April 2009-

 

 
Benefits Renewal for 2009-Benefits Renewal went as well as can be expected considering that Vz continues to change the process, just a bit, each year. This year the enrollment period changed from Oct to Nov, in part due to bargaining this past summer. Enrollment kits were not mailed out unless requested. You should have received a confirmation of coverage. I hope you looked it over closely to verify that the changes you made were in fact made, and if you made no changes, that is reflected as well. Remember what I always tell you…if you make a mistake it is your fault, if Vz makes a mistake and you don’t catch it is still your fault. You see how this works? Great system, if you are the company.


Verizon Benefits Center (VBC)-877-489-2367

 
-Verizon changed the Benefits Center number, last year. Call the VBC for any changes to your benefits. These are recorded calls and can help if there is a question about if you actually made a change to your account. When the VBC reps try to push you off onto the web, ask them “Why, don’t you need a job?”

 
-Adding newborns or newly adopted children, make sure you elect all benefits-medical, dental and vision. Members are finding out too late that one or more benefits aren’t in place. This is mostly dental and vision. Add ALL dependents to ALL benefits.

-Beneficiary forms. Please take a moment to update your beneficiaries. If you filled out an old paper copy, odds are the VBC will not be able to find it. Call the VBC and see who you have on file for life insurance (basic and supplemental). You can make these changes on the phone with a VBC rep. Provide the names of your beneficiary (SS# are helpful but not required to initiate) and the percentage that you want to provide to each. Pension beneficiary forms can be obtained by calling the VBC. Also remember to update your beneficiary with the Local. We provide life insurance at no cost to you (active and retiree). You would be surprised at how many ex-spouses or deceased family members are listed on these policies.

-IMPORTANT NOTE for Active members, Pre-Retirement Survivor Benefits. If you are an Active member and unmarried (this includes Same Sex Domestic Partners) you MUST assign a beneficiary to your Pension. If you were to die prior to retirement with no beneficiary on file, Vz will keep all money which normally would have gone to your family, unlike married members, whose spouse would automatically get survivor benefits. See your Pension SPD for more information.
-Summary Plan Descriptions (SPD). Vz has reprinted and updated many of these SPDs. Call the VBC and ask for new copies to be mailed to you if you have not received them already. When they try to push you off on an electronic copy,  ask them “Why, don’t you need a job?” Request copies of all plans (medical, dental, vision, disability, long term care, dependent/healthcare reimbursement, life insurance, survivor benefits, income security plan) Call Fidelity and request the savings plan SPD.

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Benefits Renewal is Coming- November 12 thru November 25, 2008 for Active
> Employees
> Verizon Benefits Center 877-489-2367
>
> Call Verizon Benefits Center (VBC) on or after Oct 29 to request a
> benefits package which will show your current elections and Health Plan
> Comparison Charts (HPCC). The HPCC show all medical and dental options
> available to you for the 2009 year.
>
> Important changes to the medical plans as a result of recent bargaining:
>
> The Managed Care Network (MCN) will now be the "Aetna Choice POS II". This
> change was necessary to implement a "no referral system". Beginning 1/1/09,
> if you are in the MCN, you are no longer required to get a referral to a
> specialist. With this freedom to choose comes a responsibility to make
> sure that the specialist you are seeing is a participating provider in the
> Aetna Choice POS II network. You can be sure that you will receive the
> highest level of benefits by calling Aetna member services (800-247-5482)
> to verify that the specialist participates in this plan. All doctors will
> tell you that they "take Aetna", but if they aren't participating in the
> Choice POS II you will be balanced billed, responsible for a $250
> deductible and much more out of pocket expenses.
>
> Emergency Room co-pay has increased to $25, but it is waived if you are
> admitted.
>
> Urgent Care is now covered with a $15 co-pay, in network or out of
> network! This is a great improvement. You now may go to a local Urgent
> Care facility. These are more convenient and the waiting time is usually
> greatly reduced. Urgent Care is appropriate for many conditions that you
> may have gone to the Emergency room for. If the facility is a out of
> network facility you may be required to pay up front and then put in a
> claim form to be reimbursed. You may call Aetna for an in network facility
> near you.
> Prescription Drugs- In network (please see mailing for out of network)
> Retail (30 day supply)
> Generic- no change 15% of DNP up to $25 max out of pocket
> Brand name, no generic- 20% DNP up to $45 max out of pocket
> Brand name, generic avail. (includes DAW)-30% of DNP up to $55 max out of
> pocket
> Mail Order (90 day supply)
> Generic- no change lower of $8 or DNP
> Brand,no generic avail.-lower of $17 or DNP
> Brand name, generic avail. (includes DAW)-lower of $25 or DNP