WELCOME
Helping you and your family reach and maintain good health is very important to Howard & Howard. We are pleased to offer a selection of benefits designed with your health and financial wellbeing in mind. We review our benefit programs each year to ensure we consider the best combination of benefit coverage, network access and affordability for employees. Howard & Howard remains committed to providing a competitive, cost-effective benefit program. Each year we take great care and detail in the benefit programs offered to employees.
Eligibility
All regular employees working at least 30 hours per week are eligible to participate in the benefit plans offered by Howard & Howard. New Hire Benefits are effective the first of the month following date of hire. When you enroll in the benefits program, you may also cover your eligible dependents. Dependent eligibility is as follows:
Medical & Dental: Dependent children through the last day of the calendar year the child turns age 26, spousal eligibility is as follows -
Vision: Legally married spouses; dependent children through the last day of the calendar year the child turns age 26
Voluntary Life: Legally married spouses; dependent children through the last day of the month the child turns age 26
Please review the remainder of this page for more information regarding your plan offerings for 2023.
ENROLLMENT
NEW HIRES! Action Required: You must log into ADP and elect or waive benefits within 21 days of hire.
H&H Contact for questions regarding enrollment and qualifying events:
Miranda Featherson mnf@h2law.com or (248) 723-0517
Reminder: Medical & Dental elections are bundled and cannot be elected independently of one another.
ENROLLMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
- Review your benefit information included on this site
- Log into your ADP Portal
- Follow instructions and enroll in your benefits - you must complete open enrollment even if you are waiving benefits
- Make sure to save your elections and save/print your confirmation statement.
The only opportunity to modify your plan elections for 2023 is if you have a Qualifying Life Event. These are events such as marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, loss of eligibility under another plan. If you experience a Qualifying Life Event, you may make changes to your benefits by contacting Human Resources and completing any election changes in ADP within 30 days of the event. You will need to provide supporting documentation to Miranda Featherson to support the changes based on the Qualifying Life Event (marriage/birth certificates, divorce decree's, proof of loss of coverage, etc.). Exception: HSA contributions can be changed at any time for any reason by contacting Miranda.
Should your employment end with Howard & Howard or you are no longer eligible for the benefit plans offered, your medical and Teladoc coverage will continue through the end of the month in which the event occurs; all other benefits will terminate as of 11:59 of the date of the event.
Contact Human Resources if you have questions about qualifying events.
IMPORTANT! Do not forget to use the PlanSelect Tool when choosing the best medical plan for you and your family!
MEDICAL & DENTAL
Group # 007013100 | (888) 288-1718 | www.bcbsm.com
Blue Cross Blue Shield of MI (BCBSM) will be the administrator for you medical and prescription coverage. All the medical plans offered are Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO); this means that both in and out of network coverage is provided, you are not required to select a primary care physician, and you are not required to obtain a referral to see a specialist.
IMPORTANT! Do not forget to use the PlanSelect Tool when choosing the best medical plan for you and your family!
The plans that will be offered effective January 1, 2023 are as follows:
- PPO 1250 (previously PPO 1000)
- PPO HSA 1500 (previously PPO HSA 1400)
Reminder: Medical & Dental elections are bundled and cannot be elected independently of one another.
Below is a high-level overview of these plans -
PPO HSA 1500 - HSA Seed: Employer provided HSA contribution is up to $500 ($250 in January and $250 in July while actively participating in contributions).
Helpful Rx Cost Saving Tools & Tips!
- MAIL ORDER - Many drugs are available in a 90 day supply, rather than the 30 day retail supply. Typically, you will pay less if you choose to get a mail order 90 day supply.
- GOOD Rx - There are many tools online that you can use in order to save on prescription costs. One being www.goodrx.com an online Rx database that allows you to find what pharmacy is the cheapest for your specific prescription. Additionally, you may be able to find a coupon that will greatly reduce your cost. It is important to remember that many of the coupons can only be used outside of your plan (will not count towards your maximums).
- ASK YOUR DOCTOR – Make sure to ask if there are cost savings alternatives to the prescription they are providing. Many times, there are generic or different manufacturers that will save you money at the pharmacy.
Your medical enrollment includes dental coverage with BCBSM also.
Your dental plan provides both in and out of network dental coverage. Although your cost sharing is the same in and out of network, if you do go out of network it is likely that you will experience balance billing. Dental coverage is as follows:
View Participating Providers | Use the Button Below!
