WELCOME
Helping you and your family reach and maintain good health is very important to AVA. AVA is 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.
Summary of Changes Effective January 1st, 2023:
- Medical coverage premiums remain stable on average
- Simplified categories for Medical coverage
- Lower Vision premiums
- No increase in Dental premiums
- Short-term disability (STD) benefit for all employees, no longer based on years of service
- Company paid Life Insurance is 1x Base Annual Earnings up to $250,000
- Increased HSA limits
AVA 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.
Please review your 2023 AVA Open Enrollment materials for more information regarding your plan's offerings for 2023.
ENROLLMENT
All regular employees working at least 30 hours per week are eligible to participate in the benefit plans offered by AVA. When you enroll in the benefits program, you may also cover your eligible dependents. Dependents include your legal spouse and children. Children eligibility is as follows -
- Medical, Dental & Vision: End of the calendar year in which the child turns 26
- Voluntary Life: Age 19, or 25 if full time student
ENROLLMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
- Go to https://workforcenow.adp.com
- Enter your User ID
- Enter your Password
- Follow instructions and enroll in your benefits
- Make sure to save your elections and print your confirmation statement.
The Benefit choices you make during your open enrollment remain in effect for the entire year. You can, however, modify your elections under certain circumstances, called "Qualifying Events" These are events such as marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, loss of eligibility under another plan. If you experience a qualifying event, you may make changes to your benefits within 30 days of the event or 60 days if the event is due to birth or adoption of a child.
Contact Human Resources if you have questions about Qualifying Life Events.
MEDICAL/RX
BCBSM Medical/Rx
BCBSM will continue to be the medical and prescription carrier next year. You may view participating providers at the link below or consult with your existing providers.
ONLINE VISITS
BCBSM Online Visits
AVA provides those employees who are covered by one of the BCBSM medical plans access to virtual visits with BCBSM Online Visits. BCBSM Online Visits provide members the opportunity to receive medical and mental health care from the comfort of your own home. With BCBSM Online Visits, 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?
- HDHP HSA Plan: Services will be subject to your deductible and coinsurance; applicable charges until you have satisfied your deductible are as follows: Virtual Medical Visit $59; Virtual Therapy $85-$99; Virtual Psychiatry $199 for initial visit and $95 for follow up visits.
- Prescriptions: If prescribed during a virtual visit, applicable Rx cost sharing will apply based on which medical plan you are enrolled in.
To get access to these convenient services, download the BCBSM Online Visits app, visit www.bcbsmonlinevisits.com - OR - call 844.606.1608.
HSA
HealthEquity
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.
To be eligible to contribute towards an HSA tax-free, you must meet the requirements below:
- Covered by a Qualified High Deductible Health Plan
- You cannot be covered by another health plan (including if your spouse has a Flexible Spending Account)
- You cannot be covered by Medicare or Medicaid
- You cannot be eligible to be claimed as a tax dependent
- You have not received VA benefits in the past 90 days
2023 HSA IRS Maximums are as follows:
$3,850 for a single contract
$7,750 for a two person or family
Additional $1,000 "Catch Up" contribution for those age 55+
2023 HSA Maximums including the AVA Contribution ($500)
$3,350 for a single contract
$7,250 for a two person or family
Additional $1,000 "Catch Up" contribution for those age 55+
HSA Reminders:
- Money in your HSA account earns tax-free interest.
- Any unused HSA funds roll over to the next year.
- You can spend your HSA dollars on eligible health care expenses or save and investment them for the future.
- You decide when and how to spend or save the money in your HSA. The money is yours forever. It doesn’t expire, and you can take it with you if you change jobs or switch to another high-deductible health plan.
- You can invest a portion of your HSA balance in mutual funds, stocks and bonds. Generally, this option is available when your balance reaches $2,000.
- You can use your HSA to save for retirement. At age 65, you can use the funds for any purpose without a penalty. The money you take out to pay for eligible health care expenses continues to be tax free. You also can take money out for other reasons without paying a penalty.
DENTAL
BCBSM/Blue Dental
AVA offers eligible employees a dental plan detailed below. For more information see attached Dental Summary. To find a PPO Dentist near you go to: www.mibluedentist.com and select ‘Blue Dental PPO’ or call 1.888.826.8152
VISION
BCBSM/VSP
AVA offers vision coverage through BCBSM which uses the VSP network to help pay for eye exams, prescription glasses and contact lenses. 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.
LIFE & DISABILITY
UNUM
AVA 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. All eligible employees have Life/AD&D through AVA of 1x BAE up to $250,000, as well as the opportunity to enroll in Voluntary 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 the employee paid coverage, this will be in addition to your employer provided Life/AD&D coverage.
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.
Short-Term Disability
Everyday illnesses or injuries can interfere with your ability to work. Even a few weeks away from work can make it difficult to manage household costs. Short Term 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. Available to eligible employees after 1 year of service with AVA. Benefits begin on the 8th day of an illness or accident, the payout is 60% of your weekly salary, up to $1,500, for a maximum of 13 weeks.
PROVIDED TO ALL EMPLOYEES
Unum’s EAP services are available to all eligible partners and employees, their spouses or domestic partners, dependent children, parents and parents-in-law.
- Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) Your EAP is designed to help you lead a happier and more productive life at home and at work. Call for confidential access to a Licensed Professional Counselor* who can help you. A Licensed Professional Counselor can help you with: stress, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, divorce, anger, grief, loss, job stress, work conflicts, family and parenting problems and much more.
- Work/Life Balance You can also reach out to a specialist for help with balancing work and life issues. Just call and one of our Work/Life Specialists can answer your questions and help you find resources in your community. Ask our Work/Life Specialists about: childcare, elder care, financial services, debt management, credit report issues, identity theft, legal questions, reducing medical and dental bills, and much more.
EAP & Work/Life Balance Contact Info:
Phone support: 1-800-854-1446
Online support: unum.com/lifebalance
In-person: You can get up to three visits, available at no additional cost to you with a Licensed Professional Counselor. Your counselor may refer you to resources in your community for ongoing support.
CARRIER CONTACTS
BCBSM Medical/Rx | 888.486.6201 | www.bcbsm.com
BCBSM Dental | 888.826.8152 | www.mibluedentist.com
BCBSM Vision | 800.877.7195 | www.vsp.com
UNUM | 800.858.6483 | www.unum.com
HealthEquity HSA | 866.346.5800 | www.healthequity.com