Welcome
Message from Human Resources
Helping you and your family reach and maintain good health is very important to Lerner Publishing Group (LPG). LPG 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.
Benefits Offered in 2025-26 (web-links in blue):
- Medical plan through HealthPartners
- Dental coverage through MetLife
- Vision coverage through EyeMed
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) through Alerus
- Medical FSA
- Dependent Care FSA
- Employer Paid Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and Long-Term Disability through MetLife
- Employee Paid Voluntary Life and AD&D through MetLife
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through LifeWorks (MetLife) for ALL employees and family members
- Digital marketplace that provides personal insurance solutions with InsurChoice
We encourage you to review the high-level 2025-26 Benefit Summary (link below) which gives brief information on benefits offered, carriers, renewal dates, and calendar year vs. plan year accumulators.
Eligibility
Regular employees working at least 30 hours per week are eligible to participate in benefits offered by Lerner Publishing Group. Please contact HR with any questions regarding classification and eligibility periods.
When you enroll in the benefits program you may also cover your eligible dependents.
For all benefit programs offered, dependents include:
- Your legal spouse
- Child(ren) up to age 26 regardless of student status, marital status, residence, or financial dependence on you, and an unmarried child incapable of self-support.
Enrollment
NEW FOR 2025!
Your enrollment decisions will now be made in the Paycom system, which also houses your payroll.
When to Enroll:
You have three opportunities to enroll dependent on your situation:
- When you are first eligible as a new hire
- At Open Enrollment (spring and fall for different benefits)
- Due to a Qualifying Life Event.
Most common life events include:
- Marriage
- Birth or adoption of a child
- Divorce, legal separation, termination of employment, reduction in hours worked or death of spouse
- Loss of coverage under Medicaid or state child health plan
- Gaining eligibility for coverage under Medicaid, Medicare or a state child health plan
The benefits you elect will remain in effect until May 31, 2026.
How to Enroll:
During Open Enrollment, as a new hire or an existing employee experiencing a qualifying event, you will log-in to Paycom to start your enrollment decision making process.
To access the Paycom system, please click on the Paycom log-in link below:
Medical
As a Lerner employee, your medical plan is offered through HealthPartners.
Your medical plan provides high-quality and affordable medical care. With Lerner's medical coverage you have coverage for preventive care, doctor's visits, hospitalization, emergency care and prescription drug coverage. The medical plan offered to Lerner employees utilizes the Open Access Network which is an open access provider network through HealthPartners.
Refer to the Summary of Benefits Coverage (SBC) or the Summary Plan Description (SPD) for additional coverage information.
Medical Overview
Telehealth Benefits
Virtuwell® - 24/7 care from home, work or even in line for coffee
• Easy. Visit virtuwell.com. Answer a few questions.
• Fast. In 30 minutes or less, a board-certified nurse practitioner emails and texts your treatment plan, including any prescriptions.
• Guaranteed. You’re only charged if they can treat you. Unlimited follow-up calls are free. Pricing varies by service. Illness & infections may cost $79, skin & rash cost $89, STI test kits cost $75 & $90 and hybrid preventive care is $240. Use your member ID card to check your cost at virtuwell.com/healthpartners.
Doctor On Demand - Video chat
• Convenient. Get started when and where it works for you at doctorondemand.com. Video capabilities required.
• Quick. See a doctor in minutes. Live video visits include assessment, diagnosis and prescriptions when necessary.
• Affordable
• Visit Doctor On Demand® Telehealth: 24-Hour Online Doctor.
Additional HealthPartners Benefits
HealthPartners wants health and wellness in every part of your life. That’s why they offer members physical, mental, and overall wellbeing resources. Remember, you can always log on to healthpartners.com for more information about any of the following programs.
CareLine
When you need answers to health-related questions or advice on how to best deal with an illness, injury or medical emergency, one phone call will link you to a registered nurse available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. CareLine is free to all members. Call 612-339-3663 or 800-551-0859.
Nurse Navigator Program
When you need help navigating complex health and insurance issues, call one of the HealthPartners Nurse Navigators. They can help guide you through difficult decisions to ensure you make the right choice while getting the most from your medical coverage. Nurse Navigators are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. CST. Call 952-883-5000 or 800-883-2177.
