It’s time to prepare for 2023 Member Benefits Open Enrollment
We’re gearing up for Member Benefits Open Enrollment Nov. 1- 18. We’ll send your workers a postcard in the coming days announcing these dates and guiding them to the Member Benefits Open Enrollment webpage. There they can find the electronic 2023 Member Benefits Open Enrollment Guide, an OE checklist and more! If you offer your workers the Concordia Health Plan in 2023, we’ll also send them a packet in the coming weeks with their 2023 Summary(ies) of Benefits & Coverage and legal notices.
We’ve created a webpage for employers with quick access to the resources you need to engage with your workers about selecting benefit options. Even if your ministry doesn’t participate in the Concordia Health Plan, your workers are encouraged to participate in Member Benefits Open Enrollment because it’s important for them to review their financial benefits and beneficiaries.
Upcoming webinar: Preparing Employers for Open Enrollment
Interested in learning more about the 2023 Member Benefits Open Enrollment experience? Want to get the inside scoop before Open Enrollment kicks off Nov. 1? Join us Oct. 18 for a 1 p.m. webinar where you’ll get the details you need to help your workers navigate this important annual event! During the webinar, we’ll:
Review key actions for this year’s Member Benefits Open Enrollment.
Annual Compensation Reports are necessary to ensure accurate billing and proper benefits for your workers. The ACR Online Tool will be available through your Employer Portal starting Oct. 17. You can find this tool under the “Quick Links” tab. Check out our ACR resources page for instructions, FAQs and more.
Join our team for a webinar that will provide you with all the details you’ll need to know about ACRs, and we’ll walk you through a demo of the ACR Online Tool. We’re holding the same webinar twice, so you can pick the day that works best for you!
Our payroll services provider, Paycor, is hosting a webinar and demo exclusive to LCMS ministries Oct. 27 from 1 -2 p.m. CT. Attend to hear an overview of Paycor, see a demo of Paycor's technology and learn how other ministries have benefited from using Paycor.
We sent employers and members an email Oct. 3 with a personalized link to a Concordia Plans survey. Please take a few minutes to let us know what you think about the benefits we offer, your experience with Concordia Plans and the resources available to you. We’ll send a $5 electronic gift card to the first 2,000 people who respond. It’s our way of saying thank you for your time and help. We’re asking what you think, we’re listening to what you say and we’ll act using your comments to help guide our direction and improve how we serve you.
In 2021, the U.S. Department of Education made a time-limited change to the eligibility requirements of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The change could allow borrowers to receive credit for a past period of repayment that would otherwise not qualify for PSLF. However this temporary waiver expires on Oct. 31. To find out more about this program, watch this webinar recording from the Church Benefits Association and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. We also encourage you to check out the tools and resources available from our financial partner, Fidelity.
Help your workers with concerns about the financial markets
With the recent stock market fluctuations, some LCMS workers may be feeling stressed. It can be hard to remain calm when financial markets go down but emotions run high. If you have a worker(s) with concerns, please share with them “A Dozen Principles for Remaining Calm During Stock Market Fluctuations” for tactics on how to look at the bigger investment picture, remember their long-term investment goals and handle the downs (and ups) of the markets.
Let’s get workers engaged in their wellness solutions!
Did you know that 65% of workers in the Concordia Health Plan haven’t engaged in a wellness solution this year? These wellness solutions can be the difference between staying healthy and not. Contrary to popular belief, these resources don’t increase health care premiums – a healthier workforce helps reduce costs in the long-term. So encourage your workers to take another look at all their wellness solutions, and before the New Year arrives:
Register so they’re ready when they need it. For example, if they sign up for 98point6 and develop cold or flu symptoms, they’ll be ready to text a doctor and get on the road to feeling better soon.
Engage in one of the many features of a solution they previously registered to use. If they’re already registered for Vitality, but haven’t achieved Silver Status yet, there are many ways to get to Silver before the end of the year.
If your workers aren’t sure which solution to use, direct them to check out theHealth Connector. This tool will point them toward a great place to start.
Financial planning app – BeFine – is now available for your workers
The free financial planning app BeFine™ is now available for members of the Concordia Retirement Plan! This app was created with input from LCMS workers to help them and others improve their financial well-being and lead them to retirement readiness. Be sure to let your workers know about this helpful new resource so they can get started on their journeys to financial freedom – with BeFine!
Here’s a snapshot of the emails we’ll send your workers this month (they may also receive additional communications from our vendors):
Financial Wellness Education webinar series
Our Oct. 20 webinar on “Health Savings Accounts” will be held at 10 a.m. CT and 4 p.m. CT.
CPS Survey
Invitations are going out to both workers and employers to share their opinions and experiences with Concordia Plans through a survey. The first 2,000 respondents will receive a $5 electronic gift card.
The next issue of the Benefits Connector will cover:
Member Benefits Open Enrollment.
Why it’s necessary to participate in wellness solutions if you’re a CHP member.
HSA webinar.
BeFine Financial App.
Student Debt and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Update Beneficiaries for Basic Life and the CRSP 403(b).
BeFine – Financial wellness app
Reminder that the new financial planning app – BeFine – is available to members of the Concordia Retirement Plan.
Sword Virtual Physical Therapy
Sword is offering Concordia Health Plan members the ability to enroll and earn up to $75.
Enroll and complete 1 session by Oct. 7 to earn $25.
Complete 10 total sessions by Nov. 30 to earn an additional $50.
Vitality
Vitality members still at the bronze level are encouraged to elevate their participation before year end to achieve Silver status. Data shows that active members in Vitality achieve improved health outcomes. Go for silver!