- Medical Provider Search: Enter your zip code and select "Yes this is Correct" - then in the upper right corner click the orange box and select your plan "PPO Plans"
- Dental Provider Search: Select network "Blue Dental PPO"
HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (HSA)
(877) 825-2065 | www.healthequity.com
The Health Savings Account (HSA) allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible expenses. By contributing to a HSA you reduce your taxable income, so you pay less in taxes — which saves you money.
HSA IRS Maximums are as follows (any employer provided HSA funds will apply to the maximum noted below):
$3,850 for a single contract | $7,750 for a two person or family
$1,000 "Catch Up" contribution for those age 55+
?If you are only covered by the HSA PPO plan for part of the 2023 calendar year, your maximum allowable contribution is prorated based on your effective date of coverage on the HSA PPO plan.
VIRTUAL VISITS
(800) 835-2362 | www.teladoc.com
Howard & Howard provides all eligible employees access to virtual visits with Teladoc. Teladoc provides members the opportunity to receive medical, dermatology, and mental health care from the comfort of your own home. With Teladoc, eligible employees and dependents have access to board certified doctors, psychiatrists and licensed therapists 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.
How Much Does it Cost?
- Medical Services: Free!
- Mental Health: Licensed Therapist: $90 per consult | Psychiatrist: $220 first consult; $100 for ongoing visits
- Dermatology: $85 per virtual visit
- Prescriptions: If prescribed a medication during a virtual visit, applicable Rx cost sharing will apply based on your medical plan prescription coverage.
To get access to these convenient services, visit www.Teladoc.com and click "Register Now" - OR - you may contact Teladoc at 800.835.2362.
Common Medical Services Include:
- Bladder Infections
- Cold/Flu Symptoms
- Sore Throat
- Pink Eye
- UTI
- Sinus Infections
- Ear Infections
- ?Stomach Issues
Services for Mental Health:
- Digital Programs: In the moment tools; crisis referrals; recommended content; structured courses
- Remote Care: Engagement guidance; crisis outreach; coaching
- Remote Licensed Care: Therapy & Psychiatry
Dermatologists can diagnose and treat thousands of skin conditions, including:
- Acne
- Dermatitis
- Eczema
- Herpes
- Poison ivy
- Psoriasis
- Rash
- Rosacea
- Skin infections
- Plus much more!
VISION
Group # 007013100 | (888) 288-1718 | www.bcbsm.com
Howard & Howard offers vision coverage through BCBSM to help pay for eye exams, prescription glasses and contact lenses. BCBSM partners with VSP to utilize their network of vision providers, your VSP vision network is VSP Choice. You receive a higher level of benefits when you see a provider in network, however, out-of-network coverage is provided but may only be handled as reimbursements in some situations.
To find out if your provider is in-network, please visit the website below, use the CHOICE network.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (FSA)
800.732.3412 (prompt 3 for FSA) | www.varipro.com
The Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible expenses. By contributing to one or both of the Flexible Spending Accounts you reduce your taxable income, so you pay less in taxes — which saves you money.
Contributions
The election you make during enrollment is your election for the entire plan year. You may change it only if you have a qualifying life event and the change request must be consistent with the event.
You may contribute as follows:
Health Care FSA
- Up to $3,050 annually
- $610 carry over of unused funds at the end of the plan year
- If you are enrolled in the HSA plan, you will be eligible for the Limited Purpose FSA only which is available for unreimbursed dental and vision expenses
- You have 90 days after the end of the plan year to submit for expenses that occurred on or before 12/31/2023
Dependent Care FSA
- Up to $5,000 annually
- Limited to $2,500 if you are married and file separate tax returns
- You have 90 days after the end of the plan year to submit for expenses that occurred on or before 12/31/2023
LIFE & DISABILITY
Basic Life/AD&D Group # | Voluntary Life/AD&D Group #407483 | STD & LTD Group #407484 |
STD & LTD (NY) Group #407485 | NY DBL Group #407486 | (800) 421-0344 | www.unum.com
Howard & Howard provides you with financial protection options for life, accidental death & dismemberment, short term disability and long term disability with Unum.
Life/AD&D
A sudden accident or death can leave you or your loved ones in a vulnerable position. Employees have the opportunity to enroll in Term Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance which will supplement lost income in the event of an accident or death. If you choose to enroll in employee coverage, this will be in addition to your employer provided Basic Life coverage.