BabyLine Phone Services
BabyLine focuses on the special needs of expectant and new parents up to six weeks after delivery. Learn about healthy eating during pregnancy and which over-the-counter medications are safe. Available 24/7. Call 612-333-BABY (2229) or 800-845-9297.
Behavioral Health Navigators
Mental health and chemical health concerns are sensitive issues that you don’t want to discuss with just anyone. Our Behavior Health Navigators are staffed with professionals who can help answer questions and guide you through your behavioral health network, benefits and services. Available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST. Call 952-883-5811 or 888-638-8787.
Healthy Discounts Program
HealthPartners provides some free perks with their Healthy Discounts Program. Simply give your HealthPartners member ID card to participating retailers to receive Healthy Discounts on exercise equipment, classes, snowboard and ski equipment, spa, pet insurance, wellness services and much more. Log on to healthpartners.com/discounts for the discount list.
DIRECT PRIMARY CARE FOR MEMBERS ENROLLED IN OUR MEDICAL PLAN (MN & WI Members Only)
Brought to you by your employer, Kavira offers a better healthcare experience for you and your family. Our experienced team of clinicians provide same-day primary and urgent care via home visits and telehealth. No more trips to the doctor - all care is provided through house visits and via our mobile app.
There are no copays, insurance hassles, or surprise bills. Members can do everything online or in our app, including messaging, scheduling house visits, requesting prescription refills, and videochatting with Kavira providers. A Kavira provider will work with you to assess your symptoms and answer any questions you may have.
Kavira is the next generation of care convenience.
BENEFIT HIGHLIGHTS
- 100% Free for Employees – All care for you and your family has already been paid for by your Lerner Publishing Group
- Unlimited on demand - Kavira's responsive providers are here for you, and there is no limit to the number of visits you or your family may have
- Complete convenience - Prescriptions delivered to your home
- No paperwork - Forget filling out and mailing forms it’s all done through the app
CLINIC HOURS
House visits: Weekdays 8:00 am-7:00 pm
Virtual Visits: Weekdays 8:00 am-7:00 pm
Weekends,10 am-2pm
Dental
LPG's dental plan provides comprehensive coverage to help you and your family maintain good dental health.
In-Network Advantage
You are free to use the dentist or specialist of your choice. However, when you choose a dentist in the MetLife Network, you may save money. Using a network dentist may lower your out-of-pocket costs and can make your annual maximum go further. Please refer to the network flyer below for more information.
Out-of-network providers are subject to usual and customary fees.
The annual benefit maximum is $1,000 per person.
Orthodontia coverage is also available--for children through age 18--with a $1,000 lifetime per person maximum. This maximum is separate from the annual max referenced above.
Effective 6/1/2025, the frequency for exams and cleanings will change from 1 every 6 months to 2 every 12 months to allow members and their covered dependents additional flexibility when scheduling these important check-ups.
Please review the supporting documents below for more information.
Dental Overview
Vision
DID YOU KNOW?
- Eye exams can help detect serious eye and general health conditions sooner: high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol
- Babies should receive their first professional eye exam at 6 months
- 80% of learning in the first 12 years comes through the eyes
LPG offers a voluntary vision coverage through EyeMed to help pay for eye exams, prescription glasses and contact lenses. You receive a higher level of benefits when you see a provider in the EyeMed Network.
Review your coverage and cost details in your Benefit Guide.
To find out more about your vision plan through EyeMed click on the link below:
Vision Overview
Life and Disability
Lerner Publishing Group provides you with Basic Life/AD&D coverage and Long-term disability income benefits at no cost through MetLife. Employees also have the opportunity to purchase Voluntary Life/AD&D coverage through MetLife.
Basic Life/AD&D
Employees working 30 or more hours per week are eligible for $25,000 coverage payable to your designated beneficiary in the event of your death. An additional accidental death & dismemberment benefit (AD&D) is payable to you in the event of a covered dismemberment or to your beneficiary if your death is the result of an accident.
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.
- NOTE: Please confirm/update your beneficiary information during Open Enrollment.
