Annual Compensation Reports (ACRs) are necessary to ensure accurate billing and proper benefits for your workers. If your ministry previously used the ACR Online Tool, please note that this tool is not available for 2024 submissions. Instead, ACR forms were mailed to your ministry. Please complete and return the ACR form by Jan. 31, 2024, using the envelope provided. If you would prefer to complete a digital template with your workers’ 2024 salary, please contact your Account Manager to request a digital form and instructions. Visit our ACR resource page for instructions, FAQs and more.
Now Available: Quantum Health employer toolkit
Starting Jan. 1, 2024, Quantum Health will be your workers’ healthcare navigator – the best, first point of contact for ALL healthcare-related questions. No question is too big or too small – from complicated decisions regarding surgery or a health condition to wellness goals to improve daily life. Quantum is a single source for all your workers’ questions — one phone number, one website, one dedicated team of real, live people! They’ll have a personal team of nurses and healthcare benefit experts working with them and their providers to make navigating care simpler and more affordable.
Here’s what you can do to prepare:
Remind workers who are enrolled in the CHP that they’ll be sent a new combination medical + prescription drug ID card* for 2024. Their 2023 cards will not be valid after Dec. 31. The new ID card should arrive in the mail towards the end of December, but it also will be available digitally at ConcordiaPlans.quantum-health.com after Dec. 26. *Members enrolled in Cigna HMO, Kaiser and Premium Plus plan options will not receive new ID cards. They should continue to use their current cards.
Learn more about Quantum by visiting the Quantum Health employer toolkit.
Talk to your workers about how Quantum can help them with ALL their healthcare needs and share the resources found in your toolkit.
Three exciting programs are coming to the Concordia Health Plan starting Jan. 1 – Quantum Health, Healthcare Bluebook and Telehealth with Teladoc, and Concordia Plans wants to tell you all about these.
2024 CHP Wellness Solutions: What Employers Need to Know Date: Jan. 23, 2024 Time: 1 p.m. CST
Join Kelly Menke, CPS Health and Wellness Educator, as she shares info about these wellness solutions and how you can best help your workers. The webinar will also feature special guests from Quantum Health to explain what healthcare navigation is and how their Care Coordinators help workers with their healthcare journeys.
If you offer the Concordia Health Plan, be sure to share these legal notices and documents with all new workers you hire in 2024. You can find these at ConcordiaPlans.org/Plans.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Model Notice: This notice should be printed and provided to all current workers and new workers when they begin employment at your ministry, regardless of their CHP eligibility.
Other required notices: The remaining documents listed below should be printed and provided to all workers who are eligible for the CHP prior to their enrollment. This includes current workers, new workers when they begin employment and workers who increase their hours and become eligible for CHP coverage.
Summary(ies) of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) for the health plan option(s) you offer
Previously we communicated that members would be sent an email confirmation of their benefit elections. Instead, members can log in to their Member Portal and follow these instructions to see their elections:
Locate the "My Benefits" section located on the portal’s homepage.
Click on "View my coverage” button and then choose "View My Elections" from the drop-down menu that will appear.
From "My Elections History" page, click on "View Details" button on the "Open Enrollment" card.
December Group-Term Life report to help with year-end tax reporting
Throughout the year we send monthly reports showing changes in your workforce that affect the Basic Life Insurance benefits you provide under the Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan. To assist with year-end tax reporting, your December Group-Term Life report will include a comprehensive list of all your workers and their imputed income.
Please note the following items as you review your December GTL report:
The amounts provided for each worker on the list are monthly totals. Please be aware that annual totals should be calculated from these monthly amounts.
The report includes “Start” and “End” date columns to indicate the date range for that calculation. If there’s no recorded end date, continue with that amount until a new report indicates a change.
An individual may be listed more than once, which indicates a change in coverage.
Changes to imputed income amounts for December are indicated in bold type.
If you have any questions, visit ConcordiaPlans.org/GTL for additional resources, including frequently asked questions. You may also contact us at [email protected] or 888-927-7526.
2023 Vitality Tax Report
If your ministry participates in the Vitality wellness program, watch for the cumulative 2023 Vitality Tax Report in mid-to-late December. This report includes the information you need to ensure accurate W-2 reporting.
This is the earliest we can mail this document. If you need it sooner, please contact your Account Manager to receive an electronic copy.
Reminder: The value of the Vitality Wellness rewards is considered a non-cash wage and subject to FICA/SECA tax and applicable federal and state income taxes. You will need to add these non-cash wages to gross pay for tax calculations. Don’t pay your worker the rewards - they were paid by Vitality. The gross amount and related taxes should be included on the worker's Form W-2.
CRSP 403(b) Compliance Checklist
The Concordia Retirement Savings Plan 403(b) is an excellent way to help your workers prepare for retirement. While the CRSP 403(b) makes saving easy for the worker, it does come with some additional administrative responsibilities for the employer. Check out this compliance checklist to help you stay on track.
Concordia Plans payroll services partner, Paychex, is currently offering one year of FREE electronic W2s for all new clients that run their first payroll with Paychex between now and Feb. 28, 2024.
Why Paychex? They provide:
Payroll Processing & Tax Administration – Automatic calculation and payment of your federal, state and local tax liabilities, as well as accurate and timely quarterly and annual filings.
Peace of Mind – Assurance that you’re joining a family of more than 600 LCMS churches and schools that have chosen Paychex as their payroll and HR partner.
Multiple Payment Methods – Use direct deposit, pay cards and more to meet the needs of your employees.
Dedicated Payroll Specialists – Trained on intricacies of clergy payroll and items such as the minister housing allowance, worker classification, exemption laws and more.
Do you know a college student who is interested in growing his or her skills next summer while serving the LCMS?
CPS is looking for 2024 summer interns for a variety of areas, including IT, human resources, creative marketing and business administration. Interns should be entering their junior or senior year of college in Fall 2024 and available to serve at the International Center in St. Louis May 29 through July 26. Our paid internship program helps young people develop skills through project work, creates meaningful mentor relationships with experienced professionals, offers training on real-world business scenarios and more. To learn more visit ConcordiaPlans.org/careers.
Workers enrolled in the Concordia Health Plan* soon will be sent communications about their 2024 ID cards and health benefits changes that begin Jan. 1, 2024.
Concordia Plans is letting workers know they’ll be sent a new combination medical + prescription drug ID card for 2024 because their 2023 cards will not be valid after Dec. 31. The new ID card should arrive in the mail towards the end of December, but it will also be available digitally at ConcordiaPlans.quantum-health.com after Dec. 26.
By now you’re probably familiar with the name Quantum Health, and you know about the change in medical administrators for BCBS to Ameriben and Cigna (non-HMO) to Allegiance. We’ve been sharing information about these changes with you and your workers through Open Enrollment communications.
The mailing being sent to your workers Dec. 7 will include:
Cover letter outlining the changes and new medical + prescription drug ID card.
If you have any questions about this mailing or about these 2024 changes, please contact your Account Manager.
*Not applicable to workers enrolled in Cigna HMO and Kaiser Permanente plan options.
Upcoming member communications
Here’s a snapshot of the emails we’ll send your workers this month (they may also receive additional communications from our vendors):
Concordia Health Plan
CHP members will be sent information about Quantum Healthcare navigation and new ID cards for 2024.
Mental Health
Encourage your workers to chase away the “winter blues” by using their mental health benefits. CHP members will be sent an email Dec. 30 reminding them of the telehealth mental health benefits and resources they have to support their mental wellness.