Newly Hired Employees (and your spouse/children) are eligible for Guarantee Issue coverage - No Medical Questions! These Guarantee Issue amounts also apply to a newly eligible spouse and/or children due to qualifying events such as marriage or birth. Guarantee Issue amounts for new employees (and their families) and for newly eligible spouses and children are as follows: Employee $200,000 | Spouse $30,000 | Child $10,000. If the Voluntary Life is not elected when first eligible, you may be required to submit Evidence of Insurability (EOI) should you choose to elect at a later date.
Open Enrollment Increase Option: During the annual open enrollment period, you will be able to increase your election up to the Guarantee Issue without proof of good heath as long as you weren’t previously declined or withdrawn.
Who's Your Beneficiary? Naming a beneficiary is a crucial part of electing life insurance. Also, don't forget to update your primary or secondary beneficiary if you experience a life event, such as a divorce or birth of a child.
Disability
Everyday illnesses or injuries can interfere with your ability to work, more serious issues can impact your ability to work indefinitely. Even a few weeks away from work can make it difficult to manage household costs. Disability coverage provides financial protection for you by paying a portion of your income, so you can focus on getting better and worry less about keeping up with your bills.
If you choose to waive the Voluntary LTD plan during your new hire enrollment, you will be required to submit Evidence of Insurability should you choose to enroll at a later date.
Please review your plan certificate for additional details, limitations, and exclusions.
VOLUNTARY BENEFITS
(800) 421-0344 | www.unum.com
Howard & Howard provides a competitive benefits package for all employees as part of our total compensation package. We realize you make benefit choices based on what’s important to you and the needs of your changing lifestyle. Therefore, along with our core benefits, we offer these additional benefits which help to provide financial support to employees. Additional benefits include:
Accident
- Available to employees and their spouse and children
- Provides cash benefits for qualifying accidents and follow up care such as broken bones, sprains, burns and more
- Benefits are paid for with post-tax payroll deduction to allow for tax free benefit payouts
Critical Illness
- Available to employees and their spouse and children
- Provides a cash benefit qualifying illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes, organ failure, cancer and more
- Benefits are paid for with post-tax payroll deduction to allow for tax free benefit payouts
- Pre-existing condition limitation: if a claim occurs in the first 12 months of coverage and is due to a pre-existing condition, benefits for that claim will be denied.
- New Hires are eligible for guaranteed issue coverage during new hire enrollment!
PROVIDED TO ALL EMPLOYEES
The resources below are provided to all full time employees at no additional cost:
- Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) - All employees and their families have access to use the EAP services through Unum. Representative who can assist you through work-life balance, stress management, grief, counseling, and much more. They will also help you find resources within your community. 800.854.1446 | www.unum.com/lifebalance
- Travel Assistance - Pre-trip planning, assistance while traveling and emergency medical transportation benefits for covered persons traveling 100 miles or more from home; legal consultation; destination information; translation services; and much more! Reference # 01-AA-UN-762490 | In US 800.872.1414 | Outside US +609.986.1234 | medservices@assistamerica.com
- BCBS/BCN Virtual Wellbeing - Weekly webinars to support you in your wellbeing journey.
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
Contact Us
As you consider your benefit options, please be sure to review all available information.
If you need further assistance, please reach out to Human Resources.
This is a high-level guide of certain benefits your employer offers. This information is intended as a general outline of the benefits available under the following welfare benefit programs offered by your employer and should not be considered legal, investment or other benefits advice. The Summary Plan Description (SPD) for each of the above Plans, copies of which are available from Human Resources, contains a more detailed summary of each of Plan. The SPD for each Plan is based on the official Plan document which may include policies, contracts and Plan procedures. The Plan document is the legal document under which the Plan is operated and contains the specific provisions of the Plan. In the event the information in this benefits guide differs from the SPD or Plan document, the SPD and Plan document will prevail. Benefits described in this benefits guide are subject to change, amendment, or termination without notice to, or the agreement of, any employee/participant. All protected health information is confidential, pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. If you have any questions about your benefits guide, contact Human Resources. If you (and/or your dependents) have Medicare or will become eligible for Medicare in the next 12 months, a Federal law gives you more choices about your prescription drug coverage. Please see the “Notices” Section in the back of this benefits guide.