Voluntary Life/AD&D
You may elect additional life and AD&D insurance coverage for you, your spouse, and your child(ren). With voluntary life and AD&D insurance through MetLife, you are responsible for paying the full cost of coverage through payroll deductions. Rate information is available in Paycom.
When enrolling during your initial eligibility (i.e., as a new hire), you can elect coverage without submitting Evidence of Insurability (EOI) for amounts up to the guarantee issue amount. For elections over the GI amount (or any amount elected after initial eligibility), EOI will be required.
You must elect coverage for yourself in order to elect coverage for your spouse/domestic partner and dependent children.
EMPLOYEE
- Available in $10,000 increments to a maximum of the lesser of 5x annual pay or $500,000
- Guarantee issue of $50,000
- AD&D benefit will match elected life amount
SPOUSE
- Available in $5,000 increments to a maximum of $100,000, not to exceed 50% of employee's election
- Guarantee issue of $25,000
- AD&D benefit will match elected life amount
DEPENDENT CHILD(REN)
- Child 15 days to 6 months old: $100
- Child more than 6 months old: Options of $1,000, $2,000, $4,000, $5,000 or $10,000.
Long Term Disability
Disability benefits are designed to replace a portion of your income if you are unable to work due to an accident or sickness. Benefits begin after a 90-day elimination period are equal to 60% of covered monthly earnings up to $5,000 for full-time employees. The benefit that is paid to you is taxable.
Additional features of these benefits include access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Will Prep, Funeral Planning Services, and Grief Counseling Support.
Access the EAP program by clicking the below link.
- User name: metlifeeap
- Password: eap
InsurChoice with NFP
All-around protection for what matters most to you — spanning the entire breadth of NFP’s focused expertise.
InsurChoice offers you the ability to personalize your protection program — bringing you quick, convenient, holistic coverage with incredible cost-saving discounts across a variety of top-rated insurance products and carriers. Our program is simple, fast, and always online. Find coverage in the blink of an eye!
Key benefits include:
- Competitive pricing: One size doesn’t fit all, so you can match yourself with the best rates and coverages from multiple insurance companies.
- Custom-tailored coverage: Select the products that meet YOUR needs & YOUR schedule.
- Stability: We have relationships with key national carriers who have a proven track record of rate and coverage stability.
- Innovation: With our innovative digital product platform we are constantly striving to add more benefits and improve your experience.
Legal & Identity Theft Protection
Life is unpredictable. You never know what's around the corner. IDShield and LegalShield provide you with access to legal and ID protection services.
Individual IDShield coverage is offered at no cost to employees who actively elect it during Open Enrollment.
Please view the costs for all other tiers in Paycom or by reviewing the flyer below.
IDShield Protection:
- Consultation with Licensed Fraud Investigators
- Privacy & Security Monitoring
- Full identity restoration
- Lost Wallet Assistance
- Fraud Alerts
LegalShield Benefits:
- Consultation on Unlimited Legal Issues
- Contract and Document Review
- Wills, Living Wills, and Healthcare Directive
- Traffic Representation for Minor or Major Moving Violations
- IRS Audit Protection
- 24/7 Emergency Access
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
The Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible expenses. By contributing to the FSA you reduce your taxable income, so you pay less in taxes — which saves you money.
Contributions:
The election you made during fall's Open Enrollment is your election for the entire calendar 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 $3,300 annually
- All benefit eligible can participate, unless you or your spouse are contributing to an HSA.
- Reimbursements allowed for unreimbursed medical, prescription, dental, vision and hearing expenses
Dependent Care FSA
- Up to $5,000 annually
- Limited to $2,500 if you are married and file separate tax returns
How the Plan Works
You must incur your eligible expenses during the plan year — January 1 to December 31. An expense is considered to be incurred when the service is performed, not when you are billed or pay for the service. You do, however, have until March 31st annually to file your claims. Any funds after March 31 unclaimed will be forfeited.
Contact Us
As you consider your benefit options, please be sure to review all available information.
If you don't understand some of your benefits or need any assistance enrolling in the Paycom system, and for all HR related questions, please contact:
Bethann Kemling
612-215-6235