April 2000 Trust Talk

Web Links
http://www.benefitstrust.org

We've just posted an OPEN ENROLLMENT section on our site, and this section will be available through May 12 (the open enrollment deadline). In this section, you'll find links to other sections that will help you with the decisions you can make during the open enrollment period.

Here are some highlights of that special open enrollment section:

Booklet Download

If your book hasn't arrived at your home on time, you can simply download it from the site. MAKE SURE you get the right book – there are two versions – one for members with less than a year of service, one for members with a year or more of service. If you're not sure into which category you fall, contact the Trust or your Payroll/Personnel officer.

Benefit Information

Information on benefits can be found in the Benefit Plans section. Changes to the plans for the ‘00-’01 plan year can be found in the New section.

Provider Information

Look in the Links section for a quick connection to plan directory information for VSP, MetLife and Cole. Each of these plans has a network component; reviewing the most current provider information may help you decide whether to keep or change your current plan.

Enrollment Information

Quick bits of info like the deadlines, what changes are possible and who gets which form are all listed in the special Open Enrollment section. Another area to check is the Open Enrollment FAQ posting, in which common questions about open enrollment are answered for you.

Forms

In the forms section, we have these enrollment-related forms: the open enrollment form, the supplemental life form and the beneficiary form. You can print and submit these forms by May 12 to update your coverage –the open enrollment form goes to your Payroll/Personnel officer, and the supplemtal and beneficiary forms go to Purdential.

AFFIDAVITS

Given our print schedule for the Trust Talk and the enrollment guides, some erroneous information was distributed in the March Trust Talk. Here's what we've decided to do with the affidavit this year:

The Trust's dental and vision plans will follow the medical plan's requirements (after you have one year of continuous State service, you may apply for dental and vision coverage). If you have a valid affidavit on file for medical, there is no need to re-file for dental and vision. If you don't elect medical, but want to enroll in the dental and/or vision plans, follow the timing requirements and use the same form as you would have for the medical plan. The affidavit process applies to when the dependent is first eligible for coverage, as well as when the dependent's eligibility is verified because he or she is over age 19.

Talk with your Payroll/Personnel officer if you have questions.

FORMS/DEADLINES

May 12th is the deadline for all Trust benefits.

When using the Open Enrollment form to add or change your dental or vision coverage, please make sure the form is filled out completely, then turn it in to your Payroll/Personnel officer by May 12, 2000. This coverage will be effective July 1, 2000.

When using the supplemental life form to add or change your supplemental coverage or that of your dependents, please make sure the form is filled out completely, and then mail it to Prudential by May 12, 2000. Depending on when your form is processed, your coverage will be effective either July 1 or August 1, 2000 – your paystub will show your new contribution in the "BT 1" box.

Mail a beneficiary form to Prudential right away if you're unsure about your designation, or if you haven't declared a beneficiary at all. Don’t let your coverage be delayed in reaching your family when they need the coverage the most.