Once again this year, you will have the convenience of enrolling in some of your benefits directly through the Internet from your home or workplace.
Beginning Monday, October 8, 2012 through Friday, November 2, 2012, all benefits eligible employees will be required to:
- Attend a group meeting with an overview of the changes & benefits being offered for the 2013 plan year. Please note that the group meeting schedule will be posted at your respective location.
After your group meeting, you will be able to schedule a date and time to meet individually with a Mark III Benefits Counselor.
Benefits which DO NOT REQUIRE assistance from a Mark III Benefits Counselor (You may enroll via the internet).
- Flexible Benefit Administrators Health & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Ameritas Dental
- Superior Vision
You will have until Sunday, November 4th to add or make changes to these benefits.
Benefits that WILL REQUIRE a personal meeting with a Mark III Benefits Counselor*
- Allstate Cancer
- Continental American Accident
- Humana Short Term Disability
- Minnesota Life Term Life
- Texas Life Whole Life
*The benefits which require assistance from a Benefits Counselor CANNOT be changed or added via the Internet.
Please note that being able to enroll online in some of the benefits does not remove your responsibility to attend a group meeting. You may want to leave your benefits the same and that is fine, but it is a good idea to go online and review the benefit information for yourself and your dependents.
Instructions on how to access the internet site will be provided in the benefits booklet that you will receive at your group meeting. You may also check into the website, www.markiiibrokerage.com/dpsnc and access the benefits booklet along with the internet instructions.
- Colonial & First Financial
All benefits that you currently have will remain on payroll deduction.
- Flexible Benefit Administrators (FBA) Health & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (pre-tax)
You MUST re-enroll in your Health and/or Dependent Care account each year if you wish to participate. The Health & Dependent Care Spending Account balances DO NOT carry over from one year to the next. Any unused balance will be forfeited under the IRS regulation, "Use it or Lose it".
It is important to retain all receipts during the plan year in the event that Flexible Benefit Administrators or the IRS asks for verification of a purchase. You are required to have a prescription or letter of medical necessity for Over-the-Counter (“OTC”) items.
The current run off period will change from 60 to 90 days effective January 1st. This means that you will have 90 days after the plan year has ended to present receipts to FBA for expenses that occurred within the plan year.
Due to mandated Healthcare Reform, the HealthCare annual participation maximum will decrease from $3,000 to $2,500 on January 1st.
If your debit card does not have an expiration date of December 31, 2012, please do not throw it away. You will use it for the 2013 plan year. If you elect the spending account(s) during this enrollment, you will receive a Mastercard debit card in the mail from Flexible Benefit Administrators prior to January 1st.
As a reminder with the Dependent Care Account, you must have the exact dollar amount in your account that you wish to get reimbursed for. The entire Health Care amount elected can be used on the first day of the plan year.
- Ameritas Dental (pre-tax)
You will have an additional option for dental coverage with a PPO Dental plan. In the PPO Dental plan, all in-network providers have a lower negotiated rate for procedures which allows you to save money out-of-pocket and allows you to get more out of your annual maximum allowance. You will also notice slightly lower premiums on the PPO plan.
New dental enrollees (employees or dependents) to the dental plans will be subject to the Late Entrant Provision. The Late Entrant Provision states there is a 12-month waiting period on all procedures except for cleanings, exams, and fluoride treatments.
- Superior Vision (pre-tax)
Durham Public Schools is pleased to advise that the vision premium will not increase in 2013 and you will continue to have access to elect dependent coverage.
- Continental American Insurance Company Group Accident (pre-tax)
The accident plan is Guaranteed Issue and assists you with a cash benefit for accidents, hospitalization, broken bones, fractures, and emergency treatment just to name a few.
This plan provides on & off the job coverage and will pay regardless of any other insurance you may have. During the enrollment you will be able to elect coverage on your spouse and children.
You must be actively at work to apply for this benefit
- Allstate Cancer Plan (pre-tax)
This benefit provides coverage not only if you suffer from cancer but also for 29 specified diseases.
Another great feature of the Cancer plan is the yearly wellness benefit that each insured person can take advantage of when listed wellness tests are performed by a physician.
Current employees will have access to either of the low options on a Guaranteed Issue basis. The Pre-existing clause is waived for you and your dependents if you are insured on another cancer plan which is being payroll deducted by Durham Public Schools.
Please see a Mark III Benefits Counselor for more information. You must be actively at work to apply for this benefit.
- Humana Short Term Disability (after-tax)
The Humana plan will be Guaranteed Issue again for existing participants and pre-existing conditions will not apply.
If you apply as a first time participant, the plan will be Guaranteed Issue, with a pre-existing clause.
Keep in mind that short term disability is designed to protect your salary if you are out of work due to a sickness or an accident. You will be able to collect up to a maximum of 70% of your gross monthly salary if a claim you file is approved. This disability plan does not offset with other forms of insurance such as workers compensation, sick leave or vacation days.
Please see a Mark III Benefits Counselor for more information. You must be actively at work to apply for this benefit.
- Minnesota Life Term Life (after-tax)
Term life is an inexpensive means of having life insurance while employed at Durham Public Schools.
Beginning with your first 2013 Supplemental Term Life payroll deduction, the deduction will be based on a 10 pay deduction schedule. Your payroll check(s) will reflect the premium associated with 10 payroll deductions. This will be the only benefit deducted on a 10 pay deduction schedule.
There is an exciting enhancement on the Supplemental Term Life plan. If you currently have the Supplemental Term life plan, you may elect to increase one level, up to the new maximum of $100,000 without completing a health statement. You will now have the face amount options of $60,000, $70,000, $80,000 and $90,000. If you increase more than one level, you must complete a health statement. All amounts over $100,000 will require a health statement.
If you do not currently have Supplemental Term Life coverage and elect it for January 1, 2013, you may elect $10,000 coverage without completing a health statement.
If you have been previously declined by Minnesota Life, you are not eligible for the Guaranteed Issue provision. You must complete a health statement when you apply, no matter what face amount you elect.
Any coverage amount elected on a spouse requires a health statement. A health statement is not required for child(ren).
Please see a Mark III Benefits Counselor for more information. You must be actively at work to apply for this benefit.
- Texas Life Whole Life (after-tax)
This benefit is portable and is paid up at either age 70 or after 20 years of having the policy. As an employee, you can apply for up to $100,000 whole life insurance coverage. Your spouse can be covered for up to $50,000 coverage if you also apply. This is a great opportunity for you to elect Whole Life Insurance. You may also elect coverage on your child(ren) and grandchild(ren).
You must be actively at work to apply for this benefit.
2013 ENROLLMENT WITH COUNSELORS ONSITE:
OCTOBER 8, 2012 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2, 2012.
DEADLINE DATE TO ENROLL VIA the INTERNET: NOVEMBER 4, 2012. NOTE: Only Dental, Vision, and the Flexible Spending Accounts can be enrolled by the Internet.
If you should have any questions, please contact your Human Resources Department at 919.560.3643 or Mark III Brokerage at 1.800.532.1044.
