posted to the Web March 3, with notice distributed the evening of March 2. The cover story advises members to go directly to the source for answers to questions on healthcare, coverage and eligibility. Additional pieces include stories of member success with Weight Watchers; tobacco cessation with Free & Clear; and the PEBB Vision for healthcare. Link to newsletters: www.oregon.gov/DAS/PEBB/publications.shtml
|
|
|
| Board |
|
Membership. Bret West of the Department of Administrative Services and Suzanne Hoffman of the Department of Human Services have left the Board. New Board members are Fariborz Paskaresht of the Oregon Youth Authority and Barney Speight of the Oregon Health Authority. Read brief bios of Board members online: www.oregon.gov/DAS/PEBB/boardmembers.shtml.
Officers. Rich Peppers is now chair of the Board. Barney Speight is vice chair.
|
|
|
| Agency Resources |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|