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June 2009 - Issue 238

Eugene Education Association

2815 Coburg Road • Eugene, OR 97408 • Phone 541-345-0338

THANK YOU KIT DUCHIN!

Your Joint Benefits Committee will be losing a dedicated and knowledgeable member with the retirement of Kit Duchin.  Kit first joined the JBC during the 1995-96 school year and has been actively involved in benefits issues and advocacy ever since.  Her presence on the JBC will be greatly missed, but we all wish her the best as she begins her next series of adventures.   Thanks Kit for all your work on behalf of members – you’re a peach!

 

2009-2010 INSURANCE

Medical Coverage:  The JBC has decided to continue to offer the same four medical plans in 4J next year:  plan 3 ($100 deductible), plan 5 ($200 deductible), plan 7 ($500 deductible) and plan 8 ($1,000 deductible).

Pharmacy Coverage:  When you select a medical plan, your pharmacy coverage election will be automatic.  Only one pharmacy plan is available to 4J employees (plan B), so there is no choice to be made.

Vision Coverage:  If you enroll in medical coverage, you must also enroll in vision coverage.  Only one vision plan is available to 4J employees (plan 3).  4J policy does not allow you to waive vision coverage without also waiving medical/pharmacy coverage. 

Dental Coverage:  The same dental plan will be available to 4J employees (plan 4), but beginning October 1, 2009 any licensed employee, regardless of FTE, may elect to waive dental coverage, thereby reducing monthly out-of-pocket insurance costs.  If you have dental coverage through another group plan, this may be an option for you, but please consider carefully before waiving your 4J dental coverage.

You may only waive dental coverage during Open Enrollment (or upon initial eligibility for insurance) and you will not be able to re-enroll in dental coverage for the remainder of the plan year.  The only exception to this is if you lose eligibility for other group dental coverage and provide proof of the loss within 31 days. 

Members who do not enroll in the dental plan when originally eligible and elect to enroll during a future Open Enrollment will be subject to “waiting period” restrictions – meaning for the first 12 months, the dental coverage will only allow preventive services and no orthodontia.  The 12-month waiting period does not apply for members who enroll in OEBB dental coverage due to loss of eligibility for other group coverage.

For retirees, a waiver of coverage is permanent and irrevocable.  The only time a retiree may reenroll in the dental plan after waiving OEBB coverage is due to the loss of other group dental coverage.  (Proof of the loss must be provided within 31 days in order to enroll.)

Long-Term Disability (LTD) Coverage:  LTD insurance is designed to provide income protection for employees who are unable to continue working or must reduce hours due to a disability.  All licensed active employees will be automatically enrolled in the 4J LTD policy. Licensed retirees will not be enrolled in this coverage.

Basic Life / Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Coverage:  All active licensed employees will be automatically enrolled in a basic $50,000 group Life/AD&D insurance policy.  Licensed retirees will not be enrolled in this coverage.

During the summer, you will receive two mailings:  one from OEBB and one from 4J.  Please open, read and save both mailings – they contain important benefits information for you.

OEBB will send you an overview of the plans available in 4J, and a benefit summary showing your current elections and dependents covered.  It will also contain directions detailing how to log onto the myOEBB website if you decide to make changes to your enrollment. 

OEBB has not yet published final rates, but we hope to get that information soon.  The    summer mailing from 4J will contain rate sheets to help you decide which plan best suits your needs.  The 4J packet will also include the schedule for Open Enrollment meetings – those meetings are an excellent way to get your benefits questions answered.

 

OPTIONAL LIFE INSURANCE

Optional Life Coverage:  Active licensed employees will be able to purchase employee life insurance coverage beyond the basic $50,000 policy provided by the District if they choose.  Licensed retirees may also enroll in this optional coverage.  Employees and retirees who enroll in optional life coverage may choose to purchase spouse/partner life insurance and optional child life insurance as well. 

Rates are based on age as of October 1 and the amount of coverage purchased.  To see rates for these additional insurances, please visit
http://oregon.gov/DAS/OEBB/docs/Rates/2009/Rates/LifeRates2009.pdf

 

SUMMER WELLNESS CLINIC HOURS

The Wellness Clinic will maintain its regular hours this summer.  The clinic is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  It closes for lunch from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, and will be closed July 3, 2009.  The clinic phone number remains unchanged at 541-686-1427.

It’s possible that the clinic will close early if no late afternoon appointments are scheduled.  If you get voicemail late in the day, call back in the morning and you should be able to schedule your appointment.

 

SUMMER BREAK

Like all teachers, I will be on vacation time beginning June 19th and will be back in the office full-time September 1st.  However, I will be periodically checking voicemail and e-mail during the summer.  If you need to reach me, please call or send an e-mail, and I will get back to you as soon as I am able (wenzl@4j.lane.edu / 541-790-7682).

For questions regarding benefits or claims:


For questions regarding eligibility:


For general plan information:


Have a wonderful, relaxing and rejuvenating summer vacation!