You can enroll children for coverage to age 26.

Providence Choice has expanded to offer Medical Homes in areas of Linn-Benton, Marion-Polk, Lane, Deschutes, Curry, and Clark counties. The Portland Metro area also has new Medical Homes through Providence Choice.

In addition to Medical Opt Out, members with proof of both medical and dental coverage in another employer-sponsored group health plan may opt out of combined medical and dental. Members can opt out against TRICARE.

Health plans are available by service area. You can enroll in Providence Choice and Kaiser Permanente (including Kaiser dental) if you live or work (at least 50 percent of the time) in the plan’s service area. You can enroll in PEBB’s Statewide Plan and ODS dental plans no matter where you live or work. Willamette Dental provides services only in Willamette Dental offices.

Health plan premium rates will increase about 10 percent in 2011.

 

Log in at https://pebb.benefits.oregon.gov 

 

Click "Get it now" if you forgot your user name or password. You can reset your password by answering security questions or get a temporary password by e-mail if your e-mail address is in your benefit record. If you choose the e-mail option,

Click here for a video with log-in instructions.

 

Enroll in core benefits

Enroll in or change optional benefits

Enroll in a flexible spending account

Click here for a schedule of online meetings on these accounts.

 

Confirm and save your enrollments

Click here for a video with enrollment instructions.

 

Required Documentation

You must provide required documentation to your agency by Nov. 5, 2010, for the following enrollments to go into effect:

Click here to view affidavits and other PEBB forms.

Click here for information on opting out.

Click here for questions and answers on Open Enrollment.

Beginning Oct. 1, 2010, one call does it all to enroll in Weight Watchers.

 

To enroll: Call Weight Watchers at 1-866-454-2144,* provide your name and ID number from your insurance card, and choose your path – worksite meetings, local meetings, or online.

To Renew Meetings: Show your pocket guide to the leader or receptionist to verify your attendance at 10 of 13 meetings and get a single-use renewal coupon. Call 1-866-454-2144,* and provide your name and ID number from your insurance card. You’ll get a new meeting pass by mail in about three weeks.

 

To Renew Online: Complete the Participation Form, and send it with your Weight Tracker summary via fax 1-888-598-7704 or e-mail pebbweightwatchersrenewal@callTSC.com. You’ll get an access code in five to seven business days. Call 1-866-454-2144 and provide the access code to get a new 14-digit promotion code.

For no-cost Weight Watchers in 2011, all principal subscribers must complete an annual online health assessment. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes and it’s completely confidential. Besides giving you no-cost access to Weight Watchers, the assessment helps you identify your health risks, set health goals and get familiar with the support tools on the plan’s website.

 

Access your Online Health Assessment using instructions on your health plan’s website. For Kaiser, click here. For the PEBB Statewide and Providence Choice plans, click here.

 

If you’re not changing between Kaiser and Providence-administered plans for 2011, you can take the online health assessment beginning October 1 and have it count for 2011. If you are changing between these plans, you can complete the assessment with your new plan after January 1. It will take about three weeks after you complete the assessment for your name to appear on the Weight Watchers eligibility list. Call Weight Watchers after three weeks have passed.

 

 

 

You can’t know the future, but you can purchase insurance against what it might bring. The PEBB program offers several types of optional plans to consider during Open Enrollment. Click here for some example situations to help you think about your insurance needs.

 

Life Insurance

 

As part of your core benefits, your agency pays for a basic $5,000 policy for you, as an employee. PEBB also offers optional life insurance policies you can purchase. With few exceptions, benefits are paid only on death of the insured. Enrolling or increasing coverage during Open Enrollment requires approval of medical history by the insurer. Coverage goes into effect no earlier than the first of the month following approval.

 

Disability Insurance

 

Disability insurance replaces part of your income when you can’t work because of a disability caused by accident or illness. Be sure you understand how deductible income affects this benefit.

 

Long Term Care Insurance

 

Long-term care insurance covers assistance in your home or a facility when you need help with activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing and toileting. You can enroll in this plan any time, as can your family members. Enrolling or increasing coverage after initial eligibility requires approval of medical history by the insurer. Coverage goes into effect no earlier than the first of the month following approval.

 

What Will It Cost?

 

You purchase optional insurance in PEBB at group rates, and payroll deducts premiums from your pay. Your agency provides no contribution. Click here for a worksheet to help you estimate monthly premiums for coverage in these optional benefits.

 

More Information on Optional Insurance

 

 

Open Enrollment is your opportunity to set up a flexible spending account for the 2011 plan year, Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2011. Enroll online through PEBB’s online system anytime through Oct. 31, 2010.

 

Tax Savings

 

An FSA lets you use pre-tax dollars to pay for certain health care or dependent care expenses. Because you don’t pay federal, state or FICA taxes on the amount elected, you can save up to 40 cents on each dollar you contribute to these accounts.

 

Webinars

 

ASIFlex, the plan administrator, will be conducting webinars with detailed information on FSAs and how they might benefit you. Click here for details at:

Qualified Expenses

 

You can use your Health Care account for out-of-pocket health care expenses for you, your spouse and any tax dependents. Commonly claimed expenses include doctor co-pays, deductibles, prescription co-pays, and some eligible dental and vision expenses.

 

You can use a Dependent Care account to pay for daycare expenses while you and your spouse work, attend school full-time or look for employment.

 

Find a comprehensive list of qualified expenses at ASIFlex’s website.

 

Using Your Account

 

Payroll deducts an equal portion of your annual election from you pay monthly (minimum $20). You access the funds by submitting requests for reimbursement to ASIFlex. Or, you can sign up for an optional debit card to pay for health care expenses with certain providers. ASIFlex may ask you to substantiate your transactions to continue using the card, so always keep your itemized receipts.

 

Note: As of Jan. 1, 2011, a change in federal law will require you to submit a prescription for any over-the-counter (OTC) drugs or medicine you purchase to be eligible for reimbursement. You will no longer be able to use your card to pay for these expenses. Affected items include pain relievers, cold and allergy medications, and antacids but not supplies such as contact lens solution and bandages.

 

Use It, Don’t Lose It

 

An FSA offers you a vehicle to save money by reducing your annual tax obligation, but you must plan carefully! You can’t revoke the account during the year, and you forfeit any balance remaining in the account after the deadline for submitting claims for reimbursement. But, If you anticipate your expenses, you may find you use every penny.

 

Summary Plan Description

 

Click here to read about flexible spending accounts in PEBB’s Summary Plan Description.

Public Employees’ Benefit Board (PEBB)

 

 

PEBB Plans

Contact the plans about coverage, services, providers, service areas and